LTC-E
Liquid treatment for higher-fiber manure and crusting, monthly or as an amendment when a crust needs extra help.
LTC-E is a liquid product made for manure with a lot of fiber. It is used for monthly treatment where higher-fiber manure and crusting are the problem, or as an amendment when a crust needs additional help breaking down. LTC-E combines bacteria, enzymes, and better dispersion to help break down high-fiber manure faster and more efficiently.
The problem it solves
Crust is a mat of fiber and other material that begins to float on top of liquid manure. Undigested fibers, dust, and other floating material collect at the surface, mat together, and gradually change the makeup of the pit. As the layer builds, it can become thick, dense, and difficult to break apart or pump.
Some operations put far more fiber into the manure stream than others. Cattle rations with corn stalks and other fibrous feed, heavy bedding, and high-forage dairy diets all load the system with material that is slow to break down, and a standard monthly treatment may need help keeping up.
A crust is a problem in several directions at once. It seals gas underneath, it takes up volume you need, it adds hours to agitation, and a firm, moist, undisturbed surface is where flies breed.
How it works
LTC-E is made for manure with a lot of fiber. The enzymes first break down larger pieces of feed and organic matter, making it easier for the bacteria to keep working on that material.
It also contains a non-ionic surfactant that helps the product spread and make better contact throughout the manure.
LTC-E combines bacteria, enzymes, and better dispersion to help break down high-fiber manure faster and more efficiently. It is the liquid product for ongoing treatment of high-fiber manure; Crust Digester is the powdered product used during washout to soak into and break down manure crusts.
What results look like
PitCharger treatment is designed to help break down fibrous material and weaken the crust so it can move back into the manure system. Most producers should notice a difference within the first month, with continued improvement through the second and third months, and significant results are normally measured after about six months.
As the fiber breaks down, solids become easier to suspend during agitation and manure moves more easily during pumping. On a heavy multi-year crust, a deep pit can keep improving below the surface before the top looks different.
Once a crust is under control, monthly treatment keeps new fiber from accumulating faster than it breaks down. That is the difference between breaking a crust once and not having crust as an ongoing condition.
Specifications
| Form | Liquid |
|---|---|
| Active | Bacteria and enzymes, with a non-ionic surfactant for dispersion |
| Use | Monthly treatment of high-fiber manure, or a crust amendment |
| Container sizes | 3-gallon and 5-gallon buckets |
| Shipping | UPS, Spee-Dee Delivery, or LTL freight |
| Typical rate | Hog: ~1 gallon per month per 1,000 head. Cattle and dairy: ~1 gallon per 75 animals |
| Results timeline | Most notice a difference in month one; significant results measured at about six months |
| Safety | Safe around cattle, horses, pets, children, and vegetation |
| On market since | 1998 |
Where it applies
- Cattle barns with high-fiber rations and heavy bedding
- Dairy lagoons and storage pits with forage fiber loading
- Deep pit barns with crust under the slats
- Earthen lagoons with a heavy surface mat
- Any pit where a standard monthly treatment needs help with crust
Dosing and shipping
A pit or lagoon with an established crust generally starts at a higher rate than long-run maintenance, because you are breaking down accumulated fiber rather than the current month's. Typical maintenance for hog operations is about one gallon per month per 1,000 head, and about one gallon per 75 animals for cattle and dairy. Lagoon rates may be adjusted based on the manure already in the lagoon and the amount expected to be added each month. We size the initial rate separately from maintenance during the consultation.
PitCharger ships by UPS, Spee-Dee Delivery, and LTL freight, depending on the size and destination of the order. Auto-Ship is available for customers who want scheduled monthly delivery. Most producers notice a difference within the first month; significant results are normally measured after about six months.
LTC-E questions
What is the difference between LTC-E and Crust Digester?
LTC-E is the liquid product for ongoing treatment of high-fiber manure. Crust Digester is the powdered product used during washout to soak into and break down manure crusts.
When would I use LTC-E instead of Manure Digester?
Manure Digester is the flagship monthly treatment. LTC-E is used for monthly treatment where the manure carries a lot of fiber and crusting is the problem, or as an amendment alongside the regular program when a crust needs additional help breaking down. The consultation sorts out which fits your operation.
How thick a crust can it handle?
Thickness matters less than how long it has been building and how much fiber is in it. Heavy, old crusts take longer. Send photos to the consultation; that plus your ration and bedding practice tells us more than a depth measurement.
Should I agitate first?
Usually not necessary, and agitating a heavy crust before treatment can be dangerous because of trapped gas. Discuss timing with us before you agitate a crusted pit. In most cases treatment goes in first and the crust weakens on its own.
Will the crust come back?
New fiber enters the pit continuously from feed and bedding. Monthly treatment keeps breakdown ahead of accumulation. Stop treating and fiber outpaces it, and the crust can reform over subsequent months.
Does it work in cold weather?
Bacterial activity slows as temperature drops, so winter results are slower than summer results in an outdoor lagoon. Deep pits under a barn stay warmer and are less affected. We account for your climate and structure when setting rates.
Related
Products
- Crust Digester: Powdered bacteria-and-enzyme product used during barn washout to soak into and break down manure crusts
- Manure Digester: PitCharger's flagship product for monthly manure treatment. Contains up to 51 strains of bacteria
- N-Loc: For maximum odor reduction. Addresses odor-producing compounds in the system rather than masking them