“...the flush water has
improved greatly, the odor is down and the floors are not nearly as slippery.”

Jerome, ID — Prior to treatment with Pro-Act Microbial, Bettencourt Dairy #3 had several frustrations with their waste system. There was very little microbial activity in the lagoon, resulting in islands of solids that increased in size and quantity. The separators required frequent maintenance due to the solids build up, and the flush water was thick, leaving the alleys slippery. In addition, there was a fair amount of odor from the flush and lagoons.

Bettencourt began their Pro-Act Microbial treatment of Dairy #3 in the early summer of 2006. In a recent interview, Acardio, the herdsman, reported that the flush water has improved greatly, the odor is down and the floors are not nearly as slippery. The cows are staying in the feed lanes longer and eating more because the atmosphere is better.

The Set-Up
The flush water goes into a collection pit, over side hill separators, into sand settling pits and then to lagoon #1. Top water goes from lagoon #1 to #2, and the flush water is drawn from #2.

There are four diffusers in the system; two in lagoon #1 and two in #2. Our microbial treatment, including the vitamins, minerals and growth accelerators in their convenient water-soluble bags, are put into both lagoons.

The Progress
The separators, which were previously clogging and requiring frequent maintenance, are now working better, requiring less maintenance and producing more, better quality, solids.

One other predominant benefit of using Pro-Act is the dramatic reduction of odor, something Acardio has noticed at both treated lagoons.

Stratification is occurring, so water quality has improved and continues to do so, especially in lagoon #2 from where the flush water is drawn. The microbially active water cleans the slime from the barn floors more effectively and dries quickly with little odor. This stratification also results in excellent irrigation water. Early reports say the hay crop under pivots has been better than in the past. Experience tells us the same will be true with the corn.

Most of the islands of solids have vanished as the microbes have liquefied the solids, and there is abundant microbial activity on the two lagoons.