FAQ
Stewardsmith Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is your system really at no cost to the dairy?
A. Yes. Stewardsmith will take on and pay for all project costs including 100% of the operational and management costs once construction is complete. The dairy is not obligated to pay anything.
Q. Is there a preferred size of dairy that is most ideal for a Stewardsmith project?
A. Dairies that have at least 1000 head are the best fit. There is no size range maximum.
Q. What does your system offer to the host dairy?
A. A Stewardsmith outsourced manure management system offers the host dairy full operational takeover of the dairy waste stream after it is flushed or scraped into the primary collection pit. This saves the dairy time and money. The dairy will have the option of using processed manure fiber as a pathogen free bedding at no cost. We can also negotiate project profit sharing based on each dairy’s site specifics.
Q. How much profit sharing is offered to the dairy?
A. This depends on the size of the dairy, final estimated construction costs and other factors that we will openly negotiate with the dairy.
Q. Is the material derived from the system okay to use as cow bedding?
A. Absolutely. Our processed manure fiber is pathogen free, weed seed free and free from mastitis. It is recyclable, renewable, safe as well as soft and comfortable for the animals. Using bedding from the system will naturally save the dairy in overall costs.
Q. Can the dairy host invest in these systems?
A. Of course. We are open to partnerships with each dairy we contact.
Q. We have heard of many digesters that have failed recently. How will your digester be different?
A. In our meetings we hear this question a lot. The real answer is that we agree there are many digesters that are underperforming and even failing due to poor project design, cheap equipment and mismanagement of the system including systems that have no professional oversight at all. We don’t intend on repeating others’ mistakes. It should also be noted that for every local digester that has failed there are dozens of other sites where digestion is operating successfully. Many of these sites are in Europe, but there are also very good projects operating in the U.S. It should be noted that our projects will be much more than just a digester tank. We have identified that what goes in and what comes out of the tank itself and how it is integrated with other pieces of equipment has everything to do with project success and failure. We will work to optimize all aspects of the project including the digesters.
Q. What will Stewardsmith do if the project fails?
A. First of all, we never plan to fail and that is why our project models have been vetted out over several years of research, practical experience and professional engineer review, but if for some reason a project does fail we will breakdown the equipment and haul whatever we can off site. The worst case scenario is the dairy is left with a couple of steel tanks and concrete pads on site.
Q. Does Stewardsmith currently have a project running yet?
A. We don’t own and operate a completed project yet, however, all of our project designs down to our equipment manufacturers are top of the line and have been assimilated into our project model because of their reliability and product guarantees. Every piece of equipment used in our systems has been proven in applications worldwide, we will simply combine them all into one comprehensive system.
Q. How long is the term of the project?
A. A majority of our contracts are 15 year deals.
Q. Will the electricity generated from the project be used by the dairy to offset its usage?
A. The way we structure the project is for all of the electricity to be sold back to the prevailing utility under a power purchase agreement. The only exception is for the immediate electricity needs of the system itself. We have identified this as the most profitable solution. The dairy many times receives the benefit of this transaction through profit sharing.
Q. Are there other byproducts the dairy will have access to?
A. Besides bedding, our system will also create heat waste from the genset. Some of this will be used to regulate the temperature of the digesters while the rest will be made available for purchase by the dairy to be used in producing hot water, heat or even air conditioning.
Q. Does weather affect how the system performs?
A. Climate is always taken into account when we design a system and adjustments are made to maximize each site. There is no weather condition that impedes our ability to do a project.
Q. What is the footprint of a typical Stewardsmith system?
A. For most projects we anticipate about 1-2 acres. A lease of this land from the dairy will be part of the agreement.
Q. Will there be a lot of outside people on our dairy like truck traffic and Stewardsmith employees?
A. Most sites will only require one Stewardsmith employee and two at the most. They may not be on site every day as the system will also be tied into an internet monitoring system that can be accessed remotely. There will be some truck traffic depending on the size of the dairy and how much fiber must be removed daily, but this will not impede dairy operations and will be similar to everyday truck traffic already taking place.
Q. What changes will the dairy have to make in order to have one of these systems?
A. We only ask that if there is going to be a major change in dairy operations we are notified in advance so we can make proper adjustments to the system. Small things like copper sulfate use, other foot bath items and bedding adjustments should also be communicated. The system will benefit the dairy only as much as it is incorporated into real dairy operations.
Q. How will Stewardsmith work with the dairy?
A. We intend to maximize the profitability and operation of each individual dairy we partner with. We are guests on the dairy site and our project will only be as profitable and healthy as the dairy itself. It is our intention to work side-by-side with the host producer with a combined solution to manure management without ever impeding day-to-day operations.
Q. What substrates will be used and will the dairy have a say in them?
A. We will both agree upon any substrates before they will be brought on site and used in the system.
Q. This sounds too good to be true, what’s the catch and why is Stewardsmith doing this?
A. We see a need in the dairy sector for a comprehensive solution to the manure waste stream that has not yet been implemented. Our project model is not theoretical, it is based on years of research and practical applications worldwide. We are simply tying all the parts and pieces together with a professional business model that will make revenue. The bottom line is these systems will be profitable, will benefit the dairies and their communities and solve a growing problem for U.S. dairies. For us it’s not why are we doing it, it’s why hasn’t anyone done it yet.
Q. Will a Stewardsmith system help my dairy meet federal and state regulations?
A. Yes. Our systems offer lower solids in the lagoons thereby reducing the risk of overflow. We create a managed mechanism for solids removal from the dairy site that the dairy itself never has to deal with. We can also discuss ways to remove nutrients and help the dairy manage its nutrient loading. The regulatory and community benefits of the system are very real and have been attested to by department of agriculture employees.
Q. If I like the system can the dairy buy it out later on?
A. That’s always a possibility. We are open to the discussion.
Q. What has Stewardsmith identified as the best alternative, if any, to anaerobic digestion?
A. There are a few other options out there, but for a majority of dairies anaerobic digestion continues to be the best overall solution.
Q. Can we see a site that Stewardsmith operates?
A. We currently don’t have a site up and running yet, although we do have other partners in this sector who would be willing to let us tour their sites so our customers can get a feel for what our projects will basically look like.
Q. What will be done with the leftover manure solids from the system?
A. We will sell them into the horticulture industry as a soil amendment. The host dairy will share in these profits just as from the electricity sales.
Q. Can Stewardsmith guarantee the project will be successful?
A. Our staff includes professional engineers, finance people and management and operations professionals with decades of combined experience. While no project can be guaranteed we are not in this business to fail and with Stewardsmith taking on 100% of the project costs we have an incredible amount at stake in the final outcome and will use all resources available to make it work.