Page 15 - Dairy Dimenison Aug-Sep24

| Volume 1 | Issue 1 | Jul-Aug 2024 R&D

Revolutionizing Manure

Management: Research Aims

for Cleaner Farms and Better

Dairy Economics

infections in cows, negatively affecting milk quality and
quantity.
Anaerobic digestion, which generates biogas from
manure, is another approach some farmers have tried.
While this method reduces environmental impact and
produces bioenergy, the presence of recalcitrant
lignocellulosic material in manure limits biogas
production efficiency and can be economically
unfeasible for many farmers.
Ahring's team will test a pre-treatment technology
designed to improve the carbon conversion efficiency of
anaerobic digestion. This process could potentially
increase biogas production by up to 100% and enhance
carbon conversion efficiency to 80%, compared to the
50% achievable with conventional methods. The pre-
treatment is also expected to sanitize manure solids,
The Washington State Conservation Commission has making them safe for use as bedding material.
awarded researchers at Washington State University Tri- To assess the impact of this pre-treatment on infectious
Cities a USD 200,000 grant to test an innovative manure microbes, Ahring is collaborating with Craig McConnell,
management process. This new method holds promise an associate professor at WSU Pullman and director of
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting costs for the veterinary medicine extension.
dairy farmers, and improving cow health.
The goal of this project is to reduce methane and
“This research aims to enhance both local and global greenhouse gas emissions by producing renewable
agriculture by advancing manure management natural gas for the grid, while also improving milk
techniques,” said Birgitte Ahring, a WSU Tri-Cities production economics through better cow health and EVENT PARTNER for Da ry
professor specializing in biomass conversion and reduced infections. INDUSTRY EXP 2024
anaerobic digestion. “We hope this research will The Farming & Processing Event
demonstrate significant benefits and address key As part of the grant, Ahring and McConnell will share Visit us at Stall No. A-65 on 24-26 October 2024 at Auto Cluster Exhibition Center, Pune
challenges faced by dairy farmers.” their findings with Washington dairies and relevant
industries in June 2025.
Cow manure is a significant source of greenhouse gases,
including carbon dioxide and methane. Traditionally, “We hope that demonstrating the positive economic and
dairies manage manure by storing it in ponds or lagoons environmental impacts of this technology will encourage
before spreading it as fertilizer. This approach not only wider adoption and implementation,” Ahring said. The
emits greenhouse gases but can also lead to Washington State Conservation Commission is dedicated
contamination of water sources. to conserving natural resources across the state through
collaborative, incentive-based programs with
Some large dairies have adopted a method of separating conservation districts and other partners.
manure solids using screw presses, which are then used
Source: Washington State University
as bedding material. However, this can sometimes cause

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