Getting the most out of manure

Global livestock production has grown dramatically to meet the human population's increasing demand for animal protein. Changes in production systems have resulted in increased pollution to the air, aquifers, surface waters and soil. Furthermore, there has been an uncoupling of the sites of animal production from animal feed production as a result of intensive farming. This has led to surplus amounts of manure in livestock production areas.

To solve these problems, the livestock industry must develop new technologies to reduce environmental impacts of manure surpluses and improve sustainability. The REUSEWASTE (Recovery and use of nutrients, energy and organic matter from animal waste) project was established to address these challenges. Its aim is to train young scientists in new technologies for improved and sustainable recovery and use of energy, organic matter and nutrient resources in manure.

Project partners, drawn from the most livestock-intensive regions of Europe, collaborate with 13 young research fellows. The young scientists are working on developing and enhancing new and established technologies for the production of bioenergy, environmentally friendly fertilisers, and improved soil, water and air quality. Research focuses on manure characterisation, treatment technologies and management, energy and nutrient recovery, and land recycling.

Examples of work conducted include a new way to predict carbon mineralisation dynamics for large numbers of organic waste samples and new strategies for slurry acidification. The successful gasification of poultry litter and pig manure was also carried out at the pilot scale, producing char and ashes for use in plant fertilisation trials. Researchers also investigated the effect of different slurry treatments on maize production and quality as well as the drying of separated manure solids with acidification to improve fertiliser value.

REUSEWASTE provides the research fellows with a unique opportunity to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to exploit new technologies for managing animal wastes. This has included both scientific and complementary skills, such as project planning and management, intellectual property rights and patenting, and research ethics. This will pave the way for promising research careers and benefit the European economy and research environment.