Manure management is a critical component of dairy farming, with direct impacts on soil health, water quality, nutrient stewardship, and farm profitability. While composting can reduce odors, stabilize nutrients, decrease pathogens, and create a valuable soil amendment, effective composting requires regular turning and aeration to maintain optimal conditions. At Pioneer Farm, the existing compost turner had exceeded its useful life and was no longer operational, limiting both ongoing research and farm-scale composting activities.

Through Dairy Innovation Hub funding, UW–Platteville acquired a replacement compost turner to support research, teaching, and operational composting programs at Pioneer Farm. The equipment strengthens ongoing studies focused on reducing nutrient losses, improving compost quality, and evaluating amendments such as biochar to enhance manure management outcomes. In addition to supporting sustainable dairy production and environmental stewardship, the investment provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and helps Pioneer Farm continue producing a value-added compost product for agricultural use.