MANURE

Manure management are buzzwords that often bring a scowl to the face of a dairyman. It is often due to the huge costs of maintaining a manure system on a dairy, including equipment, personnel, regulatory costs, custom services, nutrient management plans, neighbour relations, odour control, sampling, maintenance, etc.

It would seem fair to say that dairy farms are beneficial to their local communities. Not only do they provide a nutritious food source, but they have contributed nearly 900,000 jobs nationwide.

Operating a biogas plant is a big commitment, but the work comes with a sizable reward. Unlike other renewable energy sources, biogas is largely independent of external influences such as wind or sunlight.

Dairy farming is a risky business on many levels. With almost every decision, a dairyman must weigh the personal, societal, environmental and financial risks. Not to mention all the potential impacts the decisions may have on the well-being of workers, neighbours and animals.

When removing manure from a storage pit, it typically must be agitated to minimize solids accumulation and create a uniform fertilizer for field application. However, the act of agitation can destroy certain storage liners if its features aren’t taken into consideration.

It may not be the most pleasant part of a dairy operation, but it’s one of the most important: What do you do with all that manure?