INTRODUCTION
Livestock confinement facilities generate large quantities of animal waste that must be properly managed (see map below). If handled properly, the organic materials and fertilizer nutrients contained in manure can be used to enhance soil fertility. However, this concentrated waste product, even in small amounts, can be environmentally detrimental if it makes its way into surrounding rivers and streams. Groundwater supplies can also become polluted if untreated manure reaches the watertable.
One viable alternative for treatment of livestock waste is anaerobic digestion. This process, also called methane recovery, allows the producer to control manure disposal through microbial action, which breaks down the raw manure, and releases the methane gas as an energy source. Such waste treatment becomes a value-added process by allowing dividends from energy production, and creating soil building byproducts in the form of liquids and biosolids.
The recovery and use of methane (biogas) can have benefits to both the livestock producer, and allows the local electric power supplier to support rural economic development, and protect the environment. The electric company or rural electric cooperative has the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with farm customers, and have a "green power" source to sell to customers wishing to support renewable energy. Spend some time at this site to gain a clearer understanding of methane recovery, and how it may be of benefit to you.
Anaerobic digestion can be applied to any size of operation for waste treatment and odor control. If energy recovery (biogas) is the primary concern, then size of operation becomes important. For consistent energy recovery, livestock facilities should operate with a minimum of 300 dairy or beef animals, or 2000 swine. These animals should be in confinement where 100% of the waste can be collected on a regular basis. |
