Summary

RIRDC Chicken Meat program to contribute $25,000 per year over 4 years to APL for the R&D for Profit project – Waste to revenue: Novel fertilisers and feeds.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

Australian Pork Limited

Objective Summary

Intensive Animal Industries produce large volumes of waste products that have the potential to reduce the reliance on resources, generate revenue and provide alternative fertilisers and feedstocks to a wide range of agricultural enterprises. Providing cost effective and efficient fertilisers and feed generated from waste products will be achieved by delivering next generation fertilisers and feed by a) modification of conventional fertilisers and utilising smart sorbers and nano engineered materials to harness the nutrient sources in waste streams and improve nutrient availability for crops b) Utilising algae, purple phototrophic bacteria and chemotrophs to develop animal feed for direct and local reuse, high-nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer products, and chemical industry bio-products and c) improving soil biology and removing the barriers to adoption (handling and transport) by trialling and extension of new technologies (low–cost anaerobic digestion, composting, pelletization, granulation, nutrient extracts and microbial stimulants) for converting waste by-products into high agronomic products.
Reducing feed costs by producing a low-cost, highly digestable feed stream to supplement existing feeds and associated waste management costs reduces the cost of production but generates alternative revenue streams. Creating a tailored end product improves crop production with decreases in operational costs (increased profitability) via efficient water, fertiliser, liming, pest control usage. Recycling of nutrients buffers against fertilizer and organic carbon availability, cost fluctuations, reduces losses to the environment and assists in adaptating to climate change by demonstrating soil resilience to erosion, frost, drought and heat stress
This project will ultimately improve profitability, productivity and environmental sustainability of a wide range of Australian primary industries contributing to Australias food security and competitiveness on a global scale