On 2 December, Inagro organised a learning network on recycling-derived fertilisers. During that interesting afternoon, we focused on adapted stables for pigs. Would you like to know more about this innovative stable system?
The VeDoWS stable (Vermeulen Dobbelaere Welfare System), where manure separation takes place at the source, was extensively discussed, in addition to the derived products, in the limited company of five owners of such a stable and a few advisors. By means of open questions there was a lot of space to exchange experiences with each other. This interactive presentation made for a very interesting and instructive afternoon!
VeDoWS stable
In a VeDoWS stable, there is manure separation at the source. The urine is immediately separated from the solid manure. As a result, there are less ammonia emissions, which makes this system a low ammonia emission stable system. The principle of this stable is that the manure ends up on a concrete floor under the grid floor with a slight slope. As a result, the urine flows away to the urine gutter in the middle. The solid fraction remains on the concrete, after which a manure scraper removes it several times a day.
Why choose a VeDoWS stable?
There are a few reasons why farmers choose this type of stable. The most frequently cited reasons are:
The manure processing costs are decreasing;
there is a lower water consumption compared to other systems such as an air scrubber;
the climate in the stable is good: there is less odour nuisance and ammonia emission in the stable due to the frequent manure removal and separation at the source.
What happens after separation?
After separation, there are two products, each with different properties. The solid fraction is rich in carbon and phosphorus. However, due to the limiting phosphate standards, it is difficult to spread this product on the Flemish soil. As a result, the solid fraction usually goes to an anaerobic digester, or is exported abroad. The liquid fraction, on the other hand, is rich in nitrogen and potassium and has an excellent N/P ratio. This product is therefore suitable as a fertiliser. Inagro also tests this product during a three-year field trial. Would you like to know more about this field trial and the tested products?
Would you like to participate in this learning network or would you like to see a learning network about another recycling-derived fertiliser? Then contact us!
The learning network was part of the Interreg NWE project ReNu2Farm and the HOR2020 thematic network Nutriman.
Do you want more information about ReNu2Farm?
Inès Verleden (ines.verleden@inagro.be)
Sander Vandendriessche (sander.vandendriessche@inagro.be)
Anke De Dobbelaere (anke.dedobbelaere@inagro.be)
Do you want more information about Nutriman?
Eva Maddens (eva.maddens@inagro.be)
Franky Coopman (franky.coopman@inagro.be)