US scientists develop new system to control swine manure pollution

Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and cooperators have developed a system to control pollutants from swine farms.

 

Soil scientists Matias Vanotti and Ariel Szogi worked with Super Soil Systems USA of Clinton, N.C., to develop a second-generation system that met North Carolina's environmental standards for manure management.

 

The new system was two-thirds less expensive to build and operate than the first-generation system tested in 2003.

 

The new on-farm treatment system used solid-liquid separation and nitrogen and phosphorus removal processes. It removed high levels of several pollutants from manure wastewater, including nearly all of the pathogens, odour-causing agents. Replacing anaerobic-lagoon-based systems with the new technology also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 97 percent.

 

The system also reportedly benefits animal health and production, as swine daily weight gain increased, feed conversion improved, mortality decreased and 5.6-percent more hogs were sold per growing cycle.

 

Separated manure solids were converted in a centralised facility into composted materials and used for organic plant fertiliser, soil amendments and plant growth media. Producers can also profit from the new system by selling greenhouse gas emission reduction credits and water quality credits.

 

The new technology could also help swine-producing states protect existing jobs and keep the door open for future job expansion.