Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, the boldest
voice in dairy farming innovation. I'm your host,
bringing you cutting edge insights that challenge
conventional wisdom and drive industry progress.
On today's episode, we're diving deep into the
world of dairy farming. to explore strategies,
innovations, and opportunities that can transform
your operation. From breakthrough management
techniques to market analysis that matters, The
Bullvine delivers content that's both provocative
and practical. Stay tuned as we bring you conversations
with industry leaders, innovative farmers, and
agricultural experts who aren't afraid to speak
the truth about what's really happening in dairy
farming today. You know, sometimes it feels like
we're so laser -focused on the milk checks and
keeping the cows happy, which, let's be honest,
is a full -time job in itself. It really is.
That we might be overlooking some pretty significant
opportunities lurking right under our boots.
Or, well, maybe under the Holsteins. Huh. Yeah.
Good point. And today, we're taking a good, hard
look at something every dairy farmer deals with.
365. Manure. The inevitable byproduct. Exactly.
But instead of just seeing it as, you know, the
smelly stuff, we have to shovel the regulations,
the neighborly waves that suddenly stop. Yeah,
the headaches. What if we started viewing it
as a serious, untapped profit center? That's
the smart way to look at it. For too long, manure
has been in the problem column, right next to
fly control and broken equipment. But when you
really dig into the numbers and the science behind
it, you realize there's a whole lot of potential
just sitting there. In those piles. Yeah. We're
talking about a chance to really shake things
up economically on your farm. Shake things up
is right. The information we've been pouring
over, it really grabbed my attention right out
of the gate. Oh, yeah. What specifically? It
suggests that a dairy with around 100 cows could
be, and this is a quote, flushing away $15 ,000
every single year. Wow. $15 ,000. Just by not
being strategic. about composting their manure.
15 grand, that's a down payment on a new tractor
or a seriously nice vacation. Or just helps pay
the bills. It's significant. It's definitely
not something to just ignore. Exactly. And when
you start to break down where that lost money
is going and how composting can actually, you
know, plug those leaks, it becomes a pretty compelling
story. Back in 2012... The University of Wisconsin
Extension did some solid work on this. Right,
saw that. They found that a significant chunk,
69 % of farms that got serious about nutrient
management, and that often includes composting,
actually saw their bottom line improve. Okay,
so a clear benefit. Yeah, and the average savings,
around $18 per acre. Now, for anyone running
a decent -sized operation, that adds up fast.
$18 an acre. Right. Yeah, that's real money staying
right where it belongs in your pocket. Precisely.
Absolutely. And it's not just about cutting down
on disposal headaches, is it? It sounds like
it's about flipping the whole equation. That's
the exciting part. Taking something that costs
you time and money and turning it into something
that actually generates income. We've got the
prime example here of Bill McPhee from McPhee
Farms in Michigan. He seems like a case study
in this. He really does. He initially got into
composting because he had to. Thanks to those
CAFO regulations. Right. The confined animal
feeding operation rules. So compliance. It started
as a compliance thing. But here's where it gets
really interesting. He now sells his extra compost.
Sells it. For how much? For a good $20 a ton.
So something that began as a regulatory hurdle
has become a genuine way to boost his farm's
revenue. You have to love that kind of resourceful
thinking, turning a problem into a product. It's
a fantastic illustration of a proactive approach
paying off, and it highlights a crucial shift
in how we think about manure. Instead of just
seeing it as something to get rid of as cheaply
as possible, smart operators are recognizing
its inherent worth. As a soil builder. Like fertilizer,
basically. Exactly. Joe Lower, a fifth generation
dairy farmer in Wisconsin, put it perfectly,
he considers animal manure his base fertilizer.
His base fertilizer. Yeah. I like that. Yeah.
And anything else he buys is just to fine tune
things. This philosophy has allowed him to seriously
cut back on his reliance on those pricey commercial
fertilizers. Makes sense. And thinking bigger.
This kind of diversification of income, you know,
beyond just milk sales. It's a smart move for
any farm's long -term stability. And the science
backs up Joe's approach, right? There's that
Journal of Environmental Quality Review. Yeah,
in 2019, a comprehensive review. It found that
farms managing their nutrients effectively, and
again, composting often plays a big role here,
they were able to decrease their nitrogen applications
by an average of 54 pounds per acre. 54 pounds,
okay. And phosphorus by 32 pounds per acre. And
here's... The kicker. No yield loss. Exactly.
They didn't see any drop in their yields. That's
like getting the same results while spending
less a farmer's dream. It really is. Precisely.
So when you do the simple math, it really adds
up. You're shelling out less for those bags of
fertilizer. Right. And in some cases, like Bill
McPhee, you're actually bringing in extra cash
by selling the compost you produce. That's a
significant annual financial upside that a lot
of farms are currently leaving on the table.
We're not just talking about small change here.
Not at all. We're talking potentially thousands,
even tens of thousands, depending on the scale.
Now, let's wade into a topic that can often feel
like navigating a minefield for dairy farmers.
Regulations. Ah, yes. the r word it can seem
like there's always a new rule book landing on
the doorstep a new restriction to figure out
but our sources suggest that getting into composting
can actually help us stay ahead of the game here
absolutely and that's a key perspective shift
instead of looking at regulations as just another
burden which is easy to do it is but think of
them as potential drivers for innovation and
maybe even a way to gain a real advantage how
so an advantage well Nutrient runoff from agricultural
land is a major concern for environmental regulators.
It's a problem that's only going to get more
attention and likely stricter rules down the
line. Especially around water quality. Definitely.
So by adopting efficient nutrient management
practices like composting, farms can proactively
address these environmental concerns. They position
themselves favorably before those regulations
get tighter. Staying ahead of the curve. Exactly.
This proactive approach can not only keep you
on the right side of the law, but also demonstrate
to the public that you're taking environmental
responsibility seriously. And that's increasingly
important today. We even have a fantastic little
story from Joel Wuerr that really brings this
point home. Oh, the fish story. Yeah. He was
genuinely thrilled when environmental officials
found sensitive fish species thriving in the
stream that runs through his farm. I mean, what
better proof could you ask for? Right. Your nutrient
management system is working and keeping the
regulatory folks happy. It's a real win -win.
Absolutely. Healthy environment, happy regulators,
and peace of mind for the farmer. It truly is.
That kind of tangible ecological evidence speaks
volumes. They can definitely smooth things over
with regulatory agencies. For sure. Now, the
information we have does acknowledge that the
initial costs and... putting these systems in
place can sometimes be a hurdle. Especially for
smaller farms. Particularly for smaller family
farm operations, yeah. But Karen Scanlon from
the Innovation Center for U .S. Dairy makes a
really important point. The industry is actively
looking for ways to make these solutions more
economically feasible for farms of all sizes.
So collaboration and innovation are ongoing.
Right. The key message here is that taking a
proactive stance on smart manure management is
crucial, no matter the scale of your operation.
Don't wait until you're forced. Pretty much.
Waiting until you're forced to act by regulations
might mean missing out on the early benefits
and potentially facing steeper learning curves,
maybe even penalties. Okay, so we've talked about
the financial perks and how it can help with
the regulatory side of things. But there's another
piece of the puzzle that I know weighs heavily
on many farmers' minds. Being good neighbors.
Exactly. Let's be frank, those familiar farm
aromas, well, they can sometimes ruffle a few
feathers in the surrounding community. That's
the elephant in the room, isn't it? Or maybe
the cowpat in the pasture. Yeah. Unfortunately,
manure odors are often a primary source of complaints
from folks living nearby. It's a major pain point.
However, composting offers a significant and
very real solution to this very issue. How does
it help with the smell? The composting process
itself naturally breaks down many of the volatile
organic compounds. Those are the things responsible
for those less than pleasant smells. So it actually
eliminates the odor -causing stuff. Yeah, it's
like a natural air freshener working from the
inside out of the manure pile. The microbes do
the work. So by composting, we're not just being
better environmental stewards. We're also being
better members of our community. Absolutely.
That has to make a big difference in neighborly
relations, right? You'd think so. It really can
shift how the farm is perceived, transforming
its image from potentially being seen as, well,
a nuisance. A neighborhood villain. Maybe, yeah.
To being recognized as a sustainability champion
within the local area. That's a powerful shift.
And it's not just about the smell. Remember the
heat generation. Right, the composting gets hot.
As the manure undergoes composting at those higher
temperatures, the information mentions 120 degrees
air to 140 degrees air at McPhee Farms. That's
pretty warm. It is. It also effectively eliminates
many of the pathogens and those persistent weed
seeds. So it cleans it up, too. Exactly. This
results in a much cleaner, more stable end product,
which is something that neighbors concerned about
their own gardens and the general environment
can certainly appreciate. It's a tangible benefit
that extends beyond the farm gates. All right.
Let's get down to the nitty gritty details. For
those listening who might be thinking, OK, this
all sounds promising, but how does this composting
magic actually happen? Let's dig into the basic
science. OK. At its heart, composting is a natural
biological process. Simple as that, really. Nature
doing its thing. Pretty much. It's the conversion
of raw manure into a stable and incredibly useful
soil amendment, thanks to a whole army of beneficial
microorganisms. And microbes. These tiny but
mighty workers break down the organic matter
in the manure, and as they go about their business,
they generate heat as a byproduct. That's the
key to killing the bad stuff. That's what takes
care of those pesky pathogens and weed seeds
we've been talking about. This breakdown process
also significantly reduces those odor -causing
compounds, making the end result much more agreeable.
So it's controlled decomposition. Think of it
that way, yeah. We're harnessing nature's recyclers,
bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes to create something
valuable. Each has its role breaking down different
parts of the manure. We also have a mention here
from Joe Lower about his approach to cropping,
specifically the importance of leaving roots
in the soil every day of the year. How does that
tie in? Joe's approach is really insightful.
It shows a holistic understanding of soil health.
Keeping something growing all the time. Exactly.
By using cover crops like wheat and other crops
harvested for feed, he's creating a continuous
cycle of nutrient uptake and release. How does
that help? These living roots help improve soil
structure, they enhance water infiltration and
retention, and they prevent erosion. Big benefits
right there. And for the microbes. They also
keep the soil microbiome active, which complements
the benefits of adding compost. Plus, having
living roots in the ground for more of the year
expands the window of opportunity for applying
the composted manure. Ah, because the soil is
healthier and ready for it. Right. The soil is
more resilient and better able to utilize those
nutrients. It's a system where the plants and
the soil work with the manure management practices.
And speaking of the finished product, the compost
itself, our information gives us some example
figures for the nutrient content. Yeah, the analysis.
We're seeing things like nitrogen at 1 .8%, phosphorus
at 0 .9%, potassium at 1 .5%, and so on. Plus
the CN ratio and pH. Why is this kind of detail
so valuable? This detailed nutrient profile is
incredibly valuable. It allows for much more
precise nutrient management planning. Moving
beyond guesswork. Totally. Instead of just guessing
what's in their manure, farmers have actual data.
This means they can tailor their compost applications
to the specific needs of their fields. Optimizing
for crops. Right. Optimizing plant growth and
further reducing the need to buy commercial fertilizers.
It's about moving from a potentially hit -or
-miss approach to a science -based strategy.
Applying the right stuff in the right amounts
at the right time. That's the goal. Maximizing
efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.
That CN ratio, for instance, tells you about
the balance for the microbes. Too low or too
high, and the process slows down. And the pH
affects nutrient availability for the plants.
Correct. So knowing those numbers is key to getting
the most value. We've touched on Bill McPhee
and McPhee Farms a few times now, but their experience
really seems to be a textbook example of how
to make this work successfully. Let's delve a
little deeper there. Absolutely. What's really
significant about McPhee's story, as we mentioned,
is his initial push wasn't some deep -seated
environmental mission. It was the regulations.
It was the need to comply with regulations. This
really underscores the practical bottom line
motivation for many farmers when they first start
looking at composting. Makes sense. It has to
work financially. But what's inspiring is that
the benefits he's seen have gone way beyond just
satisfying the regulators. It shows how a requirement
can evolve into a real advantage. So walk us
through their composting process. What does it
actually look like on the farm? Okay. They start
by collecting the manure and the bedding material,
things like leaves and straw. Mixing it all together.
Yeah, and they arrange it into long, elevated
piles called windrows. Got it. Like long mounds.
Exactly. The really crucial part of their method
is that they turn these piles regularly using
a compost turner. Why is the turning so important?
Oxygen. This turning action introduces oxygen
into the heart of the pile. That's essential
for the aerobic microorganisms, the good guys,
to thrive and efficiently break down the organic
matter. And without oxygen. Without enough oxygen,
anaerobic conditions can develop. That leads
to those strong unpleasant odors and a much slower
decomposition rate. So turning equals faster
composting and less smell. Pretty much. And remember
that volume reduction. This regular turning,
as we noted, led to at least a 60 % reduction
in their manure volume. 60 %? Yeah. That makes
handling, storing, transporting much easier.
Much more efficient, yeah. And it's not just
for spreading on their own fields, right? They've
found other clever ways to utilize this composted
material. Exactly. They've tapped into that new
revenue stream by selling the surplus compost.
to other farmers, even local gardeners. But they
also use their compost turner in other innovative
ways, like drying bedding packs in their barns
and pastures. Drying the bedding. How does that
help? Improves the comfort and hygiene for their
livestock, which can have a direct positive impact
on animal health and productivity. Healthier
cows, potentially more milk. It all connects.
And what's particularly forward -thinking is
that Bill McPhee is even exploring using the
finished compost itself as bedding material.
Really? Compost is bedding. Yeah, he noted its
consistency and comfort levels seem comparable
to sawdust. It really showcases the versatility
of this resource. From waste product to potential
bedding, that's quite a transformation. It really
is. The information we have also provides some
interesting data comparing manure production
rates and nutrient concentrations based on different
housing systems. Right, tie stall versus free
stall. Yeah, it gives figures for kilograms per
day per animal and nitrogen and phosphorus levels.
Why is this kind of data important for our listeners?
This kind of data provides farmers with valuable
benchmarks. It helps them understand the typical
volume and nutrient content they're dealing with
based on their specific housing system. So knowing
your starting point. Exactly. It's fundamental
when you're considering setting up a composting
operation. Knowing roughly how much manure you're
producing and its initial nutrient load. Helps
you figure out the scale needed. Right. How much
land you'll need for composting and storage.
The potential volume and nutrient content of
the finished compost you can expect. It's about
realistic planning. Of course, any new system
or practice on a farm is bound to come with its
set of challenges. What are some common hurdles
farmers might face when they start composting?
Moisture management is often the first significant
learning experience. Bill McPhee himself mentioned
this. Getting the balance right. Absolutely crucial.
If the pile gets too wet, too saturated, it can
quickly turn anaerobic. Meaning bad smells and
slow decomposition. Exactly. Those really strong
putrid smells. On the other hand, if the pile
is too dry, the microbial activity just grinds
to a halt. Composting takes much longer. So monitoring
moisture is key. Consistently monitoring and
adjusting the moisture content is a skill you
have to develop. And we can't forget about the
unpredictable nature of the weather, can we?
Never. That's a factor every farmer deals with
constantly. How does weather impact composting?
Well, heavy rainfall can overwhelm uncovered
piles. That can lead to leaching of valuable
nutrients, potential runoff issues. Which brings
back the regulatory concerns. Right. Conversely,
extended periods of freezing temperatures, especially
up north, can dramatically reduce the biological
activity. Slow things right down. Cornell's Waste
Management Institute estimates decomposition
rates can plummet by 50 to 75 percent during
winter in those regions. Wow. So you need a plan
for weather. It's really important to incorporate
these seasonal variations into your management
plan. Maybe adjust pile size. Consider temporary
covers, things like that. What about the actual
equipment involved, like those turners? Anything
to keep in mind there? Equipment maintenance
is definitely something to factor in. Joe Lower
offers some wise advice here. What gives? Preventative
maintenance on your compost turner is essential.
Just like any other piece of farm machinery,
avoid costly, time -consuming breakdowns. Treat
it like your tractor or harvester. Exactly. Regular
servicing and upkeep will save significant headaches
and expense in the long run. Keep the operation
running smoothly. And finally, space. It sounds
like that could become a limiting factor, particularly
for larger dairies. Yes, definitely. As your
operation expands to handle more manure, the
amount of land needed for active composting,
curing, and storage naturally increases. How
much space are we talking? Penn State's Ag Research
Center estimates roughly 1 .5 to 2 square feet
per cow just for the active composting phase.
And that doesn't include curing and storage?
Nope. you need additional area for those crucial
stages. So careful strategic planning of your
composting site is essential to ensure you have
enough room, especially if you plan to scale
up. Now this is where things start to get really
cutting edge and exciting. Our source material
also delves into some of the latest innovations
taking manure management to a whole new level.
Yeah, beyond the basics. Let's kick things off
by talking about biochar. Biochar is indeed a
fascinating development. Recent research from
Cornell has shown that adding biochar during
composting can lead to some truly remarkable
reductions in emissions. What kind of reductions?
Greenhouse gases and other volatile compounds.
We're talking significant decreases 58 % less
methane. 58%. 67 % less hydrogen sulfide. 61
% fewer volatile organic compounds. And a whopping
70 % decrease in nitrogen oxides. Those are game
-changing numbers, especially considering the
environmental focus on agriculture. They really
are. Those are truly staggering statistics. And
the information even puts a potential dollar
figure on the environmental benefits. Right,
the social cost of greenhouse gases calculation.
Suggesting savings of over $66 ,000 annually.
per farm based on EPA estimates. That's serious
money just from reducing emissions. It absolutely
is. How exactly is biochar achieving these impressive
results? What's the science? The researchers
believe the key lies in biochar's unique porous
structure. Think of it like a sponge, but on
a microscopic level. Okay. Lots of surface area.
Exactly. This increased porosity allows for much
better oxygen penetration throughout the compost
pile. Which helps the good aerobic microbes.
Right. Supports more efficient aerobic decomposition,
which produces far less methane than anaerobic
conditions. Plus, that huge surface area allows
the biochar to absorb gas precursors directly
onto its surface. So it traps the stuff before
it becomes a gas. Pretty much. It prevents them
from being released into the atmosphere. It's
a two -pronged attack on emissions. And the potential
benefits don't end there, do they? There's mention
of carbon credits. Exactly. This is looking ahead,
but as carbon markets continue to mature and
develop. Which seems likely. It does. These substantial
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions could
potentially position dairy farmers using Bidochar
to generate revenue through selling carbon credits.
Getting paid to reduce emissions. It's a really
promising innovation, potential to significantly
enhance both environmental sustainability and
the economic viability of composting. Like getting
paid to do the right thing. The source also briefly
touches on anaerobic digestion as another innovative
approach. How does that fit in? Anaerobic digestion
is another significant pathway, yeah. It's often
more suitable for larger -scale dairy operations,
though. Different process than composting. Completely
different. Unlike composting, which needs oxygen,
anaerobic digestion breaks down manure in an
oxygen -free environment. usually in sealed tanks
or digesters and the main output the primary
highly valuable byproduct is biogas which is
mostly methane methane but isn't that a greenhouse
gas it is but here it's captured this biogas
can then be used as a renewable fuel source generate
electricity heat so turning manure into energy
exactly further reducing the farm's carbon footprint
potentially creating another revenue stream through
energy production or selling the biogas karen
scanlon highlighted its role in minimizing emissions
while also creating valuable soil products so
different tech different benefits may be suited
for different scales that's a good summary composting
is often more accessible for a wider range of
farm sizes Okay, so we've laid out the potential
benefits, navigated some potential challenges,
looked at innovations. Now let's talk brass tacks.
The money question. What kind of upfront investment
are we looking at for a typical composting system
on a dairy farm? Okay, for a relatively basic
windrow composting system, say for a 200 cow
dairy, the main cost is often the compost turner.
How much does that run? Estimates range from
approximately $20 ,000 up to $45 ,000 for a good
quality, reliable machine. $20 ,000 to $45 ,000.
Okay. You also need to factor in site preparation
costs, ensuring proper drainage, containment
to prevent runoff. That could be in the neighborhood
of $5 ,000 to $10 ,000. Site prep. Got it. And
finally, adding in essential monitoring equipment,
temperature probes. Moisture meters, probably
another $500 to $1 ,000. So all in, you could
be looking at, what, $25 ,000 to maybe $55 ,000
or $60 ,000 to get started with a basic system?
That's a reasonable ballpark range, yeah. It's
a significant but potentially very worthwhile
investment. That is a considerable outlay of
capital. What kind of return on that investment
can dairy farmers realistically expect? When
do they get that money back? Well, a 2020 analysis
by the University of Minnesota Extension Service
found something pretty encouraging. Yeah? The
majority of operations that invested in composting
saw a complete return on their initial investment
within a relatively short time frame. Oh, sure.
Two to three years, typically. Two to three years
ROI. That's pretty quick for farm investments.
It is. And the equipment itself, if you maintain
it properly, can often last more than a decade,
providing long -term value. And for smaller operations
where that initial cost is still tough. There
are strategies. Forming partnerships with neighbors
to share equipment costs and use. Like a co -op
model. Sort of, yeah. Or even modifying existing
farm machinery, if possible, for turning compost,
although that might be less efficient. We keep
coming back to their success, but what was McPhee
Farms' experience? Their initial investment and
break -even. McPhee Farms invested around $30
,000 in their system. And they calculated that
they reached their break -even point in just
about 18 months. 18 months, wow. And get this,
that impressive payback period was based solely
on savings from reduced manure handling costs
and lower fertilizer expenses. It didn't even
count the compost sales. didn't even factor in
the additional income they were generating from
selling the finished compost. That really underscores
the rapid financial benefits a well -managed
system can deliver. So for those listening who
are now seriously considering this, thinking,
okay, I want to stop flushing money away, what
are some concrete actions they can take to get
the ball rolling? Our source material lays out
a really clear and actionable five -step plan,
logical steps. Let's hear them. Step one. The
very first thing. Thoroughly assess your current
situation. Know where you stand now. Exactly.
Document the volume of manure your farm produces.
Understand your current costs for handling and
disposal. And be crystal clear on any relevant
regulations in your specific area. Okay, assessment
first. Step two. Absolutely crucial. Start with
comprehensive soil and manure testing. Test everything.
You need to know the precise nutrient profile
of both your soil and your manure. That's fundamental
for developing an effective, tailored plan. You
can't manage what you don't measure. Makes perfect
sense. What's the third step? Step number three
is all about building your team and your knowledge
base. Don't go it alone. Definitely not. Actively
connect with certified crop advisors, your local
soil and water conservation district folks, and
importantly, talk to other dairy farmers who
are already successfully composting. Their real
-world experience and practical guidance can
be absolutely invaluable. Learn from those already
doing it. Okay, step four. Fourth. Based on all
the info you've gathered, your assessment, your
tests, the advice you need to carefully design
your compost system. Tailor it to the farm. Exactly.
Determine the right type and size of equipment
you'll need. Figure out the space requirements
on your farm. Establish the specific processes
turning frequency, moisture targets that will
work best for your unique needs, and scale. And
what's the final crucial step? Step five. Finally,
it's absolutely essential to track your results
diligently. Monitor progress. Continuously. This
means regularly monitoring the quality of your
compost through testing. But maybe even more
importantly, keep a close eye on the financial
impact composting is having on your overall farm
operation. See if it's actually saving and making
money. Right. This ongoing monitoring lets you
fine -tune your system over time and clearly
demonstrates the true value of this investment
to yourself, maybe your lender, Maybe others.
To really hammer home the potential financial
impact, let's just revisit those estimated benefits.
The information suggests around $18 per acre
in fertilizer savings. Yep, average from that
Wisconsin study. And for, say, a 600 -acre farm,
that quickly adds up to over $10 ,000 annually,
just in fertilizer savings. $10 ,800, yeah. Not
insignificant. Then you've got the potential
for additional revenue from selling excess compost,
like McPhee, at $20 a ton. That could be significant
depending on your volume and market. Could easily
be thousands more. And when you factor in the
potential long -term savings associated with
reduced environmental impact, especially if you're
looking at innovations like biochar with those
huge emission reductions. $66 ,000 potential
impact figure. The total annual benefit could
realistically climb well into the tens of thousands
of dollars, maybe even push towards six figures
for some operations. It's certainly possible.
The potential is there. It's not something any
farm can afford to just ignore. Exactly. The
fundamental question really boils down to this.
Can you afford to keep treating manure as just
a waste product? Or maybe. Can you afford not
to explore its potential as a valuable resource?
Right. With the clear financial advantages, the
benefits in navigating regulations, improving
community relations. And the potential for future
revenue streams like carbon credits. Composting
presents a really compelling opportunity for
modern dairy operations. The technology isn't
brand new either. No, it's well established.
The economics are increasingly attractive. And
the farmers who are embracing these practices,
the early adopters, they're already reaping the
rewards. That manure pile isn't just something
you have to deal with. It's a hidden asset. Waiting
to be unlocked. So the real question for everyone
listening is, are you going to seize this opportunity
or are you going to watch your neighbors do it?
That's a powerful way to frame it. So for someone
who's feeling motivated, ready to stop watching
and start doing, what's the very first call they
should make? The information we've looked at
has a great simple suggestion. Reach out to your
local agricultural extension office. The extension
office. Good resource. They are a fantastic resource.
They can provide valuable information, guidance
tailored to your specific region, connect you
with experts, maybe even funding opportunities.
It's the perfect first step. So to bring it all
together, it's clear that manure is so much more
than just a byproduct of dairy farming. Way more.
It's a valuable resource brimming with untapped
potential to significantly improve your farm's
bottom line, strengthen your relationships with
regulators and your community. And even position
you for emerging opportunities in sustainable
agriculture. The key takeaway is that a strategic
approach to composting can transform what's often
seen as a liability into a genuine profit center.
A true asset. we strongly encourage you to seriously
consider the hidden potential within your manure
piles. Explore how smart composting strategies
can contribute to the long -term financial and
environmental sustainability of your farm. Don't
leave that money on the table or in the pile.
Exactly. Start looking at that manure not as
a problem to be dealt with, but as your farm's
hidden goldmine just waiting to be extracted.
And with that thought, we've reached the end
of this deep dive. Thanks for tuning in. That
wraps up another episode of the Bullvine Podcast.
Thank you for joining us as we continue to push
the boundaries of dairy farming innovation. If
you found value in today's discussion, please
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