S-1000 Regional Project
Animal Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable Agriculture
2003 Station Reports

a. Reporting Scientists and Location.
G. L. Newton, Animal and Dairy Science Department, University of Georgia, Tifton, GA

b.  Progress to Date by Objective and Task.

Objective 2, Task 1and 3.

Construction and modification of facilities for evaluating a solids removal system, an anaerobic digestion system, and hydroponic filtration of flushed dairy manure are still in progress.  While some preliminary evaluation has begun, start-up of the experimental plan has been delayed by other assignments.

Objective 2, Task 4.

Equipment for automatically moving swine feces and spreading it over a basin where black soldier fly (BSF) larvae were cultured was designed and constructed.  Two trials evaluating black BSF larvae to digest belt collected, swine manure solids were completed and one trial was completed using BSF larvae directly under pigs housed over basins that allow liquids to drain, with a second trial in progress.  Larvae dry matter recovery was approximately 12% of the manure dry matter supplied.  Comparing the manure supplied with the residue remaining after larval feeding indicated a 50% reduction of total solids and a mass reductions of nutrients ranging from 70 to 78%.  The dried larvae contained 40 to 47% protein and 32 to 35% fat.  Feeding trials indicated that dried, ground BSF larvae could replace 75% of the fish meal (10% in control diet) in channel catfish diets without affecting fish performance.

c. Usefulness of Findings and Impacts.
Task 1 and 3 research is in an early phase, so findings are incomplete.  The potential for using black soldier fly larvae to digest swine manure was demonstrated.  The potential impact of using BSF to digest manure and produce a valuable animal feed is significant, especially in areas where the coincident manure nutrient reduction would have economic value due to limited land availability for manure spreading.

d. Work Planned for Next Year.
Have dairy waste treatment system up and running before the end of the year, continue current black soldier fly trial with modifications that attempt to extend the culture into cold weather, evaluate result of completed trials, and initiate additional trials. 

e.  Publications Issued

Newton, G.L., G.J. Gascho, J.K. Bernard, J.R. Allison, R.K. Hubbard, R.N. Gates, and G. Vellidis.  2003.  Managing manure nutrients through multi-crop forage production.  J. Dairy Sci. 86:2243-2252.  (Reported as “In Review” last year.)

 Vellidis, G., G.L. Newton, and R.G. Williams. Leachate and surface runoff from multi-crop forage production. Transactions of the ASAE (submitted).

Vellidis, G., R. Lowrance,  P. Gay, and R. K. Hubbard. Nutrient transport in a restored riparian wetland.  J. Environ. Qual. (In Review).

 Newton, G.L., G.J. Gascho, J.K. Bernard, J.R. Allison, R.K. Hubbard, R.N. Gates, and G. Vellidis.  2002.  Multi-cropped forages for nutrient management.  ADSA Southern Branch Symposium.  Potential for Dairying in the Southeast–Challenges and Opportunities.  J. Dairy Sci. 85(Suppl. 1):118. (Abstr.).

Somda, Z.C., J.R. Allison, L.O. Ely, G.L. Newton, G. Vellidis, and M. E. Wetzstein. 2002.  Economic Analysis of Dairy Manure Utilization for Year-Round Forage Production. Proc. Annual SAEA Conf., Orlando, Florida, Feb. 2-6.

Newton, G.L., M.D. McCranie, V.J. Boken, D.L. Thomas and G.Hoogenboom. 2003. Agricultural Water Use Associated with Animal Production Systems in Georgia.  In: Hatcher, K.J. (ed.) Proceedings Georgia Water Resources Conf., April 23-24.

 Newton, L., G. Vellidis, G. Gascho, R.K. Hubbard, R. Lowrance, A. W. Johnson, W. G. Hudson, III, R. N. Gates, J. R. Allison, and R. G. Williams. 2000.  Using Dairy Manure to Fertilize Year Round Forage Production.  Available at: http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/aware/newton.html .

Newton,G.L.,  G.J. Gascho, R.N. Gates, and G.J. Burtle. 2002. Salt May Increase Grass Yield. Univ. of Georgia, College of Agric. & Environ. Sci., Dept. of Anim. & Dairy Sci. Annual Report, p. 49-54.

Newton, L. and J. Worley. 2002. CNMP Planning In Georgia: Calculating Nutrient Excretion on Livestock and Poultry Farms.   Spreadsheet program to calculate estimated nutrient excretion and recovery on swine, dairy, and poultry farms based on animal numbers and weights (plus some animal productivity and management characteristics), general diet characteristics, and manure treatment and storage systems. GA Nutrient Generation Spreadsheets.  Available at: http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/aware/cnmp/newtools.htm .

Worley, J., L. Newton, and M. Risse. 2003. Georgia Dairy CNMP Generator.  Windows based program for calculating manure nutrient generation, storage and treatment losses of nutrients, developing a land application plan, producing an emergency action plan, etc., and generating a permit application document suitable for submission to EPD.  Available at: http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/aware/dairynmp2.htm .


HOME   |   2003 Station Reports