PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
RIDE … A dummy was placed out by a hose used in the manure process. During the clean-out phase, the hoses are normally pressurized. This is when an accident is most likely to occur, which this demonstration was meant to show. The hose was pressurized to 100 psi, with it being noted that most farmers pressurize their hoses at even higher numbers. The hose whipped and blew debris around for nearly a minute.
LAUNCHER … Manure equipment has been getting more involved, larger, and safer. This piece of equipment was one of many on display at the event.
VENDORS … A large tent was set up for food and vendors. Tables were placed inside for people to eat at, with vendor tables lining the sides.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The unmistakable scent of agriculture’s grittiest side filled the air at the Fulton County Fairgrounds this week, but for those in attendance, it was all about progress, precision, and professionalism.
The 2025 North American Manure Expo returned to Ohio for its third appearance, drawing crowds of farmers, applicators, and agricultural professionals from across the United States and Canada for two days of demonstrations, education, and industry networking.
Hosted July 30 and 31, this year’s Expo transformed Wauseon into a hub of nutrient management innovation. An estimated 1,000 to 1,200 attendees typically travel to the annual event, and this year was no exception.
According to Kevin Erb of the University of Wisconsin Extension, a crowd of more than 700 had already visited the grounds on the first day alone.
With roughly 250 vendor representatives from 60 companies on-site, the fairgrounds became a sprawling open-air showroom for the latest in manure handling, storage, application, and safety solutions.
The Expo began as a response to a problem. Equipment companies wanted to demonstrate their latest technology, but many traditional farm shows balked at live manure demos due to the odor and mess.
“The major farm shows wouldn’t let them demonstrate during the season,” Erb explained. “So, we created an event that would welcome it, and 20 different companies showed up.”
Since then, the Expo has evolved into a rotating showcase, hosted across North America and even venturing into Canada in 2013.
This year, the proposal to bring the Expo back to Ohio was led by The Ohio State University’s Glen Arnold and his colleagues at the OSU Extension Office. Arnold praised Wauseon for its excellent facilities and the strength of its local partnerships.
“You’ve got a wonderful fairground up here,” he said. “We’ve had great help from the local Extension office and area producers like the Fry Brothers and Jason Stuckey.”
The two-day agenda was filled with hands-on opportunities and expert-led sessions. Day one featured field tours to local farms and businesses, demonstrations on rapid manure transfer and pit agitation, a “Puck Pump School” focusing on operational performance, and a dramatic hose release simulation.
“We see more farms transferring manure via hoses down road ditches to reduce damage,” Erb said. “But when those hoses are cleaned out, they’re under pressure. We show what can happen, and how to handle it safely.”
Safety remained a central theme throughout the event. A special training session hosted by the Wauseon Fire Department focused on manure pit rescue and response.
On the second day, educational tents covered manure gas hazards, equipment securement, and nutrient application strategies tailored for crop efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Topics ranged from composting innovations to real-time spill response demonstrations. “Safety is getting more emphasis in the industry,” Arnold noted. “We’ve seen tragic losses in other states. Events like this help prevent them.”
Despite being smaller in size than some general agriculture expos, the Manure Expo commands a highly focused audience.
“You’re not going to get retirees from Wauseon and elsewhere wandering through,” Erb said.
“These are the people who buy the equipment and run the systems. It’s a working crowd.” That precise targeting has made the event attractive for vendors and applicators alike.
Ohio has previously hosted the Manure Expo in 2007 and 2016, both times at the Farm Science Review site in London, Ohio.
While future locations will continue rotating, Arnold didn’t rule out another return. “It’s always possible, though we like to spread it around,” he said.
Ultimately, the Expo aims to shift the conversation around manure, traditionally viewed as a waste product, toward its value as a critical resource for soil health, crop yield, and environmental sustainability.
“Manure can have negative impacts,” Erb acknowledged. “But the people here are investing heavily in doing it right. This event showcases how far we’ve come and how much smarter, cleaner, and safer the process is becoming.”
Whether from Ohio, Nebraska, or as far away as Connecticut, attendees left with new ideas, contacts, and a fresh appreciation for the science behind one of agriculture’s oldest practices.
As Erb summed it up, “This is the only place in North America where you can see this kind of head-to-head demo, side by side. That’s what makes it special.”