While the swine industry primarily focuses on the profitability metrics like margin over feed cost and the quality of the final pork products, there lies a by-product of production that presents both a challenge and an opportunity—manure. Often overlooked until it becomes a problem, manure management is pivotal not just for operational efficiency but also for environmental stewardship. From storage issues and odor control to nutrient management and land application, the complexities of handling manure are vast. Innovative solutions like pit additives are now changing the landscape, offering sustainable and efficient management strategies that can turn this by-product from a nuisance into a valuable resource.
Navigating the Complexities of Manure Management
One of the foremost challenges in effective manure management lies in the storage conditions and duration. Facilities must be engineered to accommodate up to a year’s worth of production, aligning with the agricultural calendar that typically permits manure application only during specific windows around the crop growing season. This necessity stems from two primary concerns: the management of solids and the mitigation of gaseous emissions.
Deep-Pit Systems: A Double-Edged Sword
Deep-pit storage, situated directly beneath the animals, confronts several unique challenges. Solids accumulating on the liquid surface can attract flies, creating a breeding ground for these pests and leading to the production of harmful gases like ammonia and sulfur oxides. Furthermore, phenomena such as pit foaming can escalate into hazardous “exploding pit” scenarios, posing severe risks to both human and animal safety.
Lagoon Systems: A Breather with Its Own Set of Challenges
Conversely, lagoon systems, by distancing the manure from immediate animal and worker environments, introduce different issues. The management of manure in lagoon systems is constrained by the limited time it spends within the barns, necessitating efficient transfer to the lagoons, which can span several acres in size. This expansive area complicates construction, maintenance, and environmental protection efforts. The gradual settling of solids affects storage capacity and necessitates periodic desludging to meet regulatory standards. However, both deep-pit and lagoon systems share a common adversary: odorous emissions. The stench, often a point of contention for neighboring communities, can lead to nuisance lawsuits and regulatory challenges, contrasting sharply with the agricultural perspective that views manure as “liquid gold.”
The Solid Dilemma
The presence of solids complicates manure removal, demanding additional, often costly, equipment. This issue extends to the application phase, where precision nozzles and injection systems may struggle with the material. Moreover, the differentiation between anaerobic and aerobic microbiomes within the manure adds another layer of complexity, challenging the optimization of nutrient value for crop production.
The Ultimate Goal
The overarching aim of manure management is to preserve the nutrient integrity of manure, ensuring biosecurity through effective rodent and fly control, and streamlining storage and handling processes for farm staff and residents. Achieving this balance is critical for sustainable and safe swine production practices.
Innovations in Manure Management – Pit Additives
Pit additives are at the forefront of innovative manure management strategies, leveraging advancements from diverse sectors such as animal nutrition, human waste treatment, and chemical manufacturing. These additives, which are predominantly microbial or enzyme-based, originate from intricate fermentation processes. Some are designed for direct consumption by pigs, providing dual benefits by enhancing feed efficiency and downstream manure management.
A notable example of this dual functionality is seen with the use of phytase in swine diets. Originally aimed at reducing the need for inorganic phosphorus supplementation, phytase also significantly decreases the phosphorus content of manure. This is particularly advantageous for farms located near water bodies or in regions with stringent phosphorus emission regulations. In the United States, for instance, states like Michigan, Arkansas, and Maryland have implemented phosphorus-based nutrient management plans, contrasting with the nitrogen-based plans predominant in other areas, which permit the application of excess phosphorus on agricultural fields.
Microbial pit additives, akin to probiotics for pigs, offer several benefits for manure management. These include facilitating the breakdown of fibers or solids, promoting a balanced microbiome for optimal manure digestion, and enhancing nutrient retention within the manure, preventing their loss as gaseous emissions or runoff. Enzyme-based solutions complement these microbial products by directly aiding the manure’s microbiome, optimizing its performance and further enhancing the breakdown and nutrient retention processes. This dual approach not only mirrors the health benefits of probiotics in animal diets but also emphasizes the environmental and operational advantages of integrating such innovative solutions into manure management practices.
The inclusion of enzyme-based solutions highlights the comprehensive potential of pit additives to transform manure management. By bolstering the manure’s microbiome and optimizing nutrient breakdown and retention, these solutions underscore the symbiotic relationship between animal health and environmental stewardship, offering a holistic strategy to minimize the ecological impact of swine production.
Introduction Formula 542 – A proven solution for manure management
PigTek’s Formula 542 is a natural, plant-based enzyme solution specifically formulated to enhance the performance of both pit and lagoon manure management systems. By bolstering the natural microbiome, Formula 542 effectively reduces solids, foaming, and crusting. This formula, akin to enzyme supplements in feed, requires a solid understanding of the underlying chemistry to ensure effective application. The enzymes in Formula 542 operate effectively across a wide range of pH levels and maintain stability under various working conditions, ensuring their continual function.
The development of Formula 542 drew on lessons from other applications and underwent rigorous field testing. One noteworthy study conducted on a commercial site in Indiana demonstrated significant results: using Formula 542 led to up to a 90% reduction in ammonia emissions (Figure 1) and a 61.2% reduction in manure solids (Figure 2). These results underscore the formula’s efficacy in real-world settings.
PigTek, traditionally known for their swine facility equipment, showcases their commitment to sustainable industry solutions with Formula 542. The product’s impact is so significant that even their own sales team, initially skeptical, became convinced of its value. Scott Preston, a swine producer and salesperson for PigTek, personally tested the product in his challenging, partially slatted small pit facility. Within just over a year, he observed a 66.7% reduction in manure solids, a testament to the product’s performance.
Scott Preston – As Aired on The Real P3 – Swine Producer and now Salesman for Pig Tek.
“When I purchased the barns, we were a little over four foot of solids in the pits. And I’d been trying for years, trying to find something that works. And so, when they brought the product to the office and told me what they were doing, I’m sort of just scratching my head saying, okay, I’m not going to believe it until I try it in my own barns. So, we’re down now to about 16 inches in a little over a year.”
Figure 1. Utilizing Formula 542 within swine manure pits reduced ammonia emissions by 85.5% on average throughout different seasons in a commercial swine operation.
Figure 2. Utilizing Formula 542 within swine manure pits reduced the percentage of solids by 61.2% in a commercial swine operation.
Ready to Optimize? How to Get Started with Formula 542
As has been explored, the innovative use of products like PigTek’s Formula 542 is revolutionizing manure management in swine operations. The significant reductions in ammonia emissions and manure solids demonstrated in field tests and through testimonials from users like Scott Preston highlight the effectiveness of this enzyme-based solution.
For optimal results with Formula 542, the recommended dosing starts with 35 gallons for the initial application in a 1,000,000-gallon capacity manure pit or lagoon. This is followed by a maintenance dose of 30 gallons each quarter, or alternatively, 10 gallons monthly. These guidelines serve as a general framework, but it is important to consult with PigTek experts to tailor a solution that best fits your specific system requirements.
To discuss a customized dosage plan and learn more about how Formula 542 can enhance your manure management strategy, visit www.pigtek.net or contact your distributor or salesman today.
