Usually, the words ‘oh crap!’ tend to present themselves when something doesn’t go right. However, the very same expletive could soon usher in the sweet smell of success for dairy farmers.
Drawing on elements purportedly developed for use on space stations – and NASA research into the possibility of rearing cows on the moon – Zeecol’s barn-based, zero waste system is designed to capture dairy effluent for conversion into fuel, fertiliser, electricity and even high protein feed.
“We have the technology to cost effectively contain cow waste and increase productivity,”
“We have the technology to cost effectively contain cow waste and increase productivity,” company founder, William Mook, claims.
“There is no odour, no impact to the environment; everything that goes in comes out in a useful form.” Taking on altogether more terrestrial uses, the system is already being employed down here on earth where Pannetts Dairies in mid Canterbury is hoping to be amongst the first to turn muck into money with Zeecol’s assistance.
“Using barns enables Pannetts to achieve a profitable, humane and sustainable farming environment that isn’t possible on a grass fed system,” Mr Mook adds. “When cows are given a choice between indoors and out, they opt to spend more time indoors where nutritionally balanced food is on tap.” Dairy farmers looking to take advantage of ‘poo power’ can apply via