Page 354 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

332 AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY, AND FISHING APPLICATIONS

replanting. In cool, wet regions, the best choices are poplar and willow. In warmer
areas, sycamore, sweet gum, and cottonwood are best.
■ Oil plants—Oil from plants such as soybeans and sunflowers can be used to make
fuel. Like corn, however, these plants require more intensive management than
other energy crops.

Finally, a farm waste management plan is an effective tool to quantify and reduce
solid waste. A key element of this plan should address soil runoff and contamination.

22.7 Case Study

In June of 2005, a solid waste minimization analysis was conducted at a dairy farm
located in Fort Recovery, Ohio. The farm maintained and milked approximately
700 cows (a mixture of Holsteins, Jerseys, and many crossbreeds) and farmed nearly
1600 acres, of which 1200 were grass pasture. The farm employed 30 people, which
included family members. In early 2003, The farm experienced a few years of poor
cash flow, labor issues, and other confinement headaches. This encouraged the farm
owners to explore cost-reduction and efficiency improvement options. Figure 22.1 dis-
plays a typical farm operation.
One such cost-reduction initiative involved conducting a solid waste audit to ana-
lyze and minimize the costs associated with solid waste disposal and management. A
group consisting of the farm owners and several family members was formed to ana-
lyze the farm’s solid waste generation. A solid waste audit was conducted with the
assistance of industrial engineering students from The University of Toledo. Results

Figure 22.1 Dairy farm operations.