A combination of beneficial bacteria and enzymes, Manure Pro promotes the development of beneficial microorganisms in animal manure.
Received as a powder, poultry farmers have been making use of the product on litter to minimise smell while increasing nutrient content.
Manure Pro changes the microbiome of the litter so it retains increased levels of nitrogen and sulphur, rather than losing it to the atmosphere, says Lallemand’s Environmental Inoculant Product Manager, Lientjie Colahan.
She says: “Various gases are released from poultry litter, one of which is ammonia while nitrogen and sulphur containing gases give manure its bad smell.”
When manure is treated, the bacteria work to change the nitrogen cycle in the manure, changing the pathway nitrogen follows.
Lientjie says: “The microbes in the product eat up nitrogen and promote the development of beneficial microorganisms, changing the nitrogen cycling so less ammonia gas is released. More nitrogen and sulphur are retained through the manure having a better capacity to hold ammonium ions and the bacteria using the nitrogen and sulphur to build proteins, all of which lead to a reduced smell.
“Manure analysis shows using Manure Pro can result in a manure which has retained more nitrogen. Treated manure can be worth more as a fertiliser, with the enzymes in Manure Pro breaking down organic matter so when it is spread, it more available to the soil.”
Running a 32,000 bird laying unit near Caernarfon, North Wales, Huw MacKinnon has been using Manure Pro on his most recent flock of birds.
He says: “The product has certainly made a difference to the smell of the muck, and the heap doesn’t seem to steam up so much.
Previously selling all chicken muck off-farm, following the change to the NVZ rules in Wales, Huw put up a covered muck store.
He says: “The Manure Pro stops the smell and traps the nitrogen. I am impressed by the product and my analysis has shown the microbial nitrogen is higher in my muck when Manure Pro is applied, which is a more stable form of nitrogen which cannot be leached.”
Rob Evans has a 32,000 bird free range laying unit in Llannerch-y-medd, Angelsey and is now using Manure Pro on his second flock of birds.
Rob explains: “Our ForFarmers account manager Dyfrig Hughes suggested we looked at using Manure Pro on our poultry muck.
“Taking six months to have its full effect on the manure, I only use it in the winter on our stored muck, as in the summer it just goes straight out. Here, we are required to use ammonia scrubbers and I think the product further helps us in this regard.
“There has been an obvious change in the smell of our stored muck and analysis shows the nutritional value notably improves. It seems to reduce phosphate levels while increasing nitrogen.
“I will certainly continue to use Manure Pro in our system.”
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