The Yellowstone Cattle Feeders owner in Shepherd is planning to construct a barn to house cattle indoors, aiming to improve efficiency for the livestock by collecting methane and managing fertilizer.
This innovative facility will be the first of its kind in the United States, providing added value to the mature cattle.
“Our main focus is on manure waste,” stated Craig Scott, business development director at Bion Environmental Technologies. “We view it as turning waste into a valuable resource.”
Yellowstone Cattle Feeders is collaborating with Bion to enhance the collection of animal waste and convert it into high-quality fertilizer.
“We are transitioning to a more advanced method of feeding cattle within a barn setting, allowing us to efficiently collect manure through slots that lead into a digester,” explained Turk Stovall, owner of Yellowstone Cattle Feeders. “Bion Technologies will then process the digester contents into premium organic fertilizers.”
Stovall, who also heads Stovall Ranching Companies, outlined plans to begin constructing a large indoor facility capable of accommodating up to 15,000 cattle.
The facility will enable the indoor collection, processing, and conversion of manure into fertilizer, utilizing methane gas for energy production and water purification.
“Currently, we manually clean our pens and store the manure for farmers in the area to use as fertilizer,” Stovall remarked. “With the new technology, we will have a more efficient and sustainable process in place.”
Scott emphasized the value of Bion’s ammonia treatment technology, crucial for maximizing the benefits of the methane produced in the digester.
Bion has successfully implemented this process in the hog, poultry, and dairy sectors, resulting in healthier and more productive animals.
The construction of the barns will help contain and process the ammonia, preventing its release into the environment.
“This initiative presents a business opportunity while also promoting responsible land stewardship,” Stovall noted.
