Premium Standard FArms has unveiled a new enviroenmental plan.
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Premium Standard Farms has unveiled a new environmental plan that will move the company, and the pork industry, to the “Next Generation” of waste management. The plan introduced by Premium Standard Farms includes a comprehensive nutrient and odor reduction system at one complete farm as well as a host of leading edge systems in pilot projects at additional farms.
“We’re excited to bring this technology to the pork industry,” said Dave Townsend, director of environmental affairs for the company.
“The combination of proven technology in the White Tail project and the many pilot projects will enable us to evaluate several high potential options at the same time. Our goal is to reduce odors, acres required for land application and the risk of spills. ‘Next Generation’ technology moves us closer to that goal.”
Comprehensive System
The White Tail project incorporates a full-scale odor control and nutrient management system. White Tail is a finishing farm in Putnam County. Elements of the system include air dams on most barns, permeable covers on all lagoons, aeration basins adjacent to each existing lagoon and three nutrient reduction basins for tertiary treatment through natural aeration and algae growth. Municipalities across north Missouri use aeration and tertiary treatment.
Pilot Projects
The goal of the pilot project is to remove the solids and nutrients from the system so the water can ultimately be re-used in production.
Several innovative technologies are being tested or evaluated, including an internal recirculation system, the Crystal Peak Process, and heated anaerobic digesters.
The internal recirculation system concentrates the solids. The concentrated solids can be moved offsite for use or additional treatment.
One option for the concentrated solids is the Crystal Peak Process, which converts the product into pelleted organic fertilizer. Premium Standard Farms, NALCO Chemical Company and United Water Company have entered into an agreement to build a pilot system suing the Crystal Peak Process. United Water is best known for converting municipal sludge from the city of Milwaukee into the Milogranite fertilizer product.
Total costs of all elements in the work plan is more than $9,400,000. This includes all work from May, 1999, through April, 2001.
Premium Standard Farms has contracted with HDR Engineering of Omaha and Sustainable Environmental Solutions of Kansas City to provide engineering and technical support on the project. The project team now includes engineers, biologists, certified professional soil scientists, chemists, certified professional geologists and regulatory specialists.
The work plan was submitted to a panel of three industry experts last week in compliance with Premium Standard Farms Consent Judgement by the State of Missouri. The panel will review the plan for the next 60 days.
The public will have the opportunity to provide input to the panel in a public meeting within the next 45 days. The date, time and location of the meeting will be announced later. The proposed plan can be reviewed on Premium Standard Farms web site at www.psfarms.com.