Manure

Improved efficiency in the production of milk has resulted in a huge reduction in the dairy industry’s carbon footprint, making it very “green,” said a University of Illinois Extension dairy specialist.

Who knew manure had so many uses? From energy production to bedding for stalls, there seems to be no limit for the usefulness of byproducts from dairy cow manure. Researchers at Michigan State University are developing yet another use for manure – construction material. Laurent Matuana, associate professor, and M. Charles Gould, extension educator of nutrient management, are working to develop medium density fiberboards (MDF) and wood-plastic composites (WPCs) made from the dried manure fibers from anaerobic digesters.

The process of manure management is heating up – literally. After four years of development and design, EcoCombustion Energy Systems Corporation has commercialized a manure-burning system dubbed Elimanure.

To comply with the new water quality regulation, some dairy producers in California will have to control manure production and minimize nitrogen intake and excretion in lactation animals.

Dairy producers in California have the opportunity to review the information submitted on December 2007 to prepare a new Dairy Facility Assessment to comply with the Waste Discharge Requirements (Order No. R5-2007-0035). The next reporting requirements include updating information on waste management plan (WMP) and nutrient management plan (NMP). The WMP and NMP are the most important objectives for dairy producers. In the next years they must be prepared to have sufficient storage capacity to contain all manure, avoiding any possible illegal discharge (on or offsite), and applying manure according to crop requirements.