TRENDING TOPIC ARTICLE: MANURE Published: May 31, 2011 This article highlighted the AgSTAR National Conference in Boise, Idaho, in 2011, where Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy's Jerry Bingold announced a goal of 1,300 anaerobic digesters to be built by the year 2020. This would mean a digester built every day for four years. to jump to the article. Click here to learn about a new report being developed by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Bingold explains the development of digesters and why the 1,300 number may no longer be necessary.

This article was #4 in PDmag's Top 5 most-well read New Technology articles in 2011. to jump to the article. Summary: This new concept in anaerobic digestion was originally designed by researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The sequential batch reactor creates a longer solid retention time without increasing the hydraulic retention time. The average length of stay in each vessel is 3.5 days for a total seven-day cycle, compared to the 22-day hydraulic retention time in other digesters. This digester operates at 68 to 77°F (psychrophilic), compared to the mesophilic and thermophilic digesters, more common in the U.S., that run at 95°F and 131°F, respectively. The lower temperature provides an environment for more stable bacteria to work simultaneously. The energy-efficient digester boasts stability and maximum production, and it is said to be replicable on a larger scale than most. Because this article was so popular, we asked Bio-Terre Chief Operating Officer Elise Villeneuve some follow-up questions: Q: What type of interest have you received? How do you quantify that interest? A: There appears to be growing interest in the dairy sector for enhanced manure management systems that incorporate an anaerobic digestion technology.

The significant capital cost of installing an anaerobic digester can be offset by government funding and investment groups. Another viable form of funding is by voluntary consumer premiums for renewable energy. Sanders et. al from Purdue University and The Ohio State University surveyed Ohio consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for renewable energy produced by anaerobic digesters on dairy farms. “Digesters and demographics: Identifying support for anaerobic digesters on dairy farms” was published in the November 2010 Journal of Dairy Science.

Progressive Dairyman selected a few companies that specialize in manure digesters to comment on industry trends and how they are working to meet the needs of today’s dairy producers. Here are their responses: Avatar Energy, LLC Erin Wood Avatar Energy, LLC, is a renewable energy company that designs, installs and operates anaerobic digester systems for small- to medium-sized dairy farms in the U.S. and Canada. It has offices in Vermont, California and Nevada. Avatar Energy uniquely addresses three hot-button issues in the industry: 1. modularity (its pre-engineered, scalable and modular design allows for maximum configuration flexibility, providing an easily deployable and replicable technology at minimal capital expense – while producing heat, power, bedding and fertilizer to the farm) 2. scalability (hulls can adapt to variable herd sizes) 3. above ground (fiberglass hulls resist corrosion from inside, so risk of groundwater contamination is eliminated)

Biogas recovery systems at livestock operations can be a cost-effective source of clean, renewable energy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Because of its high energy content, biogas can be collected from manure and burned to supply on-farm energy needs for electricity or heating. With growing interest in clean, renewable energy, many opportunities exist for farmers to market the biogas collected from anaerobic digestion systems. Experience has shown that the profitability of biogas systems depends on the size of the operation, the method of manure management, and local energy costs.

Earlier this year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new investments in 33 states to support the production and usage of advanced biofuels. Vilsack highlighted these projects as ways the Obama Administration is working to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil by creating alternative energy sources and promoting economic development and job creation. "The Obama Administration is working aggressively to bring greater energy independence to all of America by promoting the production of renewable energy in rural communities," said Vilsack. "This funding will help the nation's advanced biofuel industry produce more fuel from sustainable rural resources, and in doing so create jobs, a new revenue stream for agriculture producers and stimulate rural economies across the nation."

Anyone who lives in or around farm country has at one time or another wrinkled their nose and said, “What’s that smell?”

Using separated dairy solids for bedding can be economically advantageous while offering a comfortable surface for your cows. Others in North America are using it, why can’t we? Because solids are an organic bedding, they have the potential to carry a bacterial load, as well as support bacterial growth if stalls are not managed properly.

As Wisconsin enters the riskiest period for spreading manure on farm fields, farmers who don’t have enough storage space to avoid spreading manure should not spread on high risk areas and have a manure spill response plan in place in case an accident happens, state agriculture and environmental officials say. High risk maps and a manure spill video are now online to assist farmers with managing manure risk.