Location: Cotton Ginning Research
Title: Fresh and composted cotton gin byproducts and beef manure as feedstock for co-pelletizationAuthor
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Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2023 Publication Date: 7/9/2023 Citation: Alege, F.P., Blake, C.D., Donohoe, S.P., Thomas, J.W. 2023. Fresh and composted cotton gin byproducts and beef manure as feedstock for co-pelletization. ASABE Annual International Meeting. ASABE Annual International Meeting, Omaha, Nebraska, July 8-12,2003. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Cotton Gin Byproducts (CGB) and Beef Manure (BM) have similar handling qualities, and they are both often aerobically composted before utilization in nutrient-based applications such as soil amendment. The current study characterizes the nutrient properties of fresh and composted CGB and BM for potential applications in co-pelletization for fertilizer and animal feed supplements. Fresh and composted CGB samples were obtained from two commercial gins in two cotton belt states, while raw and composted BM were sourced from a commercial beef farm. Properties relevant to supplementing nutrients in soil and animal feeds (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, proteins, fibers, ash, digestibility, etc.) were determined to establish the effects of composting on the materials. The properties were also compared to examine the suitability of both forms of the materials for utilization as feedstocks in co-pelletization. The results suggest that composting increases the total nitrogen, phosphorus, crude protein, fiber, and ash, but decreases the potassium, digestibility, and energy contents of CGB. Similar trends were obtained for macronutrients in the raw and composted BM. These results imply that composted CGB may be better than fresh CGB as feedstocks in fertilizer pellets, while fresh CGB is better suited in pellets for animal feed. While adding BM will enhance the nutrient content of the fertilizer pellets, further analyses to determine the effects on the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets will be necessary. From a sustainability and circular bioeconomy perspective, the study suggests a strong potential for co-pelletizing and utilizing CGB and BM as fertilizers in cotton production (and other crops) and re-utilizing CGB in beef feeds. |
