Academia, industry allies and dairy producers each brought unique perspectives for how to best manage dairy waste at the 2025 Midwest Manure Summit Feb. 26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. From anaerobic digesters to in-season applications to fiber bedding and more, manure has gone from a waste to a valuable resource on dairy farms of all sizes, as highlighted during the one-day event.
“The big picture is that farms, especially in California and Wisconsin, operate like cities with a large population,” Mohan Qin said. “Just like a city with wastewater treatment, we want to do what’s best to keep the farm running and not harming the environment.”
Qin, with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, was one of several presenters of the day. She discussed her current study evaluating electrochemical nitrogen removal from manure. Other research reviewed included greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, how to calculate and appropriately use nitrogen credits and field trial data on manure nutrient sensing.
The audience was captivated by a keynote address on the future of biogas production and livestock manure’s growing space in that production, producer panels and organic discussions to further research and education.
Farm-based biogas systems double in two years
The possibilities of raw manure are vast, and capturing the energy from raw manure to be used in other industries continues to appeal to dairy producers and biogas companies.
Most recent data from AgStar shows there are nearly 600 operating farm-based biogas systems across the country, nearly double what was reported two years ago. While biogas production is growing across all sectors, on-farm systems show the most exponential development in comparison to wastewater, food waste and landfill systems.
“It’s a growing industry, especially the ag sector,” said Patrick Serfass, executive director for the American Biogas Council. “… Last year, agriculture became No. 2 [for the number of operational projects]. Agriculture is growing faster than any of the other sectors in terms of total biogas production, and that’s the growth we like to see.”
Serfass explained the piqued interest in the agricultural sector is due to the environmental benefits of methane management as well as the potential profits from generating biogas.
Surprisingly, the greatest opportunity is found on smaller farms contributing to a community digester, Serfass said. According to the American Biogas Council’s 2024 Biogas Projects Database, 7,818 dairy farms in the U.S. – representing herd sizes 100-499 cows – were using the largest number of biogas systems. However, of those 7,818 farms, only 25 were dairy farms with anaerobic digesters on-site. In comparison, of the 834 farms – representing herd sizes greater than 2,500 cows – 211 were operating an anaerobic digester on-site.
“The biggest opportunity, really, is on the smaller farms,” Serfass said. “… If you’re a farmer, or you own of these systems, you’re able to basically rent the manure and then get paid for having a biogas system borrow the manure and then get your digestate back.”
Based on the council’s review of projects, the livestock sector is growing with dairy dominating the scene. Within dairy, both anaerobic digesters and covered lagoons are viable options depending on the climate for which a system is being installed.
Producer panels, discussion session spark organic conversation
The Midwest Manure Summit was complete with two producer panels that encompassed dairy, swine and grain producers explaining their in-season manure application methods as well as dairy producers and industry allies discussing their unique methods of turning manure waste into greater value – from purified water, compost and fiber bedding.
Captivated audience members asked the reasoning behind implementing different systems, the return on investments and how they view these practices facilitating business growth and stability in the future.
For those who shared about in-season manure application, there was one clear message.
“Ten years down the road, I think we’re going to see in-season application the norm,” producer panelist John Schwahn said. “Sure, there’ll be maintenance application during the spring and fall, but a majority of it will happen with that growing plant.”
Randy Ebert, producer panelist and owner of Ebert Enterprises, agreed.
“I’m glad we stuck with it, even with the pushback,” he said, referring to the community and regulation-related challenges they faced while implementing the system, which initial planning for began 17 years ago.
Randy Ebert speaks of his experience with in-season manure application during a producer panel at the Midwest Manure Summit. Ebert is the sixth generation to own and operate Ebert Enterprises. Image by Jenn Coyne.
New this year were two open forum sessions for attendees to share what they would like to see further researched or presented in educational workshops through extension.
The first discussion session was regarding Wisconsin’s nutrient credit system and if it should be updated. The second session was more encompassing of all producers regardless of location – manure processing.
Large-group discussion came from the following questions:
- What manure technologies are available and what is the ability to implement them on-farm?
- What is the best exit temperature and bedding management for using solids?
- Regarding sand separators and biosolids, how do we bridge the gap between maintenance and upkeep? Is the cost worth it?
The Midwest Manure Summit is a biennial event that shares the latest in manure processing, nutrient management and technologies for producers, researchers and allied industries.
