MICROBE-LIFT Achieves Odor Control and More Efficient Manure Handling at Wolfe Dairy, Milton, PA - Case Study
Location: Wolfe Power Line Dairy, Milton, PA
Background: The Wolfe Power Line Dairy is a 750-head dairy farm with a 1.8 million gallon, above-ground manure storage silo designed to hold six to twelve months of manure production. The storage system is 30 feet below the barn grade and utilizes gravity to feed manure to the bottom of the containment vessel.
Objective: : Ray Wolfe wanted to remove bottom solids that had built-up and blocked the flow of manure to the containment vessel. This build-up had effectively reduced the manure capacity, which had been designed for six to twelve months’ volume to only three to four month’s capacity. Ray also wanted to remove manure surface crust and to reduce odors in the barn and during land application, both of which were major concerns. He decided to test the ability of MICROBE-LIFT® /DFP to meet his needs.
Results achieved
In June 2002, MICROBE-LIFT® /DFP (dairy) was introduced to the barn through the primary manure discharge line. The first treatment was initiated following normal pumping of the storage pit pump-down. Twelve gallons of MICROBE- LIFT® /DFP were applied in the first treatment, followed by a dosage of two gallons per week for four weeks, and then reduced to one and a half gallons per month until the tank was pumped again.
Mr. Wolfe achieved his initial goal of removing the sludge build-up that prevented full utilization of the containment vessel. He also noted significantly reduced odor both in the barn as well as during land application. The use of MICROBE-LIFT® /DFP also degraded the surface manure cap of 15 to 20 inches saving both time and fuel by eliminating the need for agitating manure prior to land application. Successful liquefaction of the manure provides a very consistent, easy to apply, high value fertilizer.
