Evaluating Environmental and Economic Benefits of Dairy Manure Treatment Technologies and Practices for Improving Water Quality
Authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) developed the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) through annual funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in support of the innovation of tools, practices, technologies, and approaches to promote the conservation of natural resources.
Project Overview
One of the biggest barriers to scaling innovative technology solutions is access to technical, third-party evaluations. In 2020, Newtrient was granted nearly $700k through the NRCS CIG to evaluate 15 technology systems and practices nationwide over the course of three years. Due to the challenges brought about by COVID-19, Newtrient was granted a one-year extension for the original three-year grant it was awarded. The objective of the grant is to demonstrate the effectiveness of these systems in reducing the environmental impact of dairy manure, particularly concerning water quality. Working closely with NRCS, Newtrient developed a methodology to evaluate these systems. The goal was to establish a process that could potentially improve access to EQIP funding for new, innovative technologies under Conservation Practice Standard 629 (CPS 629) and other related Conservation Practice Standards. Newtrient has partnered with universities across the country to collect samples, document results, and produce comprehensive reports. These reports will be shared with NRCS and the dairy industry to promote broader adoption of sustainable technologies and practices within the dairy sector.
Project Objective
This objective of the grant is to evaluate each of the 15 technologies or practices for their effectiveness, practicality, and environmental impact, particularly in water quality, with a focus on:
- Ammonia and nitrate loss prevention
- Creating a clean stream of water and concentrated usable nutrients, including phosphorus
- Active composting of dairy manure to allow for reduced tillage application, improved soil health, and better nutrient utilization
- Multicategory technologies and practices
Project Deliverables
To enhance transparency and disseminate valuable insights, Newtrient has compiled a collection of various materials for each of the 15 technologies assessed under the CIG, designed to provide a thorough understanding of each evaluated technology. These materials include the following:
- Vendor Snapshots: Detailed descriptions of vendors and technologies, including project specifics, key financial implications, environmental impacts, and Newtrient’s 9-point technology scoring.
- Evaluation Summaries: Comprehensive overviews of the evaluation’s objectives, methodologies, key benefits, challenges, and implications.
- Comprehensive Reports: This document provides a thorough evaluation of the technology component for acceptance by NRCS, in alignment with a specific NRCS Conservation Practice Standard.
- Webinars: Online presentations providing insights and discussions about various evaluated technologies.
- Informative Videos: Visual presentations offering valuable information and discussions about the technologies under assessment.
*Please note that not all technologies will include all deliverables listed above, as the content varies based on individual evaluations. Evaluations and deliverables will be added as they are completed.
Air-Assisted Compost
Vendor/System: Agrilab Technologies Inc. Compost Aeration Heat Recovery (CAHR)
Study Location: Middlebury, VT
Objective: Compared the effectiveness of the CAHR system with conventional windrows in producing mature compost that offers benefits to both soil health and fertility.
Agrilab CAHR Evaluation Summary
Comprehensive Agrilab CAHR Air-Assisted Compost Report
Webinar – Dairy Composting: Unlocking Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Insights
This webinar delves into the evaluations of three key composting methods: traditional windrow, air-assisted, and drum composting, providing in-depth insights into their respective results.
Decanter Centrifuge
Vendor/System: Centrisys/CNP Decanter Centrifuge
Study Location: Fort Morgan, CO
Objective: Evaluated the performance and water quality advantages of utilizing a Centrisys/CNP Decanter Centrifuge in separating solids and nutrients from the dairy waste stream.
Centrisys/CNP Decanter Centrifuge Vendor Snapshot
Centrisys/CNP Decanter Centrifuge Evaluation Summary
Comprehensive Centrisys/CNP Decanter Centrifuge Report
Webinar – Decanter Centrifuge: Unlocking Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Insights
This webinar presents the CIG evaluation results on the benefits of implementing a decanter centrifuge within a dairy manure management system.
Drum Composting
Vendor/System: FAN Bedding Recovery Unit (BRU)
Study Location: King Ferry, NY
Objective: Examined the efficacy of the FAN BRU drum composting technology in producing high quality dairy bedding from recycled manure solids (RMS) and the positive impacts of the process on water quality.
Comprehensive FAN BRU Drum Composting Report
Webinar – Dairy Composting: Unlocking Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Insights
This webinar delves into the evaluations of three key composting methods: traditional windrow, air-assisted, and drum composting, providing in-depth insights into their respective results.
Informative Video – Manure Management: In-Vessel Composting
This video explores Newtrient’s evaluation of an in-vessel composting system—commonly referred to as drum composting— showcasing how these systems can effectively minimize the environmental impact of dairy manure, particularly regarding water quality.
Ultrafiltration with Reverse Osmosis
Vendor/System: Aqua Innovations Ultrafiltration (UF) with Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Study Location: Middleton, WI
Objective: Assess the performance and water quality advantages of utilizing the Aqua Innovations Membrane Nutrient Management system in separating solids and nutrients from the dairy waste stream. This technology utilizes ultrafiltration with reverse osmosis without the use of polymers.
Informative Video – Manure Management: Ultrafiltration with Reverse Osmosis
This video explores Newtrient’s evaluation of an ultrafiltration with reverse osmosis system, showcasing how these systems can effectively minimize the environmental impact of dairy manure, particularly regarding water quality.
Vermifiltration
Vendor/System: BioFiltro – BIDA® System
Study Location: Royal City, WA
Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of the vermifiltration system, analyzing its nutrient reduction capabilities, to provide valuable insights into the potential of the technology as a sustainable solution for managing wastewater in large scale agricultural operations.
BioFiltro – BIDA® System Vendor Snapshot
BioFiltro – BIDA® System Evaluation Summary
Comprehensive BioFiltro – BIDA® System Report
Informative Video – Manure Management: Vermifiltration
This video explores Newtrient’s evaluation of a vermifiltration technology, showcasing how these systems can effectively minimize the environmental impact of dairy manure, particularly regarding water quality.