The data presented include the digesters that are installed on or were planned for working dairy, swine, and caged-layer poultry farms. It excludes 65 to 70 digesters that are installed on or were planned for beef farms, and digesters that are primarily university research oriented. The numerical status is not the whole story. Surveyed farmers who have installed and continue to operate digesters are generally satisfied with their investment decisions. Moreover, without the environmental benefits provided by AD technology, some might have been forced out of livestock production.
AD is sometimes the only technology that allows growth in the livestock production business.
Turning a waste liability into a profit center that generates annual revenues can moderate the impacts of declining commodity prices and diversify farm income. None of the farmers surveyed with an operating anaerobic digester said that they regret their basic decisions. Most would have preferred to spend less money on design and installation, but they are unsure of exactly how costs could have been cut. Many seek new ways to increase profitability by selling coproducts, primarily the digested solids. They would like additional assistance in determining how best to optimize the value-added coproducts.