ROCKWOOD, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Four generations of Saylors have worked the family's dairy farm for nearly a century, but for the past three years, the cows have been doing something besides providing milk: They've been helping power the place. Read Full Article.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a classic operation that automates the productive use of the waste stream. If you look at the diagram in the article and click on the title of each stage, a video pops up to tell the story there. An automated sweep clears the manure from the milking floor and that begins the cycle of usage. The methane burning even reduces the neighborhood odor....
It is a very clever medium scale operation with a resoundingly positive effect on the bottom line. True, the investment must be substantial, but for a long term family operation it would certainly contribute to a survivable business model.
In the 1950s, Harold Bate converted his Hillman to run on chicken manure. That was certainly a more modest operation, but forward thinking nonetheless.
