36 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN April/May 2024 “It’s similar to a slurry. You put the manure in and add water,” Li says. “The microbes in beef cattle manure are very good at breaking down organic molecules, producing methane and other gases. From there, there are different ways to recover the biogas.” METHANE EMISSION MANAGEMENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 tency of dairy cattle manure compared to the consistency of open lot beef cattle manure is one of the reasons methane digesters are popular in the industry. “When you’re talking about confinement dairies, they’re collecting the same amount of manure under a roof daily,” Wedel says. “The manure will be the same quality and quantity day to day, which is well suited for anaerobic digestion.” Benefi ts Feedlots that are considering expansion or looking to build new pens could benefit from this method. “There are environmental and economic benefits to implementing methane digesters on a beef cattle operation,” Stowell says. “Using biofuels to meet energy needs on a feedlot can offset the use of fossil fuels.” Another benefit for producers is reducing their carbon footprint, which could lead to marketing bonuses. “Methane emitted from manure can account for a significant portion of the total methane emissions from beef cattle,” Li says. “So, if methane isn’t emitted from manure but collected instead, that will help producers reduce the carbon footprint of their beef.” Currently, methane digesters are highly popular in the dairy industry, and there are several reasons why it is successful. “The dairy industry stores most of their manure in pits, and it isn’t exposed to air,” Stowell says. “Because of that, the anaerobic bacteria digest the manure and produce methane.” Andrew Wedel, director of innovation and sustainability at Settje Agri-Services and Engineering, says the consis- “There are environmental and economic benefits to implementing methane digesters on a beef cattle operation.” –Rick Stowell Celebrating 34 Years! OCC - The “Original” Program OHLDE CATTLE CO. Tim, Trudy, Jake & Jordon Ohlde 1362 2nd Rd | Palmer, KS 66962 Tim Cell: 785.630.0523 | Trudy Cell: 785.630.0522 OHLDECATTLE.COM ® Basic Blacks and Angus II are trademarks of Ohlde Cattle Co. OCC PAXTON 730P Progeny proves he’s one of the best bulls in the Angus breed. Reg # 14940735 CED +13 • BW -1.2 • WW +42 • YW +70 $EN +23 Top 2% OCC EMBLAZON 854E An “Industry Standard” for siring predictability and uniformity. Reg # 12514348 CED +12 • BW +.3 WW +44 • YW +71 $EN +19 Top 4% Increase cow Herd ProfIts by rofIts by REDUCING INPUT COSTS - $EN 100Two-Year-Old Bulls 80 Registered & Commercial Females 1pm CST at the Ranch, Palmer, KS APRIL 15, 2024 Selling On more than 30 OCC bulls that are breed-leading sires combining Calving-Ease, Performance, $EN and TRUE fleshing ability. Linebred for Maternal Efficiency, Longevity, Performance, & Predictable Uniformity! 9 Year Old Cow 10 Year Old Cow 6 Year Old Cow Semen Available Basic Blacks SALE BULL & FEMALE Saving America’s Cowherds OHLDE CATTLE CO.
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