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FRUIT CANNERY WASTE ACTIVATED SLUDGE AS A CATTLE FEED INGREDIENT
Citation:
Esvelt, L. FRUIT CANNERY WASTE ACTIVATED SLUDGE AS A CATTLE FEED INGREDIENT. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-76/253 (NTIS PB265357), 1976.
Description:
The feasibility of sludge disposal, from a fruit processing waste activated sludge treatment system, by dewatering and using the dewatered biological sludge solids as cattle feed was evaluated by Snokist Growers at Yakima, Washington. Dewatering of the biological sludge utilizing pilot-scale and prototype-scale basket centrifuges resulted in consistently dewatering to 7-1/2% to 9% dry solids. Digestibility and metabolizability of rations containing 2.3% and 4.5% biological solids appeared equal to a control ration, but a ration containing 9.2% biological solids appeared lower. Twenty-four uniform yearling steers were divided into four lots of six each and finish fed a control ration and rations containing 2.3%, 4.6%, and 8.9% sludge solids on a dry matter basis for 165 days. They did not show any adverse effects of the sludge incorporation into their rations. It appeared that a low quantity of sludge (2.3% dry solids) actually enhanced the weight gain performance and carcass quality of these animals. The cost of a dewatering installation will require that the canney receive remuneration for use of the waste activated sludge as cattle feed in order to make a full-scale dewatering project feasible. The calculated value of the biological solids incorporated into the rations was in the range of $0.092 to $0.148 per kg dry solids.