Algae grown from surplus manure on dairy farms presents an alternative source of bioenergy and opportunity to lower dairy farms' environmental impact by increasing on-farm nutrient utilization. Biofuel demand is rising, and this alternative algal biomass could create a win-win relationship between commercial algae growers who need affordable sources of fertilizers and the dairy farmers who need outlets for their manure. A review in the journal Algal Research discussed the feasibility of algae grown from dairy, swine and poultry manure water. The conclusion was that manure, runoff and drainage water contained enough nutrients to facilitate algal growth.
Algal biomasses can serve a number of purposes that include creating an additional revenue source for dairy farmers through exporting algae off the farm or by lowering dairy operating costs through using algae for feed, compost or fertilizer.Variable nutrient concentrations in wastewater slurries present management issues, but with careful nutrient management strategies, algal biomasses can generate another revenue source for dairy farms.
Article specifics:
Fenton O, Ó hUallacháin D. Agricultural nutrient surpluses as potential input sources to grow third generation biomass (microalgae): A review. Algal Research. 2012;1(1):49-56.
Click here to read the article's abstract. PD
—From Dairy Research Insights
