Australia's largest feedlot turns manure into fertiliser as Queensland business learns to manage its waste

The folks who own the biggest feedlot in Australia, Mort & Co, situated at Grassdale in Queensland's Western Downs, have had a significant problem with getting rid of their manure.

The biggest feeding lot in Australia has turned cattle dung into valuable fertilizers in granular form.

The factory that Mort & Co has built is designed to create granules that can enhance the quality of soil.

The natural fertilisers can possibly improve farm output and lessen the ecological influence.

Approximately 80,000 cattle can stay at the feedlot simultaneously. This results in the production of about 100,000 tonnes of manure every year.

Rather than considering it as something useless, the corporation now regards it as a valuable product.

Charlie Mort, the head of the executive committee, identified the problem in its initial stages.

He stated that managing the manure could be a challenge in a feedlot.

You need to deal with regulations that affect your business, and during a drought, your manure is not in demand. The market for it is limited to an area that is only located 40 kilometers away from your feedlot.

Approximately 80,000 cows are capable of being present in the feedlot simultaneously, as reported by ABC Landline.

Australian farmers are facing a number of challenges, including difficulties accessing needed resources, increasing expenses, and concerns about the overall value of foreign-made fertilizers.

Mort & Co aims to transform this situation by introducing an organic granular remedy.

The organization started experimenting with converting untreated animal waste into natural plant food that can adapt to the Australian environment 4 years ago.

Kyle Merritt is in charge of Mort & Co.'s research and development department, and he is optimistic about the product's performance.

He mentioned that a vast majority of our soils lack organic carbon, hence the pellets have a 30% concentration of organic carbon.

"It's a great method to efficiently introduce carbon back into the soil using acids."

Charlie Mort highlights the challenge of dealing with manure for feedlots.

According to him, the feedlot's purpose-built factory is the only one of its sort in Australia.

They commenced by establishing a test facility which produced batches weighing 10 kilograms, and afterwards, progressed to erect a factory on the premises that has the capacity to produce five tonnes per hour.

According to Mr. Merritt, there are numerous pellets available in the market.

Going down to a granular level presents a heightened level of complexity that hasn't been achieved yet. However, it is necessary to have granules so that they can be dispersed through air seeders, transported using augers, and stored in silos.

There are other businesses in the United States that are engaging in a comparable endeavor. However, we have chosen to take a slightly altered approach to determine how the products fit into our agricultural program.

Mort & Co is dealing with a major problem in Australia when it comes to getting rid of manure, as stated by ABC Landline.

Mr. Merritt claims that the process of transforming cow dung into pellets is still a closely kept secret.

"He said that transforming it into granules is similar to baking a cake. You need the appropriate components," he explained.

To create a granule, it's essential to have suitable water and access to an oven or dryer for the necessary procedures. The absence of either would result in complications and hinder the creation of granules.

It took us nearly a full year to complete the commissioning process despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. The process was complex, but ultimately worth it for the benefit it will provide.

In addition to employing it on the farm, there have been numerous experiments, both internal and external. One such experiment was conducted with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in Queensland.

Boosted Efficiency, Better Environment

It may be possible to decrease both the expenses and pollution associated with transporting fertilizers over long distances, according to a report on ABC Landline.

According to a statement made by Matt Redding, who is the main soil chemist and geochemist in the department:

According to Dr. Redding, DAF (the organization) aids in the advancement of waste products that come from manure and can be obtained from various animal industries. This support is based on the fact that these waste materials may create opportunities for the creation of fertilizers that promote a circular nutrient economy.

Animal manure is often produced in the same areas where the need for fertilizers is highest, which results in lower costs and emissions for transporting fertilizers over long distances.

By using new advancements in methods and knowledge of processes, along with certain substances, there is a chance to create fertilizers that specially link the carbon and nitrogen cycles for enhanced outcomes in productivity and the environment. This offers a way to manage farmlands in a deliberate manner.

David and Danielle Statham, cotton growers from Moree located in the northwest of New South Wales, are committed to producing cotton that is environmentally safe.

Mr. Statham, who has a connection with Charlie Mort and has worked together in the past, is preparing to test Mort & Co's natural granulated fertilizer on their harvest.

Mort & Co considers their natural fertilisers as a suitable addition to artificial fertilisers.

"I'm really amazed by the amount of effort and investment that has been put into improving this product in the last three years. The research, the information I've come across, and all the presentations I've witnessed have been incredibly remarkable," stated Mr. Statham.

Therefore, the idea and reasoning of formatting it for practical use on a wide-ranging agricultural scale is highly advantageous.

Mort & Co considers their natural fertiliser as a partner to artificial fertilisers and thinks that the combination of both can contribute to reducing nitrogen leakage.

Mr. Merritt expressed that he believes there is a significant chance for improvement in nitrogen efficiency and a decrease in nitrogen usage in the Great Barrier Reef, which would result in the reduction of emissions.

"We have many options available, but we're focusing on the biological component of our work since we are currently dealing with a natural product."

"We believe that by staying within this specific area, we can tap into the market niche and secure a promising future."

According to Charlie Mort, the journey has been lengthy and involved a lot of experimentation and mistakes.

The process is challenging. We are still acquiring knowledge. It is not a simple task. To attain the desired dry matter, you have to extract moisture from the product. The cost is high," he conveyed.

"We've invested a substantial amount of funds throughout the entire procedure which has made it arduous. As a result, we're only now beginning to see progress."

Tune in to ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm this Sunday to catch this story or watch it later on iview.