Case Studies

Sustainable Cycling Feedlot Operation

Costa Rica

Overview

The Ganadería Colono Real S.A. farm has 2000-2200 cattle in its feedlot and is known as a producer of the gray Brahman breed. They have been working with EM technology for about 6 years (as of 2024) and it has helped them to control odors and produce organic fertilizer from animal manure in a sustainable way.

Problems

- Strong ammonia odors that can affect animal nutrition and health.
- Pest problems, including flies.
- Manure management.

EM Application

AEM (Activated EM・1) is used to control bad odors and produce organic compost from manure.

- Odor Control: The entire feedlot consists of 64 sectors where AEM is applied every Monday and Thursday. Approximately 18L of AEM is applied per sector (each sector is approximately 300 square meters).

- Compost Production: A total of 120 tons of manure is removed daily and processed in a compost bin with daily applications of AEM. This material is mixed with 2 carloads of sawdust and then made into a pile in the composting plant where the process is repeated with AEM. The piles are turned twice a day with special machines and the AEM applied is diluted to approximately 40%. These piles are maintained for 30-35 days, depending on the weather.

Effects and Results

- Significant odor reduction along with pests and flies throughout the feedlot.
- EM Technology has helped reduce the composting process time to only 5 weeks to finished product (normally takes an average of 2-3 months).
- The farm achieved its goal of producing high quality organic manure-based fertilizer with EM and received organic certification.
- They reached a total production of 400 tons of organic fertilizer per week.