A member of the Northwest Dairy Association that supplies milk to Darigold is turning manure into profit, thanks to Livestock Water Recycling’s First Wave system. By transforming liquid manure into high-value outputs like nutrient-rich fertilizers and biogas feedstock, this 2,000-cow farm is proving that sustainability pays off. With LWR’s new flexible leasing program, farms can adopt this transformative technology without upfront costs, unlocking revenue streams from carbon credits, nutrient sales, and biogas partnerships. This is the manure economy in action—where waste becomes a powerful asset driving profitability and sustainability.

Farms using LWR’s First Wave system can earn up to 3–4 metric tons of CO2e credits per cow annually, generating revenue while supporting global sustainability goals. Backed by cutting-edge analytics and automation, LWR’s technology empowers farms to lead the way in building sustainable food systems and meeting the demand for lower-carbon supply chains. With flexible leasing now accessible through FSUI, more farms can embrace this innovation, proving that sustainable farming isn’t just good for the planet—it’s great for business.

Phosphorus (P) management is a critical part of a farm’s nutrient strategy. When P is mismanaged, it can lead to over-application, regulatory challenges, and environmental risks. In this edition of Karleigh’s Korner, we’re diving into how soil testing, crop rotation, and understanding nutrient removal rates can promote more sustainable practices.

Understanding Crop P Removal
Effective P management starts with knowing how much phosphorus your crops remove from the soil. Here’s an example from a typical 1,500-cow dairy farm with 500 acres split between alfalfa and corn silage:

• Alfalfa: A 5-ton/acre yield removes 65 lbs of P per acre annually. Across 250 acres, that’s 16,250 lbs of P annually.
• Corn Silage: A 20-ton/acre yield removes 70 lbs of P per acre annually. Across 250 acres, that’s 25,000 lbs of P annually.
• Total P removal: 41,250 lbs annually.

Knowing these numbers helps you set the right application rates, avoiding over-application that leads to soil accumulation and runoff risks.

Regulatory Challenges
In many regions, regulations require P application rates to match crop uptake, with stricter rules for high-testing soils. Soil testing and nutrient planning are essential for compliance and long-term soil health.

What’s Next?
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we’ll explore how LWR’s First Wave system offers a game-changing solution for managing phosphorus, ensuring compliance, and reducing environmental risks.

Have you ever wondered about the different types of solids floating around in manure and digestate? These aren’t just a slurry of “stuff”—they’re categorized into distinct types that tell us a lot about how to treat and recycle these materials. Let’s break it down:

What Are TS, TSS, TDS, TVS, and TFS?

Understanding these terms is crucial for anyone working with waste treatment, nutrient recovery, or renewable energy. Here’s a quick rundown: 

Total Solids (TS): The big picture—everything solid in a sample, whether it’s dissolved, suspended, organic, or inorganic. Think of it as the weight of the material left after drying out all the liquid. In some labs this is also called dry matter.

Total Suspended Solids (TSS): Solids that are too stubborn to settle or dissolve, often requiring flocculation to remove. This fraction contains large organic materials, including organic nitrogen and phosphorus.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): The sneaky dissolved fraction that stays in the liquid, made up of salts, minerals, and organic compounds.

Total Volatile Solids (TVS): The organic portion of TS—great for biogas production!

Total Fixed Solids (TFS): The inorganic, mineral-based leftovers that won’t burn off at high temperatures.

Why Does This Matter in Waste Treatment?

In processes like Livestock Water Recycling’s First Wave System, understanding these parameters helps us figure out how to effectively separate solids from liquids:

TS = TSS + TDS: Total Solids include both suspended (removable) and dissolved (non-removable) fractions.

TSS = VSS + FSS: Total Suspended Solids break down into Volatile (organic) and Fixed (inorganic) Suspended Solids.

TDS = VDS + FDS: Total Dissolved Solids include both organic and inorganic dissolved materials.

Using polymer flocculation, the First Wave System captures the TSS (both VSS and FSS) to create dense, removable flocs. This makes handling and recycling much easier while leaving the dissolved solids (TDS) in the liquid for other potential uses.