Thinking about investing in another manure treatment technology? Consider the answers to these questions and more before you begin.

Does my facility have physical space and infrastructure needed? Each technology has a footprint for the technology, needed utilities, staging area for construction materials, and materials needed for operation and maintenance. Know what these are before you start.

How will the technology change my manure storage needs? New surface area will generate rain runoff during normal rain events and the 25 yr, 24-hr storm event. Consider how intense storms have been the last 5 years and think through the runoff. How much additional storage will you need? Do you have capacity for that extra storage? Technologies housed in a building generate more rain runoff (from the roof). This may be able to be diverted if gutters are plumbed correctly AND maintained. If the technology generates a solid and liquid, you need to manage the new runoff from the solids.

Consider the fuel costs associated with operation and maintenance. The current thought is that California may be down two refineries in 2026. How will this impact fuel costs? Every hour of tractor use could become more expensive. With tight margins, additional fuel costs should be factored in.

How will operation and maintenance expenses be paid? Consider every component of the system and identify the associated replacement costs. Also consider costs of system down time (when the system is offline –no carbon credits).

For technologies with business plans that include sale of solids, carbon credits, or any other potential asset, are these markets solid? What happens if the assumed asset values don’t materialize? Do you get the same percentage of income, just less? Or does the vendor get “paid” first in full before you receive income? If the vendor doesn’t recover their needed income, then what?

Will the modified nutrient composition fit my farming needs?
If your manure stream is modified, where are the salts, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)? Are the ratios of N, P and K what your crops need? Will the effluents and/or solids be valuable, detrimental, or neutral to your soil after 5 or 10 years of application. No matter what your answers to these questions are, it’s essential you consider the long-term use of end products.

For additional information see our February and/or July newsletters, or contact Dr. Deanne Meyer to discuss futher.