Kansas State University is leading a new $6 million initiative that could change the way livestock operations, including swine farms, manage manure and wastewater. The project’s goal is simple but ambitious — to turn livestock waste into clean water and renewable energy while supporting long-term conservation of vital water resources like the Ogallala Aquifer.
This four-year project brings together experts from Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College. Their combined efforts aim to create a sustainable, circular system that recycles animal wastewater, captures valuable nutrients, and generates clean energy from livestock manure.
For pork producers, the potential impact is significant. Waste management continues to be one of the largest challenges in modern swine production — both in cost and environmental footprint. This project’s focus on water recovery and energy production could offer practical solutions for farms of all sizes, reducing dependence on fresh water and helping to lower operational expenses through energy efficiency.
The team plans to spend the first three years developing and testing innovative waste-to-resource technologies before moving into field trials in the final year. The project will also explore the social and economic aspects of implementation, ensuring that new systems are cost-effective and practical for producers.
By advancing these technologies, researchers hope to create a blueprint for sustainable livestock operations — one that conserves water, reduces odors and emissions, and turns everyday waste into valuable resources. For swine producers looking to the future, projects like this could redefine what environmental stewardship looks like inside and outside the barn.
