Gas-Fired Dryer Cures Dairy Farm's Manure

Gas-Fired Dryer Cures Dairy Farm s Manure GRAIN DRYERS For more than 5 years Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy in Kewaunee County Wis has been turning methane gas from manure into energy The liquids left over are then spread on fields and the solids reused as animal bedding “They wanted to further reduce the bacteria in the bedding so they started ‘baking’ the solids at high temperatures in a natural gas-fired dryer ” says Bryan Pagel at the Ponderosa Dairy “The high heat of the dryer kills more bacteria making the solids even better for the cattle to lie on ” The dryer uses a triple-pass rotating drum system that heats to 1 000°F Four tons of manure solids go into the dryer per hour and 2 tons come out Given the quantity of gas to be used the local gas company assisted the Pagels in getting natural gas piped directly to the farm This required laying a 3-mile pipeline from the nearest existing pipeline Once the dryer was in another benefit was realized The heat of the manure dryer also kills weed seeds and the end product is almost odor-free The solids make a great fertilizer which is bagged and supplied to area gardeners While the Pagels are considering expanding to wholesale markets in the future immediate benefits are clear The dryer is paying for itself in improved animal health Pagel said We are saving a considerable amount of money on mastitis treatment and have a healthier herd Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Wisconsin Public Service Attn: Customer Service 
 P O Box 19003 
Green Bay Wis 54307 ph 877 444-0888; www wisconsinpublicservice com

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