Large systems such as lagoons and manure storage basins are subject to shock loading. Shock loading occurs when a large quantity of manure is discharged into a storage system for a variety of reasons. For example, a producer has a pull-plug system with a lagoon that is close to reaching freeboard levels. The producer is scheduled to pull his plugs but realizes his lagoon capacity is at a maximum. So he waits an additional 4 weeks to pull plugs until the ground dries and he can pump manure on an available field. The lagoon levels are pumped down and the producer decides to pull his plugs. No harm done, right? Wrong. 

In situations such as these, lagoon bacterial populations become accustomed to a food source being introduced on a regular basis. Populations tend to shrink in size until more food is introduced. In the situation above, not only would the bacterial population be stressed from a lack of food, but the manure introduced would be far greater in volume, and most likely in concentration, than the lagoon would be used to. Bacterial populations that are stressed do not function properly digesting solids.

Shock loading is not the only potential problem producers face with their storage system. In many cases antibiotics are used to control disease. Antibiotics are not discriminatory toward bacterial strains and can continue to kill non-pathogenic bacteria in manure systems. Disinfectants also behave in the same way. If they are used too much or in too great of a concentration, disinfectants can continue to kill in pits for up to three weeks.

Pit Remedy eases these types of issues in manure by providing a tremendous dose of bacteria every month. Shock loading will never be an issue due to the fact that huge doses of Pit Remedy bacteria are added to manure storages on a regular basis. A producer never has to worry about adequate bacterial populations when using Pit Remedy. As long as Pit Remedy is present, solid build-ups won’t be an issue.

We have also done research on antibiotics and disinfectants and are able to give sound advice on what products to use to lower the risk of pit toxicity. Our favorite antibiotic to use is Mecadox/Carbadox by Pfizer. It has a half-life of less than 12 hours outside the body of a hog. As far as disinfectants, we currently have a product available that breaks down very quickly when it drops off slats into the pits. We are also advocates of using dilute bleach as a cleaner.

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