Manure is a valuable source of plant nutrients but also a potential pollutant. The proper management of nutrients from organic sources such as animal manures, bio-solids, and plant residues is important in order to protect our country’s environment and to have economically and environmentally sustainable livestock enterprises. Some segments of our society are claiming that there are readily available alternative manure processing and management technologies that have been adequately developed and verified to the point that they can replace existing systems such as EMS containment. However, while there are a number of different technologies and management systems available, the practicality of applying many of these alternative technologies is largely unproven at the present time. For example, many promising alternative technologies generate solids but only limited viable markets have been identified or established for the end products. This limitation significantly impacts the economic feasibility of the technology especially for products intended for compost markets. In addition, some manure processing systems have not performed well under performance verification testing or are cost-prohibitive. Other potential replacement technologies are still in field trials and need further evaluation before any definitive conclusions can be reached. The present level of research, development, and demonstration efforts, however, provides optimism that innovative alternatives may be developed and proven practical in the future. Waste management practices that generate economic, social and environmental benefits have value to both the public and private sectors. This is especially true with how livestock manure is managed on our farms. Other countries have seen what can happen to livestock production when manure from these operations is not properly handled or where livestock concentrations have exceeded local support. The choices we create and the decisions we make will determine the future of our livestock industries.