10/1/2014 Animal slurries Bio-Systems SA

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Animal slurries
What is animal waste?
In the old days animal 'muck' was invaluable. Before granular additives became freely available in
post war years, it was the only form of fertilizer and was collected and used to reinvigorate pastures
and ploughed down to supplement arable crops. Although this practice is still followed, the manure
from stall-kept animals such as chickens, pigs and rabbits, which are intensively or battery raised
has changed and is often virtually infertile. This is caused mainly by the medicines incorporated
into the feed, intended to pre-empt animals from contracting the diseases customary during
development to maturity (as with chickenpox, mumps, etc. in children). The result is that the
manure is rendered almost sterile, biologically 'dead'. The medicines kill off the natural latent
bacteria in the manure so that it does not degrade as previously. It lies on the ground and rots,
emitting strong objectionable odours in the process.
Managing animal slurries and poultry waste
BIO-SYSTEMS can overcome this problem by reintroducing bacteria into the manure, the same
varieties that were originally there, but more of them and in prime condition bacteria that have
been 'hardened' against the organic inhibitors that killed off their colleagues.
Usually the most convenient place to do this is in the wet drainage channels inside the pens as well
as directly into the slurry receiving lagoon.
1. BIO-SYSTEMS B800
B800 contains a specially formulated range of adapted high-performance microorganisms
and micronutrients developed for use in the biological digestion of animal wastes. The
biological action of B800 works directly on odour-causing compounds by initiating a process
of hydrolysis and bio-oxidation. The end result is a much lower BOD and COD of the manure
and reduced odours not only during storage, but after the manure has been spread on crop
land. B800 will also help to maintain a liquid slurry in the tank and prevents a build up of
solids. Ultimately, this saves time and money because little or no mixing is needed prior to
spreading. Furthermore, the microbes present in B800 cause nitrogen fixation creating a
better fertilizer value. The nitrites and nitrates formed are a stable form of Nitrogen readily
available to crops.
Note: Piggery slurry is especially strong and will 'burn' most crops. One of the few green
plants that will tolerate the raw slurry is kikuyu pasture, which is why many piggeries are
surrounded by this type of fallow crop, onto which the excess slurry is irrigated. However, if
untreated the fields are liable to offensive porcine smells. Piggery effluent has a high
nutritional value to plants and it is a pity to waste it. It is becoming customary in first world
countries to 'inject' it into the lower layers of top soil making it available to the lower root
zones of plants. Unfortunately this is an expensive practice to initiate as it requires
specialized tanker support and (relatively) expensive injection equipment. But once set up, it
is an economically viable process of recycling and solves many of the farmers problems
both effluent and nutrient. Also, the slurry is often sold to adjoining agricultural endeavours
who benefit from the waste product of their (previously offensive) neighbour.
2. Hard Surface Degreaser (HSDG)
Read more about Hard Surface Degreaser (HSDG).
Click on the BIO-SYSTEMS Product table for a complete list of products. Also see our
Animal slurry case histories.
10/1/2014 Animal slurries Bio-Systems SA
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Animal slurry before BS product
Animal during BS product application
For comprehensive information on how BIO-SYSTEMS can assist agricultural effluent
disposal, click on Crop processing wastes, Mechanical and chemical wastes, Rural
sewage treatment, Rural catering effluent, and Algae in ponds, lakes and dams.
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Agricultural effluent disposal at a glance
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Rural sewage treatment
Rural catering effluent
Algae infestations in ponds lakes and dams