Livestock waste management practices to strengthen the farm profitability

Abstract

“Livestock waste” means livestock manure, unconsumed feed and associated bedding materials or litter and animal carcasses from normal mortalities of livestock on a farm. Waste management includes the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal. Livestock wastes if not manage properly it may lead to fecal contamination of waters receiving agricultural runoff. The danger to humans lies in the possibility of these fecal organisms entering water and food supplies. Groundwater and surface waters may harbor pathogens originating from animal fecal deposits. Animal waste contains many beneficial constituents that if recycled effectively, can be used as fertilizer for crops, fodder for animals and to produce energy. There are a number of methods of livestock waste management to enhance farm profitability. Which are composting, biogas production, rotator drum composting, vermicomposting, biodynamic fertilizer etc. Composting is an accelerated bio-oxidation of organic matter passing through a thermophilic stage, where microorganisms liberate heat, carbon dioxide and water. Biogas is clean environment friendly fuel that can be obtained by anaerobic digestion of animal residues and domestic and farm wastes, abundantly available in the countryside. Biogas is bacterial conversion of organic matter in to gases under anaerobic conditions. The earthworm eats the organic matter and excretes little pelleted material called “vermicompost”. During vermicomposting, the important plant nutrients, such as N, P, K, and Ca present in the organic waste are released and converted into forms that are more soluble and available to the plants. Among all advance methods biogas production and vermicomposting are most common in India. Livestock waste contains significant amounts of micro-organisms which make it a source of major risk to the public. Risks of nutrients, organic material and pathogens containing water bodies and food products are common with increased livestock waste spread.