Quantification and characterization of waste generated during milking of Jersey cattle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/6135ky76Keywords:
cattle manure, agricultural effluents, waste management, dairy wash waterAbstract
Introduction. Inadequate management and improper disposal of residues generated in dairy farming can cause environmental and sanitary problems. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain information on the quantity and composition of the solid and liquid residues produced during milking. Objective. To determine the quantity and characteristics of residues generated by Jersey cattle during milking activities. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the dairy unit of the Atlantic Campus of the University of Costa Rica, with a stocking rate of 6 AU/ha and Jersey cows with an average live weight of 396.6 kg per animal. Between May 2022 and May 2023, 39 samplings were carried out to quantify manure generation and the volume of wash water produced in the waiting area after each milking. Moisture, pH, and electrical conductivity were analyzed in manure, while chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and fecal coliforms (FC) were determined in wash water. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. Results. Average manure production was 2.7 kg per animal, and water consumption reached 686.5 L per operating day. The effluent showed a high pollutant load, with COD (1931.7 mg/L) and TSS (6951.6 mg/L) levels exceeding the maximum permissible discharge limits by more than fourfold and thirtyfold, respectively. The microbiological load (1.7 × 108 CFU/100 mL) indicated a critical sanitary risk. Conclusions. Milking activities generated residues with high pollutant potential, which limits the direct reuse of wash water and highlights the need to implement management and treatment strategies, such as solid-liquid separation and biological processes, to reduce environmental risk and promote residue valorization.
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