Farmyard manure refers to the decomposed mixture of dung and urine of farm animals along with litter and left over material from roughages or fodder fed to the cattle. On an average well decomposed farmyard manure contains 0.5 per cent nitrogen, 0.2 per cent phosphorous and 0.5 per cent potassium.

Urine contains one per cent nitrogen and 1.35 per cent potassium. Nitrogen present in urine is mostly in the form of urea which is subjected to volatilization losses. Even during storage, nutrients are lost due to leaching and volatilization.

Hence, farm yard manure should not be directly exposed to sunlight. It should be dried in shaded condition.