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A BALANCED SYSTEM IS KEY TO EFFICIENCY EXPERIENCED BIOLOGICAL consultant David Law says he can tell a lot about a dairy farm from the depth of crust on top of the effluent pond. “It is now clear to me that every part of the farming system plays an important role for the whole farming enterprise to function correctly, economically and sustainably – yet few farmers and qualified experts have connected all the dots,” he says. He has developed a concept he calls the BioCircle, which shows the important interaction of all activities on the farm. This includes 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 to its best. He says a dairy farm effluent pond, which is generally used as a dumping
ground, will show the biggest visual picture of what the whole BioCircle is doing. Consultant David Law says crust depth on a pond says a lot Many people think the about the balance of the entire dairy farm. problems associated with effluent start in the effluent pond, which leads to farmers investing and legumes, will also feed the microbes supporting a whole industry of machines which then move through the system to process it. to beneficially affect the feed grown and In fact, the effluent pond and its the correct balanced rumen in the cow, associated problems is the result of all the creating the best conditions to digest the activities which come before the pond. feed eaten. These include chemicals used in the The more feed digested by these quality cowshed; cow health and her ability conditions created by a perfectly balanced to digest feed efficiently; feed quality soil, means not only higher production, including fullness of nutrition with trace but also a resulting effluent pond naturally elements; soil quality including the level free of crust. of nutrients and pH; and trace minerals to “After all, a crust on an effluent pond grow quality feed for the cow. is merely undigested feed. A crusted pond A good balanced soil, which allows signals an inefficient farming system,” balanced nutrients to feed grass and he says.
Measure your FDE nutrients
Now more than ever it is important that you get your systems right to ensure that your farm meets the high standards that define our primary sector. Have all of your farm dairy effluent testing needs met by a New Zealand owned laboratory with methods developed specifically for our unique conditions.
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NZ Dairy Exporter | EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS | November 2020
