Cooperative Living August 2023 - 20

FARM LIFE
●●●● BBQ Season
Do you know where your meat came from?
Story courtesy of Statepoint Content
B
arbecue season is in full swing and you may be
wondering how to balance your love for pulled pork
and spareribs with your concern for the environment.
The good news? Science is delivering new, game-changing
solutions to tackle the environmental footprint of the beef
and livestock industries.
THE PROBLEM
Approximately 9 million dairy cows, 90 million beef cattle,
60 million swine and billions of poultry in the United States
produce more than 100 times more organic waste than
humans; but where human waste makes its way to a septic
tank or a sewage treatment plant, livestock waste is often
spread untreated on the ground as fertilizer.
While this practice has short-term agricultural benefits, it's
ultimately a major contributor to a number of environmental
and health issues. Phosphorous, nitrogen (mostly as
ammonia), pathogens and bacteria from manure run off the
soil and pollute waterways. This nutrient runoff fuels
increasingly toxic algae blooms in fresh, estuary and coastal
salt waters, creating areas where most aquatic species can't
survive. What's more, the highly mobile and volatile nitrogen
from ammonia in animal waste can become airborne, a
difficult problem that is expensive to control and poses
significant health risks to humans.
Bion's Technology
" Today's consumers want sustainable,
transparent and 'better for you' food. "
- Bill O'Neill, CEO, Bion
NEW SOLUTIONS
An advanced livestock waste collection, treatment and
recycling system from Bion Environmental Technologies
Inc. is transforming manure from a liability to an asset. It
starts with an innovative barn design that houses the
livestock, collects waste and feeds the treatment system on a
continual basis. This patented technology not only provides
a comprehensive waste treatment that neutralizes pathogens,
bacteria and ammonia and minimizes greenhouse gas
emissions, but also produces superior organic, climateand
water-smart fertilizers with a low carbon footprint,
as well as generates clean water and renewable natural gas.
Typical beef production uses an extraordinary amount
of water, particularly from crops for feed. With Bion, 30%
of the waste stream is processed into recycled, clean water.
And, thanks to precise application of organic and climatesmart
fertilizers produced by the system, the resulting soil
is healthier with a better balance of nutrients. In short,
moremor abundant crops are produced, less water is used and
mo abundant
greenhouse gas emissions are reduced.
are
ops are produced, less water is used and
Along with environmental stewardship
and resource efficiency at the forefront
of the technology's design, experts have
been retained to ensure that animal
accommodations, hygiene, care and feeding
are all optimized for animal health and
welfare.
" Today's consumers want sustainable,
transparent and 'better for you' food, "
says Bill O'Neill, Bion's CEO. " Through
innovation, we are bringing real beef to
tables that is both sustainable and ethical. " 
For more, visit bionenviro.com.
18 ● Cooperative Living ●
August 2023
co-opliving.com
GRAPHIC COURTESY BION ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
http://www.bionenviro.com http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living August 2023

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