CONTACT:
Rick Jones, Engineered Storage Products Company, Inc., rljones@engstorage.com , 815-756-1551; or,
Jon Anderson, OPEN ROADS, janderson@openroads-bgdn.com, 414-227-1000 ext. 4.
Dykhuis Farms Implements a Plan and Expands to 20,000 Sows
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 7, 2007) – Using an environmentally sound nutrient management plan, Dykhuis Farms, Inc., a farrow-to-finish operation in Holland, Mich., recently expanded to 20,000 sows. Founded in 1978 by Bob Dykhuis and his father Jim, the operation has grown from 80 sows to 20,000 sows.
With this added growth came the need for intense planning. To help develop the nutrient management plan, Dykhuis Farms turned to Brandon Hill, a nutrient management consultant. “An environmentally sound nutrient management plan, for now and for the future, is essential for an operation of this size,” said Hill.
Hill discussed the Dykhuis Farms expansion and nutrient management plan at World Pork Expo during the Environmental Information Center session on Ag Waste and Nutrient Management, which was sponsored by Engineered Storage Products Company, manufacturers of Slurrystore® systems.
According to Hill, the first goal was to eliminate winter spreading and promote a more environmentally sound manure application timeframe. More spring applications would help address nitrogen leaching and ground water concerns — and increase crop uptake.
As part of the plan, Hill also looked into longer storage time and more spreading flexibility to help reduce chances of surface water impairment. Additional strategies included controlling odor (covering if necessary) and containing manure in a structure that met NRCS 313 specifications for greater than six months.
After analyzing the plan and reviewing the options for additional manure storage, the group decided above-ground positive containment structures were the right thing to do – now and in the future.
“There can be no room for error,” said Hill. “We felt Slurrystore systems would be a good fit for the large volume of waste water from the sows. Plus, with a Slurrystore, we had no problems with the NPDES Permit requiring six months of reliable storage. We wanted more flexibility and odor control, and to apply manure when we wanted to, not when we had to. Slurrystore systems met all these needs.”
In addition, Hill added that an above-ground positive containment structure helps eliminate the risk of future governmental requirements often established for lagoons. “When you construct a lagoon, you have to meet certain regulations. Those regulations continually change. Standards and requirements for lagoons often need to be updated because of groundwater concerns. With a Slurrystore, we feel we’re ahead of the game. There’s just more peace of mind.”
Applied for EQIP Funding
Beginning in 2004, Dykhuis Farms put their nutrient management plan into action and pursued EQIP dollars to help fund the extra manure storage. EQIP funding was secured for eight Slurrystores. “We were able to get cost share on all eight,” said Hill.
Hill told the World Pork Expo seminar attendees that Slurrystore systems helped secure EQIP funding. “They sped up the process. We were able to send an engineered drawing to the NRCS engineers for approval. The same design was used for each site and it met 313 specifications. Because we went with a Slurrystore, the process required minimal subsurface soil investigations and site selection requirements.”
In addition, Slurrystore systems were viewed more environmentally acceptable by regulators. The above-ground structures provide increased security over lagoon systems. There’s less chance of ground water contamination and more visual structural integrity. “Plus, everyone liked the idea of being able to vertically add additional storage if needed,” said Hill.
Increased Nutrient Value
With the Slurrystore systems in place, Dykhuis Farms now has timed manure applications in the spring and fall. Slurrystores are pumped one to two times per year. “Manure now can be spread in a cost-effective, timely manner,” added Hill. “The variable cost of application went from $0.01 down to $0.002 per gallon.”
Manure is applied via dragline versus land applications previously trucked in from the facilities. Hill has seen reduced soil compaction and inorganic nitrogen use, and increased manure nitrogen crop utilization.
“Dykhuis Farms has significantly decreased the amount of commercial nitrogen purchased because we get more manure out quicker in the spring,” said Hill. “When we had to pump year round, we lost nitrogen value due to improper timing of manure applications. We saw more nitrogen losses through the soil via denitrification. Now with increased spring and late fall manure applications, we can take full nitrogen credits for our manure.”
Seminar sponsor Engineered Storage Products Company is located in Dekalb, Illinois. They are the leading manufacturer of glass-fused-to-steel structures in North America, including the well-known Harvestore® and Slurrystore® brands. For more information, please call 815-756-1551.
Year |
Action |
# of Sows |
1978 |
Began operation. |
80 |
1980 |
Expansion led the breeding herd to 200 sows. Pigs produced were sold to local producers as feeders. |
200 |
1985 |
Sow herd split and expanded to 500 sows. |
500 |
1987 |
Sow herd increased again. |
700 |
1988 |
Dykhuis Farms began to retain ownership of finishing pigs. |
|
1995 |
Began another expansion. During this phase, off-site nurseries and contract finishers were developed into the system. |
2,400 |
1997 |
Another expansion – converted double-wide finishers into gestation facilities. |
5,500 |
2001 |
Expanded again – separated gilt development flow. |
8,400 |
2003 to present |
Expanded by adding sows and separating grandparent herd and parity segregated sites to accomplish base herd of 20,000 sows. |
20,000 |
