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One of the largest obstacles to expansion in the livestock industry nationwide is environmental concern. One major concern is the odor associated with manure management for all species.

Increased environmental regulation of confined feeding operations is inevitable. New regulations in some states have even included odor specifications. Tyrell (2001), during a presentation at the Southwest Nutrition Conference, stated that federal, state, and local mandates likely will control ammonia emissions in the future because they are a significant part of the PM2-5 and PM10 emission control standards. Livestock in general and cattle in particular are major contributors to ammonia emission (Table 1).

INTRODUCTION
Livestock waste is primarily composed of indigestible constituents of feed carbohydrate, protein, fat, and fiber. Natural decomposition of these organic wastes depends on bacteria. Bacteria can be divided into two classifications: aerobic, which demand oxygen for their biological processes, and anaerobic, which do not. Because most manure handling systems are designed to have both the presence and absence of oxygen, both types of bacteria are necessary for waste digestion and decomposition.

Waste material is primarily insoluble solids or colloidal suspensions that bacteria cannot digest. Solubilization of solid waste must occur outside bacterial cells through the action of enzymes, which are secreted by bacteria. Enzymes are proteinaceous biocatalysts that catalyze biochemical reactions, which convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into products required for cellular metabolism. Once the cell metabolites are produced, the bacteria multiply and secrete more enzymes, which in turn digest more waste material. In essence, a biological chain reaction starts which can continue until all organic material is gone.

Slick N’ Clean is formulated to augment the naturally occurring enzymes and bacterial flora in animal wastes. Slick N’ Clean contains enzymes, aerobic bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria capable of digesting organic material. Slick N’ Clean accelerates the natural biological decay of organic wastes in manure pits and waste handling systems.

INGREDIENTS
Bacteria

• Anaerobic: Slick N’ Clean contains viable organisms, which are necessary for digestion of organic materials in the absence of oxygen. Slick N’ Clean contains two billion anaerobic bacteria per gram.

• Aerobic: Organisms which are necessary for digestion in the presence of oxygen are contained in Slick N’ Clean. Slick N’ Clean contains three billion aerobic bacteria per gram.

Enzymes
Slick N’ Clean contains enzymes that digest and solubilize waste materials, providing metabolites necessary for bacterial growth.

• Amylases: These enzymes digest starch-containing materials into water-soluble products. Vegetables and grains contain significant amounts of starch.

• Proteases: These enzymes digest proteins. Meat, cheese, and protein meals, such as soybean meal, contain large amounts of protein.

• Lipases: These fat-splitting enzymes create water-soluble materials from fats found in tallow, grease, and vegetable oils.

Activators
The addition of select ingredients increases the activity of enzymes.

Wetting Agents
Slick N’ Clean contains wetting agents to increase contact between enzymes and waste materials. This accelerates the decomposition process.

ADM ALLIANCE NUTRITION SLICK N’ CLEAN RESEARCH
ADM Alliance Nutrition researchers have actively researched solutions to odor and waste management treatments in livestock systems over the past five years, and have conducted significant research on Slick N’ Clean.

Initial screening in a swine nursery trial found that Slick N’ Clean Tabs reduced building ammonia concentrations compared with an untreated control by 50% after 28 days and 55.5% after 42 days.

A follow-up nursery study was conducted with Slick N’ Clean Quick Start. This dry powder form was formulated with Prosponse® yeast to enhance effectiveness. The results confirmed our initial screenings, as producing 46.6% greater ammonia emissions in the non-treated nursery compared with Slick N’ Clean over the 42-day nursery trial. The response was observed after two days of using Slick N’ Clean Quick Start (Figure 1 and Figure 2, P<.05).

The second study confirmed Slick N’ Clean reduced nitrogen content of manure (Table 2). These results suggest that anaerobic and aerobic bacteria facilitate bioconversion of protein into N2 gas at the expense of ammonia. Nitrogen gas is then volatilized as a harmless and odorless end product. These findings were verified in a six-month swine finishing field test (Table 3) and in a four-month dairy lagoon field test (Figure 3).

Slick N’ Clean pit and lagoon additives offer easy-to-use solutions for solids, odor, manure nitrogen, and ammonia concentrations associated with manure handling methods. Using Slick N’ Clean results in less solids, manure nitrogen, and BOD (biological oxygen demand) in lagoons and manure pits, and reduces odor and ammonia concentrations (Figure 4).

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
Testing of Slick N’ Clean manure treatment for odor control and advanced treatment of manure nutrients was completed at the Purdue University Odor Testing facility (Aug. 2003 – Oct. 2003). The performance of Slick N’ Clean to control odor was measured in three vital areas:

• Odor detection threshold

• Measurement of gases released from manure

• Influence of treatment on manure nutrient characteristics

Swine manure pH was approximately 6.5 with a dry matter concentration of 7.7 - 8.1% (Table 4). Slick N’ Clean treatment reduced manure dry matter nitrogen 2.5% (P<.05), and ammonia nitrogen 7.3% (P<.05). These manure reductions confirm earlier controlled field research and indicates a more complete digestion of treated manure and confirms mode of action assumptions (Figure 4).

Slick N’ Clean reduced gases released from treated manure. Figure 5 shows a reduction in gases released from Slick N’ Clean treated manure:

• 23% reduction in ammonia (P<.05)

• 36.5% reduction in hydrogen sulfide (P<.05)

• 31% decrease in carbon dioxide gases (P<.05)

These gases were measured on a continuous basis. The readings for statistical analysis were taken from each sample 12 times daily. These effects are consistent with the mode of action for more complete digestion of Slick N’ Clean treated manure.

The effects on manure and gases released from Slick N’ Clean treated manure were also measured in odor detection threshold. Untreated swine manure increased the odor detection threshold by 21%. Slick N’ Clean treated manure reduced the odor threshold 58% less than the control manure or 48% on an absolute basis (Figure 6).

Trial conclusion: The advantages of Slick N’ Clean manure treatment offer tremendous benefits for livestock producers in terms of reduced manure nitrogen, gas emissions, and odor detection. The creation of a healthier environment is conducive to livestock production and improves working conditions. Also, reduced odor will facilitate relations with neighbors.

CONCLUSION
Agricultural, Industrial, and Institutional Wastes

Slick N’ Clean is a valuable adjunct in any system designed to treat organic waste materials and can be used for treating waste from any species. Treatment systems vary from complex treatments to settling tanks and lagoons. Often waste consists of only one or two materials, and the volume and through-put of these systems vary considerably. It is sometimes difficult to make specific recommendations for the use of Slick N’ Clean because of factors beyond our control. As a starting point in your evaluation of Slick N’ Clean, we recommend the following:

• Slick N’ Clean Concentrate Ideal, cost-effective product for treatment of early-stage raw manure when product can be naturally mixed throughout manure as it is processed.
   

• Slick N’ Clean Quick Start Designed to decrease odor and ammonia levels within two days following application. Ideal when rapid reductions in odor and ammonia are needed.
   

• Slick N’ Clean Tabs go directly to the problem by sinking to the bottom of manure holding facilities where they liquefy solids and decrease ammonia levels during the anaerobic phase of manure decomposition.

For more Information call toll free 1-877-751-8200

References Erickson, G.F. and T. Klopfenstein, 2002. Fats of nitrogen, phosphorus on feedlots discussed. Feedstuffs. May 20, pg 13. Eng, K., 2001. Compliance with environmental regulations may be beneficial. Feedstuffs. April 16, pg 10. Tyrell, H. 2001. Ammonia release from animal production systems, Southwest Nutrition & Management Conference. Erickson, G.F. and T. Klopfenstein, 2001a. Managing N inputs and the effect on N volatilization following excretion in open-dirt feedlots in Nebraska. Nitrogen in the Environment. The Scientific World: www.The Scientific World.com. Erickson, G.F. and T. Klopfenstein, 2001b. Nutritional methods to decrease N volatilization from open-dirt feedlots in Nebraska. Nitrogen in the Environment. The Scientific World: www.The Scientific World.com Brock, T.D. and M.T. Madigan, 1991. Biology of Microorganisms. Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. Pgs 586-587.