E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
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NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
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WWW.TECHNIPHARM.CO.NZ 0800 80 90 98 NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
TAKE THE NEXT STEP TO FUTURE-PROOFING YOUR FARM Welcome to our NZ Dairy Exporter special publication, Effluent Management Solutions. ur aim with this publication is to focus on solutions for today’s effluent management challenges. We’ve sourced editorial and advertising from a range of national and regional companies who service the dairy farm sector with effluent management products and services. Also included in this publication is advice from DairyNZ and independent advisors on effluent system design and compliance. The first step to create or maintain a compliant effluent system on your dairy farm could be as simple as contacting one of the advertisers who have supported this publication. They are all committed to providing value to the dairy farm sector. Achieving compliance is not avoidable. It is a requirement to continue supplying your milk to your chosen milk company. Focus on the future and the rewards are tangible, but so is the financial and emotional pain for those who continue to not meet the standard required for our global dairy markets.
More than ever before, the focus is on farming to deliver on environmental standards to ensure our dairy produce remains at the top when consumers seek safe food options for their families. We might be a long way from our markets in the rest of the world but dropping the ball on maintaining our standards onfarm is only a social media post away from a potentially disastrous backlash. It’s been a challenging, cool and damp spring so far in 2021, so here’s hoping the weather warms up soon. Like many of you who are second or third generation farm owners with links to the land dating back 100 years, NZ Dairy Exporter is approaching its 100th year of publishing. The first issue was printed in 1925 and we’d love you to join us soon on the journey to another 100 years. If you’re already a subscriber to NZ Dairy Exporter, we thank you. If you’re not a subscriber, then visit nzfarmlife. co.nz to find out how you can enjoy and benefit from the country’s most-trusted dairy farming publication. Tony Leggett, Publisher
ADVERTISER INDEX AgFirst Engineering Archway Group Bioworks Casio Industries DairyNZ Effluent & Irrigation Design Flexi Tanks NZ Forsi Innovations Forward Farming IS Dam Lining Kliptank Laser Electrical Putaruru Nevada Numedic Origin Agroup Pedley Slurry Service Precise Dairy Effluent Prime Pumps Ravensdown Ltd Reid & Harrison Ltd Strautmann Hopkins TechniPharm Tow & Farm Williams Engineering Winstone Gypsum
10 9 14 11 8 27 18 27 29 13 4 26 15 19 17 26 20 12 7 31 24 2/3 32 25 23
Front cover: Southland dairy farmers Anita and Abe de Wolde installed a massive Ecobag capable of storing up to 8000 cubic metres of effluent from their dairy unit. The Ecobag was supplied by Technipharm. Find out more about their effluent management system pages 22-23. Picture: Edwin Mabonga.
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NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
TREATMENT CUTS POND METHANE EMISSIONS RAVENSDOWN AND LINCOLN University have discovered a way for dairy farmers to cut methane emissions by about 5%. They’ve found an effluent treatment – an additive used in drinking water treatment – can mitigate almost all of the methane produced in an effluent pond. On most dairy farms those emissions equate to about 4-5% of the farm’s total methane emissions. By 2030 farmers are expected to reduce methane emissions by 10% of 2017 levels. The EcoPond system due to launch this month with the installation of a commercial-sized system at the Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm, is also being installed on a Canterbury dairy farm. For many dairy farms the EcoPond system will give them the biggest opportunity currently available to make significant progress in achieving the 2030 target without affecting milk production.
ABOVE: Ravensdown Cleartech product manager Carl Ahlfield says the EcoPond system can be retrofitted to existing dairy effluent ponds. LEFT: Lincoln University emeritus professor Keith Cameron and Lincoln University professor Hong Di discovered the potential breakthrough while working on the EcoPond science behind the Cleartech system.
The system works by inhibiting the growth of methanogens and also creating an environment that’s not conducive to methanogenesis – through which methane is produced.
The discovery by Lincoln University emeritus professor Keith Cameron and Lincoln University professor Hong Di came during additional studies they were carrying out into the ClearTech system they also helped develop. The EcoPond additive, ferric sulphate is the same additive used in the ClearTech system although the EcoPond system doesn’t require a mixing tank. Instead, the ferric sulphate is mixed with the effluent “in-line” as the effluent flows to the effluent pond. That means EcoPond doesn’t produce clarified water for recycling as yard washdown water but it does mean it will come at about a third to half the cost of the ClearTech system. The system works by inhibiting the growth of methanogens and also creating an environment that’s not conducive to methanogenesis – through which methane 6
is produced. Studies by the Lincoln scientists have shown methane emissions can be virtually eliminated with reductions of 99.9% possible in effluent. ClearTech product manager Carl Ahlfeld says the system has huge potential for all New Zealand dairy farmers as the system can be retrofitted into existing systems. A programmable logic control (PLC) will automatically control the system, adding iron sulphate to the effluent as it flows through to the pond. The PLC maintains the right amount of additive going into the effluent no matter what the pond size or effluent volume is, no matter how wet or dry the season is or
how the effluent’s characteristics might change through the season. Similar Smart technology to that used in ClearTech will be used in the EcoPond system allowing data to be remotely collected and monitored. Studies have shown the treatments during the milking period remain effective over the winter or seasonal dry-off while no effluent is being added to the pond. EcoPond will use similar amounts of the iron sulphate to treat the effluent as the ClearTech system so the annual additive costs will be similar. Like ClearTech, the level of iron sulphate in the storage tank is monitored using a remote system which alerts the contractor directly that a delivery is required so there’s no need for the farmer to monitor or carry out manual ordering. Both the EcoPond and ClearTech systems provide the methane mitigation benefit and both also slash E. coli (Eschericia coli) levels in treated effluent, reduce ammonia emissions and cut phosphate loss to water by up to 90% on effluent areas.
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
BR E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
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*Cameron, K., Di, H., (2021).| Discovery of a new method to reduce methane emissions from farm NZ Dairy Exporter Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021 dairy effluent. Journal of Soils and Sediments, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-021-03014-w
Enabling smarter farming for a better New Zealand™ 0800 100 123 ravensdown.co.nz 7
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EcoPond’s innovative FDE system: • Reduces methane gas (CH4) emissions, and E. coli by up to 99% • Reduces DRP (Dissolved Reactive Phosphate) loss to water by 99% once pond effluent is applied to land • Reduces C02 by up to 50%, and minimises odour
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
A DAIRY EFFLUENT CALCULATOR WITH SMARTS EFFECTIVELY MANAGING EFFLUENT is hugely important – to farmers and the environment. Making best use of farm effluent is one of the ways farmers can help improve water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dairy farmers nationwide have invested considerably in effluent infrastructure and management processes to ensure they comply 365 days of the year. “Well-designed and constructed effluent storage provides a lot of benefits – better flexibility for irrigation, increased nutrient utilisation and peace of mind,” DairyNZ solutions and development lead advisor Adam Duker says. DairyNZ has a range of effluent management resources to help farmers – a great example of dairy farmers’ levy at work.
How much storage do I need? The newly-released DairyNZ online Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator (DESC) is the industry-agreed way to measure your storage requirement. We know no two farms are the same, and this calculator has the smarts to navigate the complexity of individual systems. The calculator uses measurements from your farm, including farm infrastructure, management practices, and soil and climate data to determine the best fit storage volume unique to your Farm Dairy Effluent (FDE) system. Help is at hand DairyNZ recommends final calculations are completed by a suitably qualified person. They will provide you with validation the calculation is accurate. They are well placed to offer suggestions where system
Adam Duker, DairyNZ. .
efficiencies can be improved, thereby reducing the total storage requirement for your farm. Refer to the DairyNZ website for Dairy Effluent WOF assessors and Accredited Effluent System Designers who can help. More? Visit: dairynz.co.nz/effluent.
LOST YOUR PADDLE?
LEARN ABOUT ALL THINGS EFFLUENT
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Self-help Management Guides
WOF Assessors
Infrastructure Guidelines
Accreditation Designers
DON’T GET STUCK UP THE CREEK
visit: www.dairynz.co.nz/effluent
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 0
STORING EFFLUENT ABOVE GROUND WHEN BERNARD AND LINDA Virbickas wanted to add a feed pad to their large herd operation in Bay of Plenty, they also tied an effluent system upgrade into the project. The upgrade on the Otakiri property, sharemilked by their daughter Bridie, was designed so they could flood wash the feed pad with green-water. Precise DE did the accredited design and put together a high-end system including a large drive-in sand trap, large concrete sump with a 7.5kW agitator, a GEA slope screen and solids bunker, and a 4.2 million litre Kliptank with Klipjet stirrers. All the concrete work was completed by Archway Group, and all the pumps and electrical equipment was installed by the team at Think Water Bay of Plenty led by Angus Clark. Instead of using header tanks like traditional flood wash systems, they installed a GEA system which uses a 22kW
The large scale feed pad and effluent system upgrade on the Virbickas’ Bay of Plenty dairy unit.
Grundfos pump to draw the green water directly out of the Kliptank and on to the feed pad on demand, either by automatic timer or manual override. They chose a Kliptank because of soft soils and high water table issues which made a pond very difficult. The added benefit of above ground storage is that all the pumps are flooded suction and do
NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
not require priming. The same pump that runs the flood wash also powers the Klipjet Stirring and Aeration System inside the Kliptank. This is designed to use air bubbles to blast the sludge layer off the bottom and bring the fine solids particles into suspension just prior to irrigation, preventing a long-term build-up of sludge.
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E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
CLEVER TEAM ON HAND NATIONWIDE AGFIRST ENGINEERING SPECIALISES in design and construction of dairy effluent systems. The company is renowned for its highlevel design knowledge, experience in the industry and capability to deliver the highest quality solutions. AgFirst Engineering has system designers, engineering work shops and installation/service crews located in Te Awamutu, Te Puke, Gisborne and Hastings. AgFirst Engineering staff work predominantly in the greater Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu regions. It is also involved in projects nationwide by client demand. Davieth Verheij leads the Waikato Engineering team and is head of Dairy Effluent solutions nationally for AgFirst. Davieth is supported by two of the AgFirst Engineering workshops located on Bond
Road, Te Awamutu and King Street, Te Puke. From Te Awamutu, effluent irrigation equipment is manufactured in house along with importation of key products such as The Weta’s low application at low speeds is a major advantage irrigators, pumps, stirrers, over other travelling irrigators. hoses, and fittings. A key product developed by Davieth and the AgFirst team is the found on low rate irrigators. The Weta has Weta low-rate travelling rain-gun irrigator. speed control via a speed selection dial (in The Weta can achieve low application meters per hour) and turbine by-pass valve. depths at low speeds which provides major Given the efficiency of the hydraulic operational advantages. winch system, most of the flow can be The Weta irrigator is self-propelled via a directed to the rain gun itself thus reducing highly efficient turbine-driven hydraulic flow and pressure loss through the turbine winch system. The turbine drives a and providing more flow and pressure to hydraulic pump and winch motor. This the gun itself. This in turn increases wetted drive system requires a lot less energy than width of the irrigator, reduces application a conventional gearbox solution often rate/depth and required travel speed.
Low rate effluent irriga�on made easy. Even nutrient applica�on with automated irrigator speed control and hydraulic winch system. Even spread from 50m – 100m ACCURATE | DURABLE | USER FRIENDLY | EFFICIENT
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NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
TURN FARM EFFLUENT INTO MEASURED NUTRIENTS EFFLUENT WAS ONCE DISMISSED AS a waste product, yet farm dairy effluent (FDE) can have good levels of nitrogen and potassium, making it a suitable fertiliser for maize and other crops. Effluent “waste” can effectively be recycled - utilising it either on its own or in addition to fertiliser nutrients depending on the paddock history and crop yield targets. When slurry or sludge is applied to land, the solids content also contributes to the soil organic matter. This can be of benefit where paddocks have been repeatedly cropped. What’s more, the nutrients in effluent
GEOGARD GEOGARD
applied to land tend to be slow release, with only about 50% of the N and P available in the first year of application. K is almost all available. So, paddocks with a long history of effluent application may have a large ‘bank’ of nutrients in the soil, waiting to be utilised. That’s why such areas show no response to added fertiliser in the first year out of pasture – and why there is an environmental benefit by planting deep-rooted crops such as maize to extract nutrient that otherwise could be lost to waterways. At Hill Laboratories, the team sees effluent testing as a vital part of nutrient
management. It offers a dairy effluent sampling kit with instructions on how to collect and send an FDE sample. The Certificate of Analysis (report) provides test results in an easy-to read table, and shows a worked example for N, P and K results calculated on a kg/ha basis, for two different application depths. Getting an effluent test done a few times per year is recommended, as the nutrient composition can change according to season, and also cow diet. Contact the team at Hill Laboratories today for more information on farm effluent testing or try our new online ordering through our customer portal.
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NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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It has its own kind of big payout. E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
German designed and manufactured Wangen agricultural pumps, from Prime Pump, have been around the dairy industry since 1969. And improving all the time. Their durability and long service life is absolutely legendary. One customer in Austria went 35 years without having to dismantle his pump or replace any parts. Highly-engineered, the progressive cavity pumps are also helping New Zealand farmers maximise efficient effluent pumping and minimise environmental impact. Slow-running, the pumps achieve or exceed the performance of others while dramatically reducing
Call now 0800 482 747 12
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the cost of ownership and significantly lessening disruptions caused by the need for maintenance or even replacement. The Prime Pump team say once an owner tries a Wangen Pump they’ll never look back, one reporting “catastrophic” failing with some other pumps, but none with Wangen. Ask your local effluent management specialist about Wangen today!
As they say in Germany, “ Anfangen ist leicht, Beharren eine Kunst.”* *“Starting is easy, persistence is an art.”
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NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
PUMPS COMBINE PERFORMANCE AND ENDURANCE GERMAN-DESIGNED AND manufactured Wangen agricultural pumps from Prime Pump have been around the dairy industry since 1969. Founded on a drive for superior performance, trouble-free operation and a commitment to lowering cost of ownership, their slow-running durability and long service life are legendary. One Wangen customer in Austria went 35 years without having to dismantle his pump or replace any parts. Highly engineered, the progressive cavity pumps are also helping New Zealand farmers maximise efficient effluent pumping and minimise environmental impact. Long established in conventional dairy systems they have, more recently, been embraced by the emerging sheep dairy industry. Feedback from both has been positive, according to Ben Petrie, Prime Pump Agri Team Leader. “We find that once clients have tried Wangen, they’ll never go back. It’s quiet,
it’s reliable, and it runs well which is what you need.” His comments are backed-up by the general manager of a successful rural trade services business who says he has seen “fairly catastrophic” failings with some other pumps, but none with Wangen. Petrie says one of the keys to the Wangen pumps’ performance is the Cardan joint; a critical design feature. This knuckle-like system is superior to the conventional pin joint which is subject to rapid wear, resulting in “sloppiness” and ultimately the need for replacement. In contrast the Cardan joint operates smoothly and seamlessly, lasting the lifetime of the pump. The design, which has the same diameter as the rotor ahead, enables consistent flow, and avoids the problem of settling, which effectively removes the
issues related to fibres becoming wrapped around the shaft. A one-piece cartridge mechanical seal, filled with oil, rather than a two-piece system, is also easier and quicker to fit while the oil helps extend the life of the pump. Prime Pump’s specialist effluent range also includes world-leading pumps and stirrers from Italian designed and manufactured Faggiolati, Demark’s LJM and Italy’s Varisco providing a complete solution from high-fibre barn effluent transfer to sump and pond management. More? Visit www.primepump.co.nz
...for a damn good job!
NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
LINING DAMS FOR COMBINED 70 YEARS IS DAM LINING VALUES ITS capability to undertake projects large and small with a high degree of accuracy. Three of its staff have a combined lining experience more than 70 years, with much of this work done in Europe and further afield. Their work has taken them from Uzbekistan to Papua New Guinea and Operations Manager Andrew Taylor says this enables the dam lining crew to operate with efficiency and accuracy on all Farm Dairy Effluent applications. IS Dam Lining is the only accredited FDE lining company in New Zealand, and as a result understands the complete effluent treatment process. IS Dam Lining Technical sales manager Brook Newson says fusion-welded high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE) is the most cost-effective, reliable, and technologically advanced way to contain liquids. To maintain a quality job across all its
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dam lining crew, investment has been made in training to the only real internationally certified training organisation, TWI based in the United Kingdom. Every four years a trainer from the UK is flown out to NZ to train new employees and re-certify existing employees. Test welds from each dam liner are sent to an external Operations manager Andrew Taylor (standing) laboratory in the UK to test the supervises dual track wedge weld on a pond. integrity of the world. Then each year every lining pond has been installed by qualified technician submits a portfolio of their technicians,” he says. recent work to keep their TWI Certification Although the commitment to training active. comes at considerable expense to the Brook says the high level of skill gained company, it is well worth it to know they ensures precision work undertaken in the can be assured of a quality job, Brook says. civil sector can also be called on in the Project manager Iain Neish, formerly dairy sector. from Aberdeen, Scotland, is the companies’ “Farmers can future proof their specialist in floating covers and has done investment because they know their many installations in Europe.
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
GYPSUM SOLVES SODIUM ACCUMULATION DAIRY WASTEWATER CAN BE A useful resource for pasture and crops, however high sodium levels in the wastewater may accumulate in soil and cause drainage issues. Excess sodium leads to low soil water availability and poor soil structure. Soil structure effects may reduce the ability of the soil to receive dairy effluent before surface ponding or runoff occurs. Gypsum is ideal to address any building of sodium in soils receiving dairy effluent, extending the number of years that affected land remains useful for receiving wastewater. Gypsum can also enhance soil structure, water infiltration and drainage in the face of high sodium levels. A gypsum programme should ideally start before critical sodium levels are reached. Sodium in wastewater largely comes from the use of caustic soda and sodium hypochlorite in cleaning and sterilising processes. Sodium is relatively easily leached and gypsum accelerates that leaching to reduce the chance of sodium accumulation. Gypsum is hydrated calcium sulphate. Calcium from gypsum replaces sodium in the soil. The sulphate allows the sodium to be effectively leached out of the soil. The soil then has more ability to flocculate and form stable aggregates to improve drainage and soil quality. The combination of calcium and
sulphate effectively addresses sodium. Calcium release from the partially soluble gypsum is faster than from lime (calcium carbonate). Lime is also unsuitable in many cases as it acts to increase soil pH, Applying Gypsum aids with drainage. pushing out acid hydrogen rather than sodium from the cation exchange. Sometimes subsoil structural issues can Gypsum is typically and most easily reduce drainage and impact on the ability applied as a broadcast application to the of a site to receive wastewater without soil surface. This is also the recommended ponding or surface runoff. method if soil crusting is to be addressed. Gypsum may be helpful if the issue Incorporation of gypsum into the soil is is related to sodium and dispersive clay not generally required as the gypsum can content (clay that loses structure in contact work through the profile of most soils. with water), or if there is a problem with Gypsum can be applied annually or high aluminium availability in an acid every two or three years, at higher rates. subsoil. Many soils will have quite high Gypsum can also reduce surface runoff thresholds for sodium before soil structure of phosphorus and other nutrients by is affected. This depends on the balance improving water infiltration (through of the monovalent cations (sodium and soil structural and chemical changes), by potassium) with calcium and magnesium, binding organic matter and soil particles and the electrical conductivity of the together better, and by increasing the soil. It also appears that soil resilience to ability of soil to drain and thus cope with sodium is increased by the organic content larger water inputs. (lactose etc) in dairy effluent (Cameron et Gypsum also increases the binding al., 2003). of phosphate to soil minerals including Application of gypsum will be most calcium and reduces the susceptibility effective if commenced before soil of all forms of phosphorus to drainage structure is impacted by the sodium and losses. potassium. More? Visit www.gypsum.co.nz
New Zealand’s Dairy Effluent Management Specialists | nevadagroup.co.nz | 0800 464 393 NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
NEW COW SHED = NEW OPPORTUNITIES WAIMACHER FARMS’ OWNERS don’t let opportunities pass them by. Aaron Waimacher has been running two neighbouring properties and when the opportunity arose to buy an adjacent block, the company grabbed it. From there it was full steam ahead in amalgamating the farms and building a new cow shed which also meant a new effluent management system. “Amalgamating the farms provided us the opportunity to make everything more efficient. Investing in a new cow shed and effluent system just made sense,” Aaron says. Once plans for the cow shed were underway it was time to focus on how to manage the effluent. Having visited the farm a few times, Aaron was happy to take advice from Nevada Effluent Management Specialist, Michael Prestidge.
“Aaron’s goal was to have an efficient system that minimised labour and maximised flexibility in when we could apply Nevada technology has been incorporated into the new dairy shed and effluent management system on Aaron Waite’s dairy unit. effluent fast. We worked through all the options to come out with a solution that suited the the effluent liquid was easiest for us.” new farm’s operations,” Michael says. From there a powerful Nevada electric The first consideration was storage. stirrer gets the pond well mixed before a A large HDPE lined pond was the best Sabre progressive cavity (PC) pump (which option to be able to store plenty of effluent is big enough to handle expansions) over wet periods when spreading isn’t an pumps the effluent out to a Greenback option. Magnum travelling irrigator. A weeping wall was considered, but instead “It’s [effluent management system] Aaron installed a double stone trap to very efficient. Much less work than we allow organic solids to pass through into thought. We just run the stirrer for around the pond. 10 minutes before pumping and it gets a “We considered a weeping wall good mix. It certainly grows grass!” Aaron but couldn’t see the point in creating says. two products to be dealt with, keeping More? Visit www.nevada.co.nz
MAKING SAVINGS ON WATER USE THE CLEARTECH EFFLUENT treatment system is giving farmers up to 70% saving in fresh water use in farm dairy yard wash-down water, helping them to meet water use consent conditions and make savings on water pumping costs. The system, developed at Lincoln University in conjunction with Ravensdown has been installed on farms in both the North and South Islands and works by clarifying effluent through an intank, automated process. A coagulant, ferric sulphate, commonly used in drinking water treatment, causes the solids in the effluent to settle out, allowing clarified water to be piped off and stored for use in yard washdown. The coagulant not only settles out the solids it also helps kill the Eschericia coli (E. coli) bacteria by interfering with its cell membrane. Lincoln University emeritus Professor Keith Cameron and Professor Hong Di have published studies showing 99.9% reduction in E. coli levels in the clarified water and a 91% reduction in the settledout, treated effluent. Neil and Margaret Campbell’s, 80016
cow Thorneycroft farm near Geraldine in Canterbury has been able to cut its freshwater use for yard wash down by 67% from 26,611 cubic meetres/year to 7870 cu m/year. On a per cow basis that’s equivalent to a drop from 105 litres/cow/day to 35 litres/ cow/day. ClearTech was retrofitted into their existing effluent system by adding a mixing tank, a clarified water storage tank and installing a coagulant tank and controller, plus a sump pump. That’s cut their effluent volume by 60%, effectively increasing their storage capacity. It’s also allowed them to delay the start date for irrigating effluent on to paddocks by 22 days. The number of effluent irrigation runs needed per year has been more than halved too, dropping from 146/year to 58 runs/year. That’s meant time spent setting up and managing effluent irrigation has dropped from 292 hours/year to 116 hours. Valuable nutrients aren’t lost through the treatment process and in fact, recent research has shown that phosphorus (P) losses through leaching can be reduced
Emeritus Professor Keith Cameron and Professor Hong Di have published studies showing 99.9% reduction in E. coli levels in the clarified water and a 91% reduction in the settled-out, treated effluent.
– meaning more P is available for plant growth. Iron from the coagulant and phosphate in the effluent react to form more stable iron phosphate compounds in the treated effluent which become plantavailable at a slower rate. While P is most commonly lost to water through the movement of soil it can also be lost through leaching particularly under effluent areas – and research has shown this can be six times greater than other areas on the farm. Studies found P leaching losses from the treated effluent were cut by up to 99%.
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
PENDISLIIDE – Suitable for grass land farming Hoses fitted with spring loaded wear-resistant skids apply pressure on the ground separating the plant apart so nutrients are placed closer to the roots for increased nutrient absorption without covering the plant.
JOSKIN now offer a new simple effluent spreading boom which can fit all existing JOSKIN tankers (old and New) as well as retro fit any other tanker brand*
TOPPERS
MUCK SPREADERS
TIPPING TRAILERS
NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK KAITAIA Kaitaia Tractors 09 408 0670 WHANGAREI Piako Tractors Northland 09 438 1319 SILVERDALE AGrowQuip NZ Ltd 09 427 9137 PUKEKOHE AGrowQuip NZ Ltd 09 237 0043 MORRINSVILLE Piako Tractors 07 889 7055 MATAMATA Matamata Tractors & Machinery (07) 888 6292 HAMILTON AGrowQuip NZ Ltd 07 847 0425 CAMBRIDGE AGrowQuip NZ Ltd 07 827 5184 ROTORUA Piako Tractors Ltd 07 345 8560 STRATFORD FieldTorque Taranaki 06 765 8643 GISBORNE Stevenson and Taylor 06 863 2612 WAIPUKURAU Stevenson and Taylor 06 858 6041 DANNEVIRKE Lancaster Tractors 06 374 7731 * Normal lending criteria and special conditions apply.
PENTITWIST – Suitable for Arable and Grass land farming or rough terrain 7.5m working width spread effluent close to the ground laying the slurry close to the plant roots.
PALMERSTON NORTH Transag Centre 06 354 7164 MASTERTON Wairarapa Machinery Services 06 377 3009 NELSON Drummond & Etheridge 03 543 8041 BLENHEIM Drummond & Etheridge 03 579 1111 KAIKOURA Drummond & Etheridge 03 319 7119 GREYMOUTH Drummond & Etheridge 03 768 5116 CHRISTCHURCH Drummond & Etheridge 03 349 4883 ASHBURTON Drummond & Etheridge 03 307 9911 TIMARU Drummond & Etheridge 03 687 4005 OAMARU Drummond & Etheridge 03 437 1111 MOSGIEL JJ Limited 03 489 8199 GORE JJ Limited 03 208 9370 INVERCARGILL JJ Limited 03 211 0013
SILAGE TRAILERS
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
PUMPING FURTHER IS SIMPLE NUMEDIC HAS INTRODUCED THE latest addition to its growing pump range – the HP series of Progressive Cavity pumps. These positive displacement pumps produce high flow and pressure to operate very efficiently, requiring lower power input resulting in reduced operating costs. “The Numedic team is focused on customer feedback and offering the most appropriate products to help ensure that our farmers achieve the outcomes they want both in performance, reliability and lower ongoing maintenance costs. “We work with our customers based on what they want, providing ideas, offering our advice, expertise, and options. Adding a progressive cavity pump was a logical extension and will complement our very successful centrifugal effluent pump range. “In some applications, a single-stage centrifugal pump is the best choice, in others it makes a lot of sense to go to a progressive cavity pump as it will
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provide high performance when needed or when power supply is limited,” Numedic’s managing director Andrew Millar says. These pumps achieve high head pressure with smaller motors – either 5.5kW or 7.5kW, allowing these pumps to tackle longer mainlines, challenging terrains and running larger irrigators. You no longer need to have large power capacity to pump further afield, and you can extend your irrigation area without having to increase
pump size. Numedic HP series pumps are fitted with pump protection equipment in case of any issues such as suction inlet blockage, unusual flow, pressure increase or decrease. The technology behind these pumps allows ease of maintenance, extended service life and significantly reduced life cycle costs. More? Email info@numedic.co.nz, or phone 0800 686334.
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
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KEEPING EFFLUENT OUT OF THE RAIN IT HAS ONLY BEEN JUST OVER A year since Westland dairy farmers Darren and Jennifer Hislop had their Flexi Tank NZ installed but they are extremely pleased with the benefits that have resulted from it. Every year in spring on their 71-hectare farm, when the rainfall is at its heaviest in the Westport area, Darren and Jennifer would lose a lot of capacity in their three effluent ponds. It was the forward thinking of these Westport farmers that led them to Flexi Tanks NZ as a storage solution for their effluent. They did some research and looked at various options but found that with the Flexi Tank being enclosed and the lower cost, meant other storage solutions couldn’t compete. The couple installed a 500 cubic metre (500,000-litre) Flexible Effluent Bladder tank. Effluent is pumped into the bladder
tank directly from a concrete holding tank, after having been filtered through a wedge and sand trap system. It is then very easy for Darren to connect his PTO Pump directly to the Flexi Tank and pump out to his irrigator directly from there when needed. They decided to go bigger than needed with their tank, so it gives them the “luxury of time to wait to irrigate which is needed especially on the West Coast,” Jennifer says. Darren was “surprised and pleased with the lack of solids present when pumping from the Flexi Tank”. They have found that the effluent collected in their Flexi Tank is much higher quality than they had previously from their ponds and no crusting or smell to deal with either is an added bonus.
A Flexitank set up onfarm.
When asked what the top three benefits were, Darren and Jennifer said they “loved the aesthetics of the Flexi Tank in the surrounding environment” along with it “taking up less room than your standard effluent pond” but the main benefit would have to be “no longer wasting time pumping rainwater on to paddocks”. Flexi Tanks are a cost-effective solution ideal for all dairy farmers throughout New Zealand. The enclosed bladders have been manufactured in France since 1959 by Labaronne Citaf and store anywhere from 100 litres to 2 million litres of effluent. Designed to be safe, practical and easy, you can see why so many farmers are trusting Flexi Tanks over other traditional alternatives. More? Visit www.flexitanks.co.nz
W E N
Next level performance Entry level price Introducing Numedic HP Series Pumps
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Effluent Pumps, Stirrers, Pontoons & Hydrants | Travelling & Stationary Irrigators | Power Drenching & Teat Spray Systems
FOR MORE INFO CALL 0800
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NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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NZ’S LEADING DAIRY EFFLUENT STORAGE BLADDERS It’s unique design makes removing solids from the bladder easy Vortex Bladders not only offer the many advantages of a standard storage bladder/ flexible tank, but also offer an effective and hassle-free solution to removing solids from the bladder. This is done by delivering the solids to the centre and bottom of the bladder where the central drain hole is located, and with a few other innovations it makes the Vortex Bladder a leader in its field. Let’s face it the removal of solids from all types of storage options is a real challenge, but the Vortex Bladder was always designed to help address this issue. When you get a Vortex Bladder from us, you also get expert and Regional Council recognised accredited advice on sizing your storage and how to get your Vortex Bladder to work effectively with the infrastructure you have already or are going to need, as we are experts in “Anything and Everything Dairy Effluent” and are “Farm Dairy Effluent System Design Accredited”, we are not just a supplier of bladders/flexible tanks. Allan Crouch, Angus Clarke and Brian Nicholson are veterans in the dairy
effluent world. With over 50 years of experience in the industry between them, and the designing of hundreds of effluent systems in New Zealand – and further abroad – under their belts. ‘For anything and everything dairy effluent’ is their slogan, and it’s not an exaggeration. At Precise DE Allan, Angus and Brian supply advice; design
effluent systems suited to each specific farm they work on; supply products, from storage solutions to irrigation equipment; regardless of where in the country their customers are, through a network of trusted and experienced dealers close to you. Contact us at www.precisede.co.nz
Farm Dairy Effluent System Design Accredited PRECISE DE
For ANYTHING and EVERYTHING Dairy Effluent
www.precisede.co.nz
Allan Crouch: 021909463 Angus Clarke: 0274983146 Brian Nicholson: 0274924046
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
GREEN WATER YARD WASHING A NO-BRAINER! By Logan Bowler WHEN CALCULATING HOW MUCH EFFLUENT STORAGE is required on individual farms, there are several options for reducing storage requirements. One that has many benefits, other than just reducing storage, is using recycled effluent (green water) for washing the yard. The volume of water used in the dairy shed and yard has a large impact on storage requirements. In general, for a normal herringbone shed using 70 litres of water/cow/day, 10% of the water is used for plant washing, 25% is used for hosing out the bail area and the rest (65%) is used to hose the yard. So, by installing a green water yard washing system, daily water use can be slashed by up to 65%. The many benefits add up to a compelling reason to seriously think about implementing this onfarm. These include electricity saved from pumping a lot less water from source (surface water or bore), halved pumping time for effluent irrigation and labour-free washing of the dairy shed yard. On an example Waikato farm, it resulted in a whopping 74 fewer effluent runs (200-metre runs) per year with the effluent irrigator. That’s a saving of 74 times each season someone needs to turn the irrigator around and set up a new run. On top of all this, there is a significant drop in required storage volumes and the costs associated with that. If you are winter milking the benefits of storage reduction are even greater. Depending on soil risk in the effluent block, an average Waikato dairy farm implementing green water yard washing will reduce storage by about 50%. Their modelled pond dimensions go from 50m x 46m x 4m to 36m x 36m x 4m, and their annual effluent production (including rainwater landing on the pond) goes from nearly 11 million litres to about 5.5 million litres! For those who already have storage but it’s too small, green water yard washing may make the old pond “fit “the farm again. For those with sufficient storage, green water use effectively doubles storage giving easier and more flexible management of effluent. Effluent irrigation on any pasture also becomes more efficient. With increased nutrient concentration of effluent, each litre becomes more valuable. There has been no reduction in the volume of nutrients being captured - just the water that the nutrient is suspended in has been reduced. If you are not convinced that this is a good idea all season because you think it might smell or attract flies (those that have made the change don’t find these an issue), just use green water on the shoulders of the season. This is the time when soils are still often wet and effluent irrigation days few and far between. If you commit to using green water for the first three months of the season and the last six weeks of the season you will still get the full benefit of storage reduction. There is no real reason to not do this. NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
Significant savings are there for the taking by installing a green water flood system for the yard.
Under-gate wash systems need a separate line for getting the green wash to the gate.
There are rules that must be met on how you use green water for washing the yard. Talk to your accredited effluent designer, your milk company or go to DairyNZ’s website for the actual rules. The main rules are: • The green water must be free from sediments and solids • It can only be applied at low pressure to eliminate any aerosols • It can only be applied no higher than 300mm from the yard surface • It must not be used within 5m of any milk harvesting equipment • It cannot be used when cows are on the yard • You need to have the ability to wash the yard with clean water (this may just be from a hand-held hose) Once a farm has storage there is a source of settled effluent ready to be pumped back to the yard for cleaning. For those with flood wash, it’s simply changing the filling of the tanks from clean water to green water (talk to your milk company regarding the proximity of flood wash tanks to the shed). Farms with under-gate washing systems need to organise a separate effluent line to the gate that enables getting the green water into the washing system with no chance of contamination of the shed’s fresh water supply. If you are looking at putting storage onfarm the cost of implementing green water may well be met by the money saved from smaller storage. You’d be mad to not consider this! • Logan Bowler is an independent effluent management expert. He can be contacted directly on 021 225 9415 or email logan. bowler@yahoo.co.nz 21
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The Ecobags tank for storing shed effluent on Abe and Anita de Wolde’s Southland dairy unit can hold 8000 cubic metres of material.
EFFLUENT - IT’S IN THE BAG SOUTHLAND DAIRY FARMER Abe de Wolde installed his first Ecobag Effluent Storage System in New Zealand for the storage of wintering barn slurry last year. “They’re well used and well regarded in Europe but this was a first for New Zealand,” he sAYS. And he’s so impressed he’s installing a second one in mid-January at a new wintering barn he’s building. The 45-metre by 45m bladder, supplied in NZ by Technipharm, is 4.8m deep, and can hold 8000 cubic metres of effluent. It sits in the ground and when full is 75cm above the surface of the land. As the effluent is not exposed to the environment there is no crusting, no odour and it’s completely safe. “You can walk over it, there are no worries about anyone falling in. “The big benefit is there is no volatilisation of nitrogen as methane, as there is no contact with air so the slurry we’re spreading on to the farm from the Ecobag is higher in nutrients. “Our slurry is giving off very little methane and nitrous oxide so it’s good for us and good for nature.” 22
Abe’s Woldwide Dairy Group milks 4200 cows on five dairy farms near Winton. The 2300 hectares produces about 2.5 million kg of milksolids a year from the mainly Friesian cows which have a mix of NZ and Dutch genetics. Abe and his wife Anita moved to NZ from Holland in 1992 after milking 40 cows there on 26ha. They were one of the first farming families to convert sheep farms into dairy in Western Southland. Right from the start they saw the possibilities of bringing European technology and farming systems to Southland. “It’s our goal to combine the best farming systems from around the world to produce food more efficiently,” Abe said. Very soon their first dairy farm had a 625 free-stall wintering barn built on it. Now cows on four of their five farms go in the wintering barns at night in April and May, extending the round so milking can continue through until the end of the season. Then they are in them fulltime in June and July with the cows milked until they are sixty days away from their expected calving. Some of the barns are also used for
calving in August and September. Automatically scrapers travel the length of the barns eight to 10 times a day with no water added but the slurry still contains enough moisture for it to be spread when soil conditions are right. And Technipharm’s Ecobag helps. “As the effluent is completely enclosed it doesn’t dry out but also rain can’t get in so we don’t have more slurry than we need to spread on our paddocks.” A 18kw stirrer keeps the contents from separating. “It goes from about two until three in the morning, well I hope it’s going – no one is awake to hear it.” He said regional council Environment Southland was supportive. “The Ecobag came with very good instructions and specifications so they could see that it met all of the consent requirements.” Effluent is spread mainly on silage paddocks using either a slurry tanker on an umbilical when soil moisture conditions allow which hasn’t been easy these past few months in Southland. “We’ve had the most horrendous Spring, the worst we have known. It’s been very
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
Apply Gypsum now
Southland dairy farmer Abe de Wolde about to check the effluent pump.
The benefits of gypsum in soil treatment are well known, but its value goes well beyond this:
The Ecobag storage tank was supplied by Technipharm.
Helps mitigate flow of nitrates and phosphorus in New Zealand waterways Addresses sodium from applied effluent issues
wet and very cold but there have been a few small windows when we have been able to spread effluent on safely.” And he’s taken the scraping technology from the wintering barns into two of the dairies. Instead of washing the yard, the most hated end-of-milking chore by far, it is scraped automatically. “We wash inside the dairy and the two or three metres into the yard but the rest is scraped. “A dairy cow produces one and a half litres of effluent on average every milking but it can take another 50 litres to wash that away per cow. “That is a lot of clean water that you have to store and pump and then get rid of afterwards. “And why turn clean water into effluent if you don’t have to?” Lowering the environmental impact on all five dairy farms as much as possible has always been the goal for Woldwide Dairy Group and effluent management is a key part of it. With good practices, and the right technology such as the Ecobag, the amount of nutrients entering Southland’s waterways are lessened but also less fertiliser needs to go on to grow the pasture and forage crops to feed Woldwide’s cows. “Because we don’t lose the nitrogen through methane loss with the Ecobag, it means the effluent we’re putting on is high in nutrients which is exactly what we need.” NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
Reduces surface run-off and drainage loss, reduces preferential flow of water run-off in soil Can be applied by a number of different means to target risk zones Assists with addressing high soil potassium levels
For more about Natural Gypsum and soil stabilisation visit gypsum.co.nz
Rates vary per farm and soil type. Applications can last for up to three years and can be used as a base layer in stand-off (loafing)23pads.
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
A 40-YEAR FOCUS ON EFFLUENT WILLIAMS ENGINEERING, BASED IN the Waikato, have been effluent-focused for 40 years, manufacturing products that have not only taken the brand throughout New Zealand, but to many countries around the world. The Spider range of travelling irrigators have been an undisputed machine on thousands of farms, known for their reliability, simplicity and ongoing service to the dairy industry. Williams say they have a travelling irrigator to suit every farm including the GB Magnum with a static rain gun that delivers a wetted area that is more than twice as wide as a standard travelling irrigator. The company’s largest irrigator, the Greenback Spider, provides an even spread pattern with its wide boom design. The Spider Deluxe is a smaller version, suitable for most average-sized farms, followed by a Deluxe Junior, with shorter
arms, designed for smaller farms. With a proven range of products from irrigators to hydrants and filters, William’s has become a complete one-stop-shop for all farm effluent needs. Being Farm Dairy Effluent Design accredited, Williams has designers in-house who work directly with the farm owner to get an effluent plan in place. The whole installation is managed by the company, working with the farmer’s preferred contractors e.g. electrical and earthworks. Williams work closely alongside a pond lining crew and manufacture their own precast panels for bunkers, weeping walls and stone traps, having diggers/trenchers to install mainline systems and hydrants. Williams Engineering has a NZ-wide dealer network, with a 24/7 Waikato-wide service team for all effluent breakdowns, with proven experience and expertise to solve any effluent problem - big or small.
Williams offer a one-story design and installation service.
Pumps and irrigation for every farm set up.
EFFLUENT SPREADING TECHNOLOGY VARIABLE APPLICATION RATES PROOF OF PLACEMENT DYNAMIC WEIGHING VERTICAL BEATER OPTIONS AVAILABLE
NEW TS-SPREADERS IN STOCK CALL NOW FOR HIRE
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CONTACT ONE OF OUR TEAM TODAY STAN KNIGHT 021 884 904 JOHN PIO 027 640 3582 HEADQUARTERS 06 354 2813 ENQUIRIES@STRAUTMANN.CO.NZ STRAUTMANN.CO.NZ
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
SPREADING MUCK WITH PRECISION STRAUTMANN HOPKINS LTD imports a full range of Strautmann Muck Spreaders from the German manufacturer that will suit all the requirements of both farmers and contractors in New Zealand. Previously it focused on the VS and PS ranges, but this year it introduced the TS range to the NZ market at the 2021 National Fieldays at Mystery Creek in June. With almost 60 years of experience and development, the VS and PS muck spreaders are tried and true and offer strong, reliable and accurate spreading of products from lime and fertiliser, separated effluent solids and slurry, to compost and bedding materials. Large volumes can be spread quickly and easily from the various models from 20 cubic metres to 32 cubic metres depending on model chosen and a myriad of options are available to suit your requirements.
The latest models are now available with a patented dynamic weighing and spreading control system that you can programme to spread from your mapping systems and accurately place and provide proof of placement data to meet all new required legislation for spreading of fertiliser and other A Strautmann PS2401 Muck Spreader in action. products on NZ farms. This feature combined with the appropriate ISOBUS monitor system resistance than typical smaller tyres. makes them Precision Agriculture They also feature a towbar with spring compatible. suspension to make for a smoother ride. The new TS range is a more typical Head Office is in Palmerston North, the bathtub model as seen commonly in NZ Strautmann Hopkins Waikato branch is and has a capacity of either 14 cu m or based in Te Aroha and James Whitmore 16 cu m and the option of two vertical and Daryl Brown in the South Island beaters or the universal spreader with two provide full coverage of NZ horizontal spreading discs. More? Visit the Strautmann Hopkins They have a single axle, with largewebsite at www.strautmann.co.nz or to diameter tyres to provide less rolling contact one of the team.
Farm Effluent Equipment Full System Design Installation Service Call the team at Williams for a FREE no obligation quote today!
0800 4 EFFLUENT
www.williamsirrigation.com
NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
TAKING A KIWI SYSTEM TO THE WORLD FORSI INNOVATIONS IS ALREADY well known in New Zealand, but it’s also gaining a reputation for efficient effluent management on a global stage. The company is supplying its effluent technology for a project at the University of Hong Kong which has just set up a new dairy veterinary training facility in the Kowloon province. The facility has a small dairy farm, housing less than 100 stock in a barn using bought-in feed and milking through a single-sided nine-bale herringbone shed. Forsi was approached as one of the new companies in the world that could filter all the effluent from the barn and milking shed to a strictly regulated level for discharge back into the local wastewater system. Forsi’s team will install a bespoke system that can meet the specific needs of the university’s project. To meet Hong Kong’s extremely strict water discharge
regulations requires no uncontrolled releases with all reject liquid waste from the filter elements captured in an absorbent medium Forsi Innovations offers a pre-fabricated system built into a which is eventually used as a modified 40-foot container to separate and filter effluent. slow-release fertiliser on a farm or market garden. The system says the revolutionary technology can be comprises a series of separation processes, adapted to any wastewater situation, not each stage taking out varying-sized just effluent. particulates, getting finer at each step. The “As the focus on New Zealand end process is a reverse osmosis filtration dairy farms returns to better effluent that removes any viruses or pathogens. management, our modular systems can be The system includes an in-built configured for basic separation situations,” sanitation system that ensures no Hawes says. bacterial growth will occur in the “But with added filtration elements, treated liquid after the reverse osmosis can deliver high quality water for flood process, allowing it to be stored and washing holding yards, with the added hold its quality until required. The water benefit of reduced bacterial loading that discharged from the system meets the stops the development of slime, and Hong Kong drinking water standards. improved hoof health.” Forsi Innovations manager Craig Hawes More? Visit www.forsi.co.nz
How do you manage and control your Effluent System? Have you ever wanted to have full control of your effluent pumping equipment locally and remotely, wanted fail safe security in case of burst pipe or no movement at irrigator as well as offering placement data on Google Maps, wanted to have the flexibility to set flow rates, pumped quantity or pumping times?
“Control your effluent system with our integrated automation solution”
How do you manage and control your Milking Plant and Vat Wash System? Have you ever wanted to have your Milking Plant and Vat Wash System fully automated and free up valuable time to do the things that matter?
“Control your Plant and Vat Wash system with our integrated automation solution” Call Laser Electrical • A Laser Electrical Representative will call around to discuss your application. • A tailored control solution can be created • Preliminary costings can be provided. • Ascertain loading requirements for new installations and offer solutions around this. (07) 883 7677 • 26
www.laserelectricalputaruru.co.nz NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
E F F L U E N T M A N AG E M E N T S O L U T I O N S 2 0 2 1
NATIVES MAY OFFER SOLUTION NEW ZEALAND’S NATIVE PLANTS may help reduce bacterial contamination caused by dairy effluent, a new study suggests. Researchers from the BioProtection Research Centre, ESR, and the University of Canterbury, have shown northern rātā and swamp mānuka can reduce the amount of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in soil by 90%, compared with ryegrass, and in less than one-third of the time. They worked in partnership with Ngaa Muka Development Trust and Matahuru Marae in Waikato. The research, published in Applied Soil Ecology, aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of NZ native plant extracts and test if they were effective in soil. First they tested leaf extracts of 12 plants, chosen because they were either medicinal plants, poisonous, or had a strong scent. These included harakeke (Phormium tenax), golden ake ake (Olearia paniculata), mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium),
kawakawa (Piper excelsum), koromiko (Veronica stricta), ngaio (Myporum laetum), golden Spaniard (Aciphylla aurea), Spaniard (Aciphylla sublabellata), and horopito (Pseudowintera colorata), as well as swamp mānuka and northern rātā. Swamp mānuka, northern rātā, and horopito showed antimicrobial properties, and so they were tested to see if they reduced bacterial contamination in soil. The scientists grew seedlings in pots, and, once the seedlings were large enough, added equal amounts of dairy shed effluent to each pot. They watered the pots to simulate rainfall, and then tested for E. coli on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Results indicated the amount of E. coli in the soil would reduce by 90% by day 14 in the pots containing swamp mānuka and northern rātā. Extrapolation from L. perenne data indicated that this reduction would happen by day 45. The roots of swamp mānuka and northern rātā both increase soil acidity, which researchers suggest may
have caused the faster E. coli die-off. “E. coli tends to do better in soil that is alkaline to neutral pH,” says Dr Hossein Alizadeh, of the Bio-Protection Research Centre. “The roots of swamp mānuka and northern rātā change soil to make it more acidic, so that may be why E.coli dies off more quickly.” However, the researchers did sound a note of caution. When soil was already saturated, irrigating it with dairy shed effluent resulted in E. coli leaching out of the soil very quickly before any plants could dilute or destroy it This suggested that “high irrigation regimes” could result in more environmental contamination. The authors say their results show the need for further field research. The Bio-Protection Research Centre is a Centre of Research Excellence was established in 2003 to drive innovation in sustainable approaches to pest, pathogen and weed control.
WATER
How we work with you Effluent and Irrigation Design™ looks at all aspects of your farm including topography, nutrient budgeting, and preferred management to recommend the best solution for you. We understand the concerns relating to how much work managing an effluent system can be. With years of experience, technical training, contact with farmers and understanding of industry requirements our consultants have a wealth of knowledge to call upon. Because Effluent and Irrigation Design™ is made up of independent consultants, we have the ability to provide different system designs. We work with all manufacturers of effluent disposal solutions available in the New Zealand market. Multiple outcomes are often reached allowing farmers to make choices that best suit their farming needs. Rather than simply being sold a specific product, our process allows farmers to become educated buyers of designs precisely suited for their farm.
● Iron, Manganese, Arsenic, Turbidity Removal ● ● Car wash recycling systems ● Irrigation Filtration ● Solids Separation ● Waste water recycling ● ● pH Correction
Let’s talk... 0800 856 544 www.effluentandirrigation.co.nz
Forsi Innovations Ltd | 14 Waihou Street | Matamata | Ph 07 880 9479 | Fax 07 880 9486 | www.forsi.co.nz NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
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BALANCE IS KEY TO EFFICIENCY THE KEY TO FARM EFFICIENCY IS a balanced system, says biological consultant David Law from Forward Farming Consultancy. “Every part of the farming system plays an important role for the whole farming enterprise to function correctly, economically and sustainably”. With an extensive knowledge of effluent problems and solutions, Law has developed a concept called the BioCircle, which shows the important interaction of all activities on the farm – showing not only the success which can be achieved, but also the damage which can occur if any particular area of the BioCircle is not performing at its best. It is interesting to note the effluent pond, which is generally used as a dumping ground, will show the biggest visual picture of what the whole BioCircle is doing, he says.
Effluent problems and treatments: 1. If an effluent pond has significant crust on the surface it signifies that the wrong biology (anaerobic bacteria) are present and change is needed. Forward Farming’s solution is the introduction of slurry bugs (aerobic bacteria). These need different conditions to flourish and multiply – a simple management change is required to achieve this. 2. If an effluent pond is relatively clear, but has a green colouration in the pond, this signals good biological activity but the chemicals used in dairy shed cleaning are killing the good biology. A change in chemicals will fix this. 3. A full farm management system starting from the soil and creating the conditions for good aerobic biology will result in a clean crust-free pond. This management system has been
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Pond crust is caused by pathogenic bacteria in the effluent that separate the effluent fibres and send them to the surface. How do you counter these bad bugs? With good bugs. That’s what Slurry Bugs are – helpful bacteria that eat the pond crust. Literally. Not only do Slurry Bugs remove the crust, they transform the effluent nutrients into organic forms that are easily used by plants. In other words, they liquefy your pond and turn it into an effective, spreadable fertiliser.
Using Chlorine will kill these good bugs! We have the solution! DX50 is an eco-friendly chlorine-free sanitiser that kills pathogens 2.46x better than chlorine but leaves the good Slurry Bugs alone. A chlorine-free Alkali and Acid complete the cleaning system. Our environmental initiative to reduce
Total water pollution is by implementing an Replacement 8-step method leading farmers from a Therapy
chemical fertiliser system using synthetic nitrogen applications, to a quick and profitable clover-based biological system that enhances feed quality, animal health and effluent.
NEED TO KNOW MORE? Go to www.forwardfarming.co.nz and www.totalreplacementtherapy.com to read more or call David Law on 027 490 9896.
NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
Chlorine damage to an effluent pond.
developed and is an eight-step concept known as Total Replacement Therapy. This is totally changing a chemical system to a biological one. This approach can be viewed in detail at totalreplacementtherapy.com. • A more detailed explanation of the BioCircle and how it relates to effluent can be found at forwardfarming.co.nz.
PPP’S SEPARATORS NEVER FAIL PPP INDUSTRIES LTD INSTALLED THE FIRST PRESSscrew separator at a New Zealand dairy farm in Northland in 2001. This was quickly followed by another unit in Manawatu. Since 2001 PPP has installed systems in most provinces of NZ, but the range of customers is now expanded to include piggeries, truck wash stations and meat works. The design and installation are an important part of all its projects but the quality of the separators ensures PPP has never experienced a failure. PPP offers three models catering in size from flow rates of 5-10m3 per hour up to large projects of 80m3 per hour. The separators can deal with heavy flows of solids such as paunch material through to diluted waste such as in the dairy industry. Since the company’s involvement in business waste streams other opportunities have developed such as composting. Its supplier of separators also manufactures “in-vessel composters” so smells can all be contained. These systems have minimal power and labour demand so are very efficient. These composters are part of the success that enable our systems to turn protein waste, such as dead birds from the poultry industry into a biological fertiliser in 24-30 hours. PPP Industries Ltd was established in 1962. Since the inception of the business the company has been a leader within the poultry industry, dairy feeding systems, sheep dipping equipment and now has laid out plans to revolutionise the composting industry. 29
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TRIED AND TRUSTED PUMPING THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE more they stay the same. Reid & Harrison have noticed with the evolving nature of effluent systems and the raft of different suppliers and products on the scene, people have tried differing solutions for pumping raw effluent from sumps. When all else fails farmers keep coming back to the tried and trusted Yardmaster© Extender Effluent pump. The standard Yardmaster© pump is well known for its ability to handle solids reliably without clogging. The Extender version allows for differing lengths up to three metres and still providing that same trouble-free delivery. With easy fixing to a side of a sump with a bracket, or installed in a fixed frame across the sump, access and health and safety concerns are addressed. There is no need for a floating frame
with the cost and the issues that accompany these. As the bottom end sits in the liquid, there is no need for priming. Extender pumps can be supplied as low or highspeed versions depending on if you are after flow or pressure. Also, variations on impellers and housing sizes provide customization to system Yardmaster pumps are renowned for their reliability and capacity needs. to handle solids without clogging. Add this to a full nationwide Yardmaster© dealer network, the extender pump lasting for many years any service needs are well taken care As Yardmaster© designs and builds the of. Unlike submersible pumps where it pumps in New Zealand, you are assured of is not financially viable to replace key the factory support and knowledge needed components, regular maintenance of an to have your system working reliably for extender pump is not only possible, but it you. also makes economic sense and results in More? Visit www.yardmaster.co.nz
VERSATILITY WITH FOLIAR SPRAY NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF year, the Tow and Fert range of liquid foliar spray machines offers farmers versatility and usability in their nutrient management programme. Tow and Fert will dissolve solid urea in its tank and keep ultra-fine particle fertilisers suspended in liquid. The machines can also apply weed spray or small seeds needed for strong pasture production. Tow and Fert is a versatile machine with a quick return on investment. With nitrogen (N) prices rising steadily and world supply looking short, the Tow and Fert machines enable farmers to significantly reduce their N use, saving them money but maintaining pasture production. The additional benefit in applying fertiliser this way is that leaching is greatly reduced due to the fertiliser product being applied to the leaf of the plant rather than to the soil. Tow and Fert users are also growing more 30
One of Metalform’s Tow and Fert rigs in action.
grass through the application of ‘slurries’, specific mixes or brews of fertiliser products designed to give their pasture what it needs to grow when it needs it. Spraying fertiliser on pasture with a Tow
and Fert will help you meet your nutrient budget by greatly reducing the amount of fertiliser lost into the soil or air, reducing the amount required and saving money. More? Visit www.metalform.co.nz.
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
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NZ Dairy Exporter | Effluent Management Solutions | November 2021
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Powerful, efficient pond stirring for maximum value.
Once the PondStir is assembled, concrete is poured into the counterweights and left to set for 24 hours.
With the concrete set the PondStir can now be connected to an existing mains power source and stirring can begin.
Installed in under 4 hours - no builders needed*. Shrouded propeller creates an energy efficient jet-stream saving power and increasing thrust.
PondStir pivoting counterweight. A powerful yet energy efficient TBM motor available in 4kw and 7.5kw options
2.3 cubic meters of concrete in the foundations and counterweight allow for quick and easy setup.
Available in 8m and 10m lengths State-of-the-art propeller and motor for increased pressure and efficiency
A 180 degree swiveling boom means the propeller and system can be swung out of the pond for easy servicing and movement within the pond * Concrete is required to be delivered to site for pouring into premade counterweight boxing.
Effluent management has never been so easy. Call 0508 747 040 or visit www.pondstir.co.nz Another quality product from the makers of Tow and Fert 32
NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2021
