In-Vessel Composters for Organic Waste Processing

This drum-style BIOvator in-vessel composter is built for active livestock operations to simplify daily chores. This system cuts waste processing down to 4 to 14 days while eliminating off-farm hauling fees.

If you are ready to simplify your daily chores, request a custom capacity consultation for a BIOvator in-vessel composter or call us at (712) 261-0137.

Stop paying for off-farm disposal and take control of your waste management with a system we run on our own farm. We run it daily.

“I no longer depend on off-farm dead stock pick-up, which I feel has definitely improved the biosecurity of my operation.” – Ted Neufeld, T and D Neufeld Farms

Learn more about Bierman Equipment and our hands-on agricultural experience.

In-Vessel Composter Systems for Controlled Organic Waste Processing

How an In-Vessel Composter Manages Heat and Airflow

The enclosed drum shields organic material from weather and outside contamination. It works like a pressure cooker for waste, keeping the process faster, hotter, and fully contained. Odors stay contained. Inside, microbes get a stable chamber where temperatures climb to the optimal range of 131°F to 160°F, per EPA Composting Approaches. Holding that threshold above 131°F for at least 3 consecutive days meets pathogen reduction requirements under federal standards, per USDA National Organic Program Compost Guidelines. Forced aeration, which draws air through the composting mass rather than pushing it, keeps oxygen levels steady. This prevents temperatures from spiking past 160°F, where beneficial microbes begin to die, and it carries off excess moisture and ammonia before they become a problem.

At Bierman Equipment, we do not just sell machinery because we run these systems on our own operation in Larrabee, Iowa. An enclosed in-vessel composter simplifies animal waste composting by keeping moisture, oxygen, and heat in continuous balance, converting raw waste into finished compost without the labor burden of traditional open piles.

How Enclosed Composting Improves Speed and Biosecurity

Feedstock Preparation, Moisture, and Carbon Balance

Primary composting finishes in 10 to 21 days inside the vessel, compared to several months for outdoor windrows. An initial carbon-to-nitrogen ratio near 30:1 by volume, per EPA Composting Approaches, gives microbes the right fuel mix without generating excess ammonia or odor. Because the system is adaptable, you can dial in that ratio using materials already on your farm, like wood shavings or straw. It keeps things simple. On-site processing helps with biosecurity risk reduction by eliminating rendering trucks entirely, which removes one of the most direct disease spread pathways on a working livestock operation.

• Enclosed drum design locks out scavengers, birds, and pests.
• Maintains natural composting heat year-round, even in freezing Iowa winters.
• Cuts daily chore time and eliminates off-farm hauling fees.

Choosing Capacity and Controls for Your Operation

Sizing starts with your daily waste volume: vessel length and diameter scale to match, so you are not purchasing capacity you will not use. The electric drive system rotates the drum automatically on a programmable interval, which means no tractor time and no manual turning schedule. That saves labor. The NRCS cost-share program can offset a significant portion of the purchase price for eligible agricultural operations, shortening the payback period considerably.

Managing agricultural waste also means following local and federal compliance. An enclosed system helps you satisfy strict animal carcass disposal regulations by containing all leachate and neutralizing odors before they ever leave the vessel.

• Electric drive system runs quietly with low utility costs.
• Heavy-duty steel construction resists corrosion from acidic organic materials.
• Simple controls allow you to set rotation intervals and monitor temperatures easily.

Technical Specifications and Daily Capacity

Model	Vessel Diameter	Power Requirements
BIOvator	4 Feet	120V Single Phase
BIOvator5544	5.5 Feet	220V Three-Phase

Get a custom payback calculation and pricing for your in-vessel composting system. We make it simple. Contact our team for a custom quote.

Operational Advantages: Labor, Odor, and Space

Labor, Odor, and Space Advantages Over Open Piles

Automated drum rotation replaces the tractor work required to turn windrows: there is no loader time, no compacted turning pads, and no shifting plans around a wet week. Negative aeration draws odors through a biofilter before they reach your yard, which matters when your operation sits close to neighbors or a county road. A single enclosed vessel handles the heavy lifting that would otherwise require hundreds of feet of outdoor windrow space, returning that ground to productive use. It saves valuable space.

“…it’s just become a much more pleasant operation in dealing with the unpleasant side of livestock production.” – Mike Heppell, E and H Farms

We know that buying new equipment is a decision that keeps operators up at night. That is why we invite you to visit our farm and see these systems run in real-world conditions. We will walk you through daily loading, moisture balancing, and discharge firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the composting process take inside the vessel?

The active, high-heat composting phase takes between 10 to 21 days, after which the material is discharged and ready for a short secondary curing phase.

Does this system require a specific carbon-to-nitrogen recipe?

While an initial carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 30:1 by volume is ideal, per EPA Composting Approaches, our systems are highly forgiving. We will help you build a simple recipe using materials you already have on hand, like wood shavings.

Can I compost livestock mortalities in an in-vessel system?

Yes. The system simplifies mortalities handling for everything from weanling pigs to large sows. The consistent high heat breaks down soft tissues and kills pathogens safely.

“Anything that dies here, we compost it (with BIOvator™). We compost everything on the farm from the weanling pigs after birth to the 500- and 600-pound sows to any of the other gilts in the operation.” – Henry Moore, Operator, Bobcat Farms

Is there an NRCS cost-share program available for this equipment?

Yes, many agricultural operators qualify for the NRCS cost-share program, which can cover a significant portion of the system cost. We can help you navigate the paperwork.

How does the system perform during cold Midwestern winters?

Because the vessel is fully insulated and enclosed, it holds the natural heat generated by beneficial microbes, maintaining optimal temperatures even in sub-zero weather.

What kind of daily maintenance does the machine require?

Maintenance is minimal: checking moisture levels in your input recipe, keeping air vents clear, and performing basic grease-point lubrication on the drive system.

“We are convinced that we made the right decision in mortality management … I would recommend using a BIOvator™ to anyone.”, Dennis Stevenson, Product Manager, Sunnydale Farms

Contact Us Today

Let’s talk about what works for your land. Contact Bierman Equipment by calling Tim Bierman at (712) 261-0137 to schedule a visit to our farm and see the system in action.

Creeks Composters: The 24-Hour Offal Solution

The Creeks Composter is a fully automatic, electric waste converter that turns meat by-products and food waste into treated compost with minimal oversight. It is designed for small and large-scale industrial environments where speed and ease of use are non-negotiable.

• “Fill It, Shut It, Forget It”: The system is built for a busy processing floor. Load your offal and or food waste, and the automated system handles the rest.
• Rapid 24-Hour Turnaround: While traditional composting takes months, Creeks utilizes advanced electric processing assisted with enzymes to treat your waste in just one day.
• Engineered for Meat By-Products: From trimmings, internal organs, bones and hides the system efficiently breaks down animal organics into a stable, manageable solid.
• No Methane, No Hassle: Unlike anaerobic systems, Creeks is an aerobic, electric process. You don’t have to worry about gas capture, methane leaks, or complex plumbing.
• Industrial Scale: These units are ideal for small to high-volume factories and meat plants that need to clear the floor daily to maintain strict hygiene protocols.