Importance of a Manure Management Plan — How Valid’s Nutrient Recovery System helps manage manure

Valid Manufacturing Ltd. Published on 16 August 2021

In our previous article, we talked about proper manure management in dairy farms and how automation provides solutions to some of the challenges that come with managing a herd’s manure load. Now let’s talk about why an efficient manure management plan is so important and how Valid™ can help.

For a Better Future

Although stricter government regulations influence decision-making, dairy farming is a family-based industry, with land passed down through the generations. Modern farmers know the importance of adopting greener practices that will protect the land's viability for future production. Sustainable practices, waste reduction, and responsible manure management are the foundation of success for the farms of tomorrow and for the farmers of tomorrow. Economic imperatives are also significant drivers of change and dairy farmers are always seeking more efficient and effective ways to do business.

Small Farms Vs Large Farms

As all dairy farm operations are somewhat unique, so are their manure management strategies. One thing does remain consistent: a single dairy cow produces about 62 kg of manure per day. That means within 6 months an average herd of 200 head can produce up to 2,000 metric tons of manure! Unsurprisingly, smaller farms face storage issues with these types of volumes. One current solution is to have manure transported off-site, a very costly option. Larger farms may have more storage space, but they must still find ways to reduce the volume of solids going into long-term storage, particularly if herd expansion is a future goal.

The rapid pace of technology change makes investment in new equipment challenging for today's farmers, in terms of decision-making and finances. Larger farms with more equity in their businesses have an edge when it comes to sourcing financing from outside sources, whereas smaller farms may face barriers to entry. Regardless of farm size, without a solid return-on-investment, farmers cannot justify specialized equipment upgrades.

Smart Growth – Sustainability

Newer generations of farmers may continue family traditions of sustainable farming, but they are also keen to use advanced technology to streamline their manure management operations. Advancements in manure management that reduce the volume of solid matter allow the farm to increase herd size without the requirement for additional land or storage. Opportunities to transform manure into saleable by-products, such as bedding matter and fertilizer, can also translate into non-traditional revenue streams for the farm.

What is Nutrient Management

Nutrient management is a crucial factor in maintaining soil health and optimizing crop yield and quality. Manure nutrient management involves applying manure in the right amount, in the right place and at the right time. A nutrient management plan for agricultural operations must take into account the estimated quantity of manure generated in a single year. Farms are required to have an up-to-date manure management plan to receive government funding for operation expansion. It is the responsibility of the farmer to ensure the environmental repercussions of nutrient pollution do not occur.

Economic Benefits

Having a manure management plan that includes nutrient recovery provides the farmer with options that help effectively manage the financial burdens of dairy farming. Nutrient recovery systems remove the dry matter from the liquid. This dry matter can be recycled into livestock bedding, or it can be mixed into the soil if nutrient levels require balancing. Any extra dry matter that is not needed can be sold for revenue. The liquid “centrate” can be used in for irrigation, resulting in fertilizer and water cost savings. With only centrate going into long-term storage, the need for transporting raw manure offsite is reduced.

How the Valid™ Nutrient Recovery System Helps

Valid’s Nutrient Recovery System is designed to optimize each farm’s unique manure management plan. Valid’s system produces a final by-product that is quantifiable, predictable, and consistent, allowing farmers to make educated decisions for optimal manure management. The Valid™ Nutrient Recovery System is 50-60% more efficient at removing nutrients from manure than conventional separation systems. With proper tracking of nutrients farmers can eliminate the risk of excess sodium, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) washing into local waterways and contaminating surrounding land.

The Valid Nutrient Recovery System is proven to remove solids down to as low as 3% by volume. Raw manure with minimal solid content not only greatly reduces storage requirements, but lagoon maintenance is also minimized, resulting in labour cost savings. Farmers may either use the dry matter as bedding, or easily transport the stackable end-product offsite.

Valid’s team works with each farmer to ensure the Nutrient Recovery System integrates seamlessly into their existing operations. Engineered to reduce the number of processing steps, the system eliminates the need for pre-separation, thus shortening process time, and reducing equipment and footprint requirements. Valid designed the Nutrient Recovery System for small to medium herds but it can be scaled and optimized for any herd size.

The Valid™ Nutrient Recovery System is backed by Valid’s unparalleled customer service. Valid offers online remote monitoring and remote firmware updates, providing up-to-the-minute data to farmers about the status of the system's operations. At Valid, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and our service team supports farmers to ensure their Valid™ Nutrient Recovery System helps make the most of the farm’s manure management.