The Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) in Alberta, Canada, recently concluded a crop growth trial with the nutrient fertilizers produced by the Livestock Water Recycling (LWR) Manure Treatment System. This is the second study completed by the OCCI after previously confirming the potability of the LWR water output. This latest research project evaluated the LWR fertilizer through a series of grow-tests in the OCCI greenhouse facility using outputs collected at a dairy site in Michigan.

The LWR Manure Treatment System completely segregates and concentrates all of the nutrients found in dairy and hog manure. The process results in clean water, dry solid nutrients and a concentrated liquid nutrient.

The study that was concluded this fall, confirms that the LWR liquid fertilizer contains adequate amounts of nitrogen and trace minerals suitable for growing plants. The results also confirm that the liquid fertilizer produced through the LWR manure treatment system is free of phosphorus, with lab analysis showing phosphorus levels at 0.0000%. The phosphorus that is removed from the liquid nutrient is captured in the dry solid fertilizer that can be easily transported and applied to phosphorus deficient land.

In the dry solid growth test, it was found that when mixed at 25% with soil, corn had the highest recorded heights of all treatments when compared to commonly used all-purpose plant food. This indicates that under the correct mixing ratio, the LWR dry solid fertilizer supports the growth of corn. The study determined that the nitrogen and potassium in the 50% LWR liquid solution is more easily adsorbed by corn than when compared to a commonly used all-purpose plant food. Corn that was fed the all-purpose fertilizer absorbed 7.958% of input nitrogen and 9.105% of input potassium. When given the 50% LWR liquid solution, percentages of absorption increased to 22.87% and 24.98%, respectively. See attached table.

LWR is a Canadian water treatment company focused on providing dairy, hog and anaerobic digester operations with sustainable and cost-effective manure treatment technology.