One out of every three gallons of manure produced in Wisconsin is applied by a custom manure applicator. As of December 2006, there are just under 100 for-hire manure applicators in the state—the smallest handle less than 500,000 gallons each year, the largest over 400 million gallons annually.

A recent informal survey of Wisconsin’s applicators showed that less than 3% of farmers are showing the applicator a copy of their nutrient management plan. A slightly greater percentage relies on the custom applicator to suggest a manure rate for a particular field. The vast majority of rate determinations are made by the farmer (who may or may not be relying on their crop consultant for advice).