The Power of Manure
Published in Spinsheet - November 2015
The carbon footprint of agriculture has been scrutinized for some time now Skeptics and supporters alike are looking at the impact of our food systems in unique ways for a sustainable future for our children and the planet. Sutdies that evaluated increased health impacts on societies through green diets are now analyzing the footprint from such eating habits. Data for distance shipped and cooler space used are being coupled with data on packaging. For example, corrugated cardboard holding 1000 calories of cabbage carries a different footprint that white paper holding 1000 calories of frozen meat.
On a local scale, how do these issues impact us? Are there more basic initiatives to address the environmental problem which should be approached in parallel I’ve noticed that one of the biggest directives that could have tremendous local positive impact is the use of chicken manure as a fueling source.
A 2010 study by the National Chicken Council ranks both Maryland and Delaware in the top 10 broiler states combined create Maryland’s Eastern Shore, a unique environmental setting compared to other chicken producing regions. With low-lying land completely surrounded by water, the Eastern Shore’s agriculture becomes a significant influencer on Bay Health.
The 650 million pounds of chicken manure created in the DelMarVa Peninsula is often used as a fertilizer applied to the tops of fields. What doesn’t run off is taken up by crops mostly in the form of nitrogen. The remaining phosphorus, which is abundant in chicken waste and isn’t greatly absorbed by crops, easily leaches into the water system. This phosphorus impacts the Bay in many ways, one example being algal blooms. Recent reports have pointed out such record setting blooms that ultimately create what we call the ‘dead zones’ in our Bay. Adding to that, Bay health reports often show environmental progress on the western banks while the Eastern Shore lags behind. Much of the negative health is attributed to agriculture.
Incinerating the chicken waste is a costly effort contributing to neither our farmers nor our environment and ultimately would cause a negative air quality impact. An alternative proposal by AgEnergyUSA, in partnership with Perdue, is to build a power generation plant turning 200 tons of waste into electricity. This is the second proposal offered to the Maryland legislature; the first from another investor has now seemingly stagnated. Different than many waste power-producing plants, the current one proposed will take this biomass (which by definition is carbon neutral) and from an anaerobic digester produce biogas. A few bi-products will result in usable quantities of nitrogen such as liquid fertilizer going back to farmers; the excess phosphorus will be isolated and marketed off in other forms such as peat moss.
This is an extremely positive opportunity for Bay health. It doesn’t come without its concerns. A realistic measure would suggest this as a short-term solution. (Reducing environmental pressure while researching further advancements can’t be a bad step.) It could create a vacuum for many farmers who rely on affordable chicken waste fertilizing their farms and growing their livelihood. They will be forced to re-evaluate equipment needs, affordable supply chains, and more. On the other hand, with appropriate support, they may also be able to tap into current technology which enables them to measure exact inputs to avoid over-application of costly fertilizers and limit nutrient leaching or runoff.
The Public Service Commission’s Ten-Year Plan (2012-2021) expects 20 percent of Maryland’s power to come from renewables by 2022. My hope would be to build ways to reduce negative Bay health and create sustainable power systems while still respecting the great heritage of agriculture on the Eastern Shore.
