Forward Farming

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 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.

Chlorine damage to an effluent pond.

NZ DISTRIBUTOR

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.

Total Replacement Therapy

Our environmental initiative to reduce water pollution is by implementing an 8-step method leading farmers from a 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.

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.

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 needs.

Add this to a full nationwide Yardmaster© dealer network, any service needs are well taken care of. Unlike submersible pumps where it is not financially viable to replace key components, regular maintenance of an extender pump is not only possible, but it also makes economic sense and results in the extender pump lasting for many years As Yardmaster© designs and builds the pumps in New Zealand, you are assured of the factory support and knowledge needed to have your system working reliably for you.

More? Visit www.yardmaster.co.nz

Yardmaster pumps are renowned for their reliability and capacity to handle solids without clogging.

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 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.

One of Metalform’s Tow and Fert rigs in action.