This fact sheet answers the most commonly asked questions about the inoculated deep litter system, which addresses the manure treatment process for swine confinement-rearing operations

DuPonte, Michael W.

Fischer, David

ScholarSpace at University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Livestock ManagementSeptember 2012LM-23Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in co-operation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96822. Copyright 2011, University of Hawai‘i. For reproduction and use permission, contact the CTAHR Office of Communication Services, ocs@ctahr.hawaii.edu, 808-956-7036. The university is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawai‘i without regard to race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran. Find CTAHR publications at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/freepubs.The Natural Farming Concept: A New Economical Waste Management System for Small Family Swine Farms in Hawai‘i.Most Frequently Asked Questions on the IDLS PiggeryMichael W. DuPonte1 and David Fischer21CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service, Hilo, HI 2Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kealakekua, HIIntroductionOne of the most critical issues fac-ing large- and small-scale livestock operations nationwide, including Hawaiʻ i, is the development and implementation of cost-effective pollution-prevention technology. Livestock producers continue to seek best management practices (BMPs) that are effective, eco-nomical, and practical and that are also in compliance with new US EPA laws. In Hawaiʻ i, the State Department of Health, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Hawaii Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the University of Hawaiʻ i Cooperative Extension Service have been work-ing diligently to address both federal and state waste management compliance needs for local pork producers (Deenik and Hue 2004). As a result, the industry cur-rently implements effluent irrigation, composting, deep litter technology, lagoon storage, and solid separation as possible solutions for on-farm nutrient management (Fukumoto et al 2000). Unfortunately, due to new and revised EPA regulations, which now include nuisance odor and vector components, many of these strategies no longer meet federal criteria for BMPs.In 2006, during a visit to the Janong Natural Farming Institute in Korea, two extension agents from Hawaiʻ i (M. DuPonte and D. Sato) were introduced to a system of waste management with the potential to be implemented as a BMP under federal regulations. The combination of naturally collected microorganisms, green waste deep litter, and a piggery de-sign with strategic solar and wind positioning was being practiced in several countries in Asia and the Pacific Basin. Over the past six years, these concepts have been tested in Hawaiʻ i to provide small swine farms with another BMP that is in compliance with current EPA regulations.The purpose of this fact sheet is to address the most commonly asked questions about the inoculated deep litter system (IDLS) piggery.What is IDLS?Inoculated Deep Litter System, or IDLS, is a relatively new best management practice (BMP) that addresses the manure treatment process for swine confinement-rearing operations. This differs from previous deep litter systems used with swine, which did not involve inoculation, a key component of IDLS.Pigs thrive in an IDLS system.UH–CTAHR Natural Farming: Most Frequently Asked Questions About the IDLS Piggery LM-23 — Sept. 2012 2Who developed the IDLS system, and how long has it been in existence?Master Kyu Han Cho of the Janong Natural Farming Institute in South Korea developed this sustainable farming method based on generations-old practices from Japan and South Korea combined with his graduate education in agriculture and veterinary science. Starting in 1965, he and some colleagues perfected the Natural Farming method, building numerous livestock facilities throughout Asia including in South Korea, Mongolia, China, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Many of these are maintained to this day, reportedly odorless, fly-free, and able to sustain green waste material for up to 10 years without removing it from the system.How does an IDLS system work?IDLS incorporates four components: 1) self-collected, site-specific (or indigenous) microorganisms (IMOs), 2) green waste, 3) natural ventilation, and 4) facility posi-tioning relative to sunlight. The livestock facility is kept dry with natural ventilation and sunlight, which promotes proper fermentation of the pen litter, itself a combination of green waste and livestock waste. This in turn prevents nuisance fly breeding and the odors generated by the proliferation of undesirable organisms.How do I incorporate the different components of the IDLS system when building a piggery?•	 Solar	positioning: The building’s foundation is posi-tioned from north to south, with the south end serving as the entrance to the facility. This maximizes sun-light traveling east to west, which provides adequate ultraviolet light, heating, and drying. Sunlight and ventilation help to promote drying, thus preventing liquid accumulation (from livestock waste, watering nipples or troughs, and rain) in the litter. This deters the fermentation process from turning anaerobic and eliminates conditions that promote odors and fly breeding. (Note: This orientation applies to the Northern Hemisphere; positioning should be reversed for application in the Southern Hemisphere.)•	 Natural	ventilation: The building is designed with a high (14 ft) vented roof and walls (10 ft) that have openings to the outside. Cool trade winds are allowed to blow through the building, forcing warm air to rise and be eliminated through the vented roof. This helps to dissipate heat generated from microbial fermenta-tion in the litter, keeps the litter dry through constant air movement, and cools the facility during the hot season. During the rainy season, simple roll-down siding can be installed to keep rain out. •	 Deep	litter: In order to fulfill EPA regulations, which require an impervious bottom to all waste-handling facilities, there must be either a concrete slab or a thick (40 mil) plastic liner as the base of the build-ing. Five layers, with a combined minimum depth of 4 feet, are then strategically laid down to start the IDLS. The first layer consists of cinders mixed with bio-char (not charcoal briquettes; Hunt et al. 2010), spread roughly half a foot deep. For more information on biochar, please refer to the CTAHR publication “The basics of biochar: a natural soil amendment” SCM-30 (Hunt et al. 2010). It is avail-able free of charge at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/SCM-30.pdf.The second layer consists of cut logs piled to a depth of 2 feet. Logs should be at least 3 to 4 feet long and a minimum of 2 inches in diameter (larger, longer logs deter pigs from rooting them to the sur-face). The third layer is comprised of either banana leaves or coconut fronds covered with assorted green waste, spread a foot deep. The next step is to lightly spread about one pound of 1:1 IMO-4 and soil over every 50 square feet of surface area in the IDLS pen. For example, a 100 sq ft pen will require one pound Cut logs in IDLS system.3UH–CTAHR Natural Farming: Most Frequently Asked Questions About the IDLS Piggery LM-23 — Sept. 2012 of soil inoculated with one pound of IMO-4 applied as the fourth layer. The final step is to add a layer of sawdust about half a foot deep. Two weeks before introducing animals into the pens, activate the microbes one time only with a mist spray of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) solution and fermented plant juice (FPJ) (both diluted 1:1000 with water) to lightly moisten, not saturate, the sawdust layer. You can add animals to the pen once you smell a yeasty odor in the litter, a sign that the microbes have been activated and are at work in the pen.  •	 Microorganisms: The only microorganisms that should be used are those collected by the producer from the specific site of the facility. The profile of indigenous microorganisms may vary greatly from island to island, from windward to leeward coasts, and even between neighboring properties. The ini-tial, one-time misting with LAB and FPJ activates the microbes to increase in number. To learn how to make these activators, IMO-1 to -5, and other inputs, please attend a Natural Farming Input-Making class, or contact the Hawaiʻ i Natural Farming Cooperative (drake@farm-science.com).How do I collect IMOs? Please refer to the CTAHR publication “How to Cultivate Indigenous Microorganisms,” BIO-9 (Park and DuPonte 2008). It is available free of charge at http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/BIO-9.pdf.How often do I need to inoculate the IDLS sys-tem with IMOs?The IDLS needs only ONE initial inoculation with IMOs. You will never need to inoculate the system again un-less you decide to completely clean out the pens. Once the system is set, the IMOs are self-sustaining (self-propagating, self-limiting).What kind of green waste can be used?A producer can use any type of green waste available. Commonly used materials in Hawaiʻ i include tree trim-mings, banana leaves, coconut fronds, bamboo, sawdust, and grass and hedge clippings. Do not use treated lumber or sawdust, or any plants that are poisonous (example: oleander, other plants with milky sap) or high in oil content (example: seed or nut oil by-products, including macadamia nuts, shells, hulls, or husks).Do I need to add more green waste to the sys-tem once it is set?Yes. New green waste must be added periodically to maintain an optimal carbon to nitrogen ratio. Frequency depends on the number and size of animals in the pens and the type of green waste. As a rule of thumb, it is time to add more green waste when the log layer becomes exposed. You do not need to add any more IMO-4 when adding new green waste to existing litter. It is not necessary to add another layer of sawdust over new green waste.When do I need to clean out the pens?The system does not need to be cleaned. Continue to add more green waste as the existing layer ferments and composts. IDLS systems are known to go for more than 10 years without being cleaned out.Can I use the fermented litter as compost in my garden?The fermented litter can remain in the pens without be-ing removed, but you may use it as compost. However, it should not be sold, as proper documentation of tempera-ture and turning is required by the Hawaiʻ i Department of Health for compost sale. Wait at least 6 months from the start of your system before removing litter to use as compost on your property. Remove only up to one-third of the compost at any one time; allow at least 6 months between subsequent removals. Green waste layer in IDLS system.UH–CTAHR Natural Farming: Most Frequently Asked Questions About the IDLS Piggery LM-23 — Sept. 2012 4How do I troubleshoot the system when prob-lems arise?•	 Foul	 odor: Any unpleasant odor usually means that excess water has entered your pens, due either to rain or to leaky watering devices. Remember, no pen wash-down is needed with IDLS. If you wash down adjacent walkways or other structures, do not allow runoff water to enter your piggery. Excess wa-ter imbalances the microbial fermentation process. To correct the situation, simply spray the pens with diluted LAB solution to lightly moisten the litter.•	 Flies: Flies should not be present, since conditions in IDLS pens discourage fly breeding. As with foul odors, the presence of flies may indicate that excess water has entered your pens (see above). If flies are being attracted to exposed manure, rake the manure toward the middle of the pen and cover with green waste. Once allowed to ferment, the manure will not attract or breed flies.•	 Exposed	logs: This usually means it is time to add more green waste to the top of the pens. You need not re-inoculate the pens.•	 Compost: The composted litter should smell earthy, like good soil. No odor of manure or ammonia should be present. If odor exists, spray pens with diluted LAB and FPJ to reactivate the microbes and encour-age their proliferation.•	 Other	questions: For more information, please con-tact the author at mduponte@hawaii.edu.AcknowledgementsFunding was provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, County of Hawaii Research and Development Department and Farm Pilot Project Coordination. The authors would like to thank Dr. Russell Nagata, Dr. Erik Cleveland, Ruth Niino-DuPonte, Justin Perry III, David Ikeda, and Cheyanne Keliihoomalu for serving on the peer review committee.ReferencesCho, K.H. Natural Farming. 2003. Janong Natural Farming Institute, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.Park, H. and M.W. DuPonte. 2008. How to cultivate indigenous microorganisms. BIO-9, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.Deenik, J. and N. Hue (eds.). 2004. Integrating Animal Waste Issues into Nutrient Management Recommendations for Hawaii’s Soils. Proceedings of a workshop held by the University of Hawai‘i and Natural Resource Conservation Service. August 2003. Honolulu, HI. 100 pp.Fukumoto G., M. DuPonte, and C.N. Lee. 2000. Livestock Industry Partnering for Education and Program Implementation: Nutrient Management Alternatives and Pollution Prevention Planning. Final Report, Hawaii Fresh Milk Industry, Inc.Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2006. Statistics of Hawaii Agriculture 2004. Honolulu, HI. 99 pp.Hunt, J., M. DuPonte, D. Sato, and A. Kawabata. 2010. The basics of biochar: A natural soil amendment. SCM-30, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.Diagram showing layers in IDLS pen.C. Keliihoomalu

The Natural Farming Concept: A New Economical Waste Management System for Small Family Swine Farms in Hawai‘i: Most Frequently Asked Questions on the IDLS Piggery

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The Natural Farming Concept: A New Economical Waste Management System for Small Family Swine Farms in Hawai‘i: Most Frequently Asked Questions on the IDLS Piggery

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