Case Studies
Sustainable Cycling Feedlot Operation
Costa Rica![Sustainable Cycling Feedlot Operation](/files/casestudy/main/9e3f3c902f04e7e868bf7795ff9af433.jpg)
Overview
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The Ganadería Colono Real S.A. farm has 2000-2200 cattle in its feedlot and is known as a producer of the gray Brahman breed. They have been working with EM technology for about 6 years (as of 2024) and it has helped them to control odors and produce organic fertilizer from animal manure in a sustainable way.
Problems
- Strong ammonia odors that can affect animal nutrition and health.
- Pest problems, including flies.
- Manure management.
- Pest problems, including flies.
- Manure management.
EM Application
AEM (Activated EM・1) is used to control bad odors and produce organic compost from manure.
- Odor Control: The entire feedlot consists of 64 sectors where AEM is applied every Monday and Thursday. Approximately 18L of AEM is applied per sector (each sector is approximately 300 square meters).
- Compost Production: A total of 120 tons of manure is removed daily and processed in a compost bin with daily applications of AEM. This material is mixed with 2 carloads of sawdust and then made into a pile in the composting plant where the process is repeated with AEM. The piles are turned twice a day with special machines and the AEM applied is diluted to approximately 40%. These piles are maintained for 30-35 days, depending on the weather.
- Odor Control: The entire feedlot consists of 64 sectors where AEM is applied every Monday and Thursday. Approximately 18L of AEM is applied per sector (each sector is approximately 300 square meters).
- Compost Production: A total of 120 tons of manure is removed daily and processed in a compost bin with daily applications of AEM. This material is mixed with 2 carloads of sawdust and then made into a pile in the composting plant where the process is repeated with AEM. The piles are turned twice a day with special machines and the AEM applied is diluted to approximately 40%. These piles are maintained for 30-35 days, depending on the weather.
![Pile of compost](/files/casestudy/detail/60853ca9fa792756e0ed38ab869020d8.jpg)
![Mixing while applying AEM](/files/casestudy/detail/1f47d7fa0c97d5382e1ea2c46d4842bc.jpg)
![Turning the compost pile](/files/casestudy/detail/8e1125653a4b4489d9799ae00e3c148a.jpg)
Effects and Results
- Significant odor reduction along with pests and flies throughout the feedlot.
- EM Technology has helped reduce the composting process time to only 5 weeks to finished product (normally takes an average of 2-3 months).
- The farm achieved its goal of producing high quality organic manure-based fertilizer with EM and received organic certification.
- They reached a total production of 400 tons of organic fertilizer per week.
- EM Technology has helped reduce the composting process time to only 5 weeks to finished product (normally takes an average of 2-3 months).
- The farm achieved its goal of producing high quality organic manure-based fertilizer with EM and received organic certification.
- They reached a total production of 400 tons of organic fertilizer per week.
![Feedlot video shooting](/files/casestudy/detail/27d3a1fb21ccaef371ece3ac91a1f666.jpg)
![High quality organic fertilizers](/files/casestudy/detail/02ddc9ee8bcd46ee11cbe5a6cf8bebd9.jpg)
![Composting Cycle Process](/files/casestudy/detail/71e6adb14e7b387b3df857a271d091cd.jpg)
For further information, please contact our partner at:
BIONOVATION S.A.
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(July 2024)