Key Issues

YES/NO

Site Permanency

Projected facility life is less than 10 years

Bedding

Sand (dairy)

Confinement

Dairy: animals on pastured or on drylots more than 10% of the time

Hogs:  “all in-all out”

Storage

Storage and collection pit the same

Manure removal

Flush

Site Development Limitations

Problem finding 150X150 area for system

Water managed

No water meter or meter is unread

Rainwater comes in

Dairy: parlor holding area hosed down, not scraped^*

Parlor tankroom water flows to manure pit^*

Management

Is there question who will be in charge

Problem finding a good Farm Mechanic or service company

NOTE: Any “YES” in the above list is an area which may require costly changes that reduce likelihood of system success.  
^*Is the producer willing to make necessary changes?

Weighted Issues

Weight

Selection

Why install a Digester?

“A good idea”

1

Environmental Concerns

3

Financial benefit

6

Holsteins

Farrow/Wean

Finish

Animal numbers

< 300

<500

<1000

<3000

1

300-500

500-1000

1000-2500

3000-5000

3

500-1000

1000-1500

2500-5000

5000-10000

6

>1000

>1500

>5000

>10000

8

Electric rate,

<$0.05

1

Actual/ kWh

$0.05-0.06

3

charge

$0.06-0.07

6

>$0.07

8

Floor heating

In use in the production areas (and parlor holding area)

10

Fuel rate, average

<$0.50/gal Propane

<$3.00/1000 CuFt Natural gas

1

$0.50-$0.75/gal Propane

$3.00-$4.00/CuFt Natural gas

2

$0.75-$1.00/gal Propane

$4.00-$5.00/CuFt Natural gas

4

>$1.00/gal Propane

>$5.00/CuFt Natural Gas

6

Use 

No

0

Partial

3

Entirely

8

Score

Interpretation:  0-20 = success questionable, 21-35= success possible,  35-46= greatest chance of success

NOTICE: This checklist is intended to highlight issues which may impact digester success and is not intended to be used as a final decision making tool; experienced professionals should be consulted for thorough evaluation before making final decisions  

© copyright 1998 Richard P Mattocks, all rights reserved.