What is the future of manure?
You will find that manure will be processed and recycled in many different ways in years ahead. It is being done many ways on a number of farms today. Recycling it back to the soil is the logical first phase. To do this well, a storage facility is required which allows application at the proper time during the crop year. Separation and reuse of the bedding is done on some farms. This basically requires a system with lots of water and the entire barn must be designed around the system. If a floor system is used 75 percent reuse of liquids can be attained, but 25 percent new water is required for each flush to keep separators working properly. A flush system has a severe weather limitation and works best in warmer climates. Refeeding of any of the components requires careful monitoring and must be limited to animals not connected directly to the food chain. Methane digesters have been a hope for many years. They are most cost productive when the gas can be used for heat production at the
