1. Alternative Biological Treatment of Manure
M. E. de Haro Martí , M. Chahine, and S. St Hilaire

2. Today’s presentation Manure treatment using Black Soldier Flies
Black Soldier Fly research in southern Idaho
Worm composting, how it works
Examples of working systems
Future of alternative biological systems in southern Idaho

3. Black Soldier Fly (BSF)
Hermetia Illucens
Naturally occurring in southern USA, Central and South America
Considered non-pest
Larvae are voracious organic matter eaters
As adults they don’t feed on live or decaying organic matter (no working mouth parts)

4. How Black Soldier Flies work?
In nature, adults lay eggs mostly in manure (preferred), worm composting, decaying corpses, undisturbed garbage (less preferred)
Larvae feed in the organic matter reducing its volume by 40 to 50%
Larvae goes trough six instars
When reaching the pupae stage they migrate from the feeding area looking for a dry and protected place to finalize pupation

5. BSF research in southern Idaho
Three years WSARE grant (UI, ISU)
Two years lab research (ISU, Pocatello)
One plus year of research within fish industry application (UI, Hagerman)
One year on-farm trial (Dairy in Buhl)
Results from research are very promising
More on-farm trials needed to achieve a working systems for dry and cold climates

6. BSF research in southern Idaho
Research results in southern Idaho showed:
BSF 40% protein and 30% fat content make it an excellent feed source for salmon and trout
Dried or frozen pupae has a long shelf life
BSF fed with fish offal has higher omega 3 fatty acids content
BSF can comprise an important part of the fish feedstock in local hatcheries
No after taste in fish fed with BSF

7. Research results in southern Idaho showed:
BSF larvae can reduce volume of dairy manure by 50% and DM solids weight by 40%
Important waste nutrient reduction (table)
Takes care of separated solids as well as fish offal (two waste streams become feedstock!)
In ID they need to be fed fish offal to reach pupation stage faster
Cold nights significantly reduce BSF activity
Good results even under adverse environmental and working conditions

8. Nutrient Reduction in Manure Processed by Black Soldier Fly
Item
Pre-processed manure (Kg)
Post-processed by-product (Kg)
Net reduction (%)
Weight, DM
345.2
212.6
38.4
Total N
10.6
4.8
55.1
Total P
1.97
1.50
23.9
Carbon
156.0
92.5
40.7
Ash
69.0
63.8
7.6

9. Events time line

10. Fish offal addition

11. Two days after fish offal addition

12. Black Soldier Fly Larvae at work two days after fish offal addition

13. Vermicomposting Composting with worms
Half dozen different species of earthworm are used
Eisenia fetida most common
Naturally occurring around the world
They are scavengers and decaying organic matter eaters (vegetal materials)

14. Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting has been used to process different types of wastes for many years
Effective but slow process
Reduce volume by 40% to 50%
Castings have excellent properties as fertilizer and soil amendment
Worms can be commercialized in diverse ways
On-farm and municipal scale facilities exist and have diverse grades of success

15. Using Vermicompost
Turnips: 0%, 10%, 20% vermicompost by volume added to field plots, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, NC State University

16. Vermicomposting examples
Queensland, Australia
Tarboro, NC
Swine manure
Geneseo, NY
Dairy manure

17. UI research and Extension 2010
Pilot project to test a worm composting unit designed in Gooding, ID
Collaboration with local high school and designer company

18. Alternative biological systems in southern Idaho - challenges
Black Soldier Fly and Vermicomposting systems have similar challenges in the area
Creating a suitable environment to operate year round is the most challenging technically and economically
They can handle just part of the dairy and fish industry waste streams
By products are of relatively high value
More market assessment needed

19. Challenges and answers
Suitable farm scale systems for BSF and vermicompost need to be developed more
Producers and market acceptability needs to increase
More funding is necessary to develop research on farm-scale initiatives and adaptation to our geographical area
Capacity to be a sustainable and profitable part of dairy and waste management operations

20. Questions?