Machine recycles cow dung

Press, 13 March 1985, Page 2

Machine recycles cow dung

PA Auckland Two Auckland inventors have patented a machine for feeding cattle dung back to its manufacturers. The experiment began eight years ago but now Messrs Ed and Terry O’Sullivan have perfected a machine which could earn millions of dollars overseas. Their dung-processing machines, which “harvest” dung from about 300 animals into a nutritious dried meal, would sell for about $50,000 each, and are exacted to attract much interest overseas. Mr Terry O’Sullivan said that millions of dollars had been spent in the United States trying to solve the problem of animal effluent disposal. In the Netherlands, farmers engaged in illegal “dung running” to dump unwanted manure. The dung processor is reported to separate liquid effluent, which is spread back on pastures, from nonsoluble substances, which . are converted into a succulent feed, apparently relished by the animals.

Mr O’Sullivan said the food was suitable only for several-stomached or ruminant animdls that chewed the cud. Recycling the cow pats enabled the animals to extract nutrients they missed the first time.