ARS | Publication request: Enhanced animal productivity and health with improved manure management in 2nd Generation Environmentally Superior Technology in North Carolina: I. Water quality

Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: June 20, 2008
Publication Date: August 31, 2008
Citation: Vanotti, M.B., Szogi, A.A. 2008. Enhanced animal productivity and health with improved manure management in 2nd Generation Environmentally Superior Technology in North Carolina: I. Water quality. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Livestock Environment Symposium - ILES VIII, August 31 - September 4, 2008, Iguassu Falls City, Brazil. 5 pp.

Technical Abstract: New legislation in North Carolina promotes the replacement of old lagoon technology with new Environmentally Superior Technology. Scientists at ARS Florence Center and industry cooperators completed design and demonstration of a second generation treatment system for swine waste that can achieve high treatment performance of an Environmentally Superior Technology, yet it is much more economical than earlier versions. The system combines solid-liquid separation, biological ammonia treatment and phosphorus removal, and it produces a deodorized and disinfected liquid effluent. The second generation system was installed full-scale in a 5,600-head finishing swine operation and demonstrated for one year under steady-state conditions. Results show the effects of improved manure management (new technology vs. traditional lagoon technology) on water quality and its beneficial effect on animal performance in seven swine production buildings during one year evaluation. The treatment system removed 97.7% of the total suspended solids, 99.6% of BOD, 96.1% of TKN, 97.3% of ammonia, 94.0% of total phosphorus, 99.3% of copper, 99.2% of zinc, 99.9% of odor compounds, and 99.99% of pathogen indicators. The recycle of cleaner, sanitized water to refill barn pits enhanced animal health and productivity: mortality decreased 57%, daily weight gain increased 11%, and feed conversion improved 5.4% compared to the traditional lagoon management. These results overall show that cleaner alternative technologies can have significant and positive impacts on livestock production and the environment.