Benefits of Manure Separation and Composting

With their recent experience, Mackay Equipment has found the initial, and likely most important step in the system, is separation. The manure harvester features a static screen/roller press which separates the solid portion from the liquid in hog and dairy waste.

The benefits of separating far outweigh the traditional system of manure handling. Separating eases the challenge of storing manure and applying the product on the land base. This reduces energy costs as well as man-hours needed to spread and reduces the maintenance costs of application equipment. Separating also more easily complies with government regulations, as opposed to traditional methods. Separating effectively allows producers to better control nutrients in both solids and liquids which help to optimize crop yields, manage input costs, and protect soil and water resources. This was not easily controlled when managing waste in the traditional method.

When separating livestock waste, the solids and liquids are handled separately. The solids can be piled for later use. This can consist of simply spreading the solids on the land or for economic benefits such as composting. The liquids can be stored in the liquid storage facility where requirements are reduced. The solids build-up in the lagoon is also no longer a problem and less horsepower is required for agitation and pumping it.

Composting is a benefit to livestock producers. The composting of separated solids creates another income source from the animals and can assist in crop yields. Composting is chemical free, all natural, free of odour, free of pathogens, and free of weeds and seeds. There are many resources available showing the benefits and instructions to create compost. A few websites to look at are:

www.compost.org
www.homecompost.com
www.afns.ualberta.ca/wcds/wcd99/chap32.htm

Back to news...