Conducted Summer 2014 To Fall 2015
Sponsors: Healthy Farms & New Fashion Pork, LLC.
Phase One 2014: Treatment Phase:
Facilities and Pig Flow:
Three very similar Grower Finisher (GF) sites and operations were selected with a capacity for 1,000-1,200 head each. The barns were all within the same production flow, same genetic background, and used common grower finishing nutrition formulations. Each selected site contained direct access to sufficient tillable acres for proper manure applications for Phase Two of the trial.
AgraSphere:
The study was conducted using the AgraSphere by Bioverse, Inc. Worthington Minnesota. The AgraSphere and the AgraSlat use the same proven time-release microbial manure remediation technology.
Treatment Method:
The three selected GF barns each received 6 AgraSpheres in each of 2 treatments. The spheres were placed in the deep pits at least 90 days apart and no more than 180 days from the first placement. Nutrient sampling was conducted three times during the study.
Value Model:
All results were evaluated by agronomic consultants to establish the base value equations for the nutrient increases seen in the fall 2014 Pre-Pump Out (PPO) nutrient values verses the fall 2013 Pre-Pump Out nutrient values (baseline). The total amount of nutrient gained in 1,000 gallons (fall 2013 PPO baseline vs. fall 2014 PPO) was used as the main economic model.
Value Calculations:
Several methodologies were selected and reviewed for value determination. The value equation took three local bids from coop and private fertilizer suppliers. These prices were averaged and the price per pound of nutrient was established. The net value was calculated using the nutrients gained x the average price/pound = the net economic value of 1000 gallons of slurry. In this valuation model anhydrous was selected as the Nitrogen comparison, Phosphorus was a blend of 18-46-0 and 11- 52-0 to create the net value comparisons, Potassium was a combination blend of 0-0-60 and 0-0-62 to determine the value base. It should be noted that regional pricing can vary.
Trial Summary:
This trial supports original studies that the AgraSpheres and AgraSlat products produce high levels of selected soil based bacteria that captures the key nutrients for nutrient enhancement in retained manure. The cellular uptake of the nutrients create a stable natural bacteria flora favorable to enhance soil fertility and plant utilization of cellular components that are essential to soil health. The return on investment of using AgraSpheres or AgraSlats can vary with nutrition as well as the type of livestock. Typical increases of nutrient values range from 20 to 30%. This trial was considered to have taken place under ideal conditions.
Phase Two 2015: Soil and Crop Phase:
The Soil and Crop Phase will determine the effectiveness of the treated and inoculated manure from the Phase One Trial. Three similar 80 acre sites received the treated and inoculated manure from the trial in the fall of 2014. This trial is ongoing, and will conclude after the crops planted on these sites are harvested in the fall of 2015.
Healthy Farms Increase Nutrient Value
Results from a recent study validate the beneficial enhancements and transfer of essential nutrients to row crops through the use of the all-natural pit additives found in Healthy Farms AgraSpheres and AgraSlats.
N, P, K nutrient values increased more than 25% using AgraSphere manure treatment program
Total Kjehldahl Nitrogen* (N): Gain of 11.6 pounds N
Phosphorus (P): Gain of 7.6 pounds P
Potassium (K): Gain of 6.35 pounds of K*Total concentration of organic nitrogen and ammonia
Economic Value
Dollars gained in 1000 gallons of deep pit swine slurry:
Nitrogen: 11.6 lbs./1000 gallons x $.20/lbs. = (net value = $8.12/ 1000 gallons of slurry)
Phosphorus: 7.6 lbs./1000 gallons x $.20/lbs. = (net value = $5.32/ 1000 gallons of slurry)
Potassium: 6.35 lbs./1000 gallons x $.175/lbs. = (net value = $4.38/ 1000 gallons of slurry)
This adds up to a total gain of $17.82/ 1000 gallons of slurry when comparing the fall 2013
Pre-Pump Out (PPO) values to the fall 2014 Pre-Pump Out (PPO) values.
A typical 1,200 head finisher barn creates 400,000 gallons of slurry. This equates to $7,128 of fertilizer value that when applied to row crops at the rate of 5,000 gallons per acre creates $89.10 of fertilizer value per acre.