Water & Slurry Management Guide 2020

SLURRY TREATMENT Save up to 1/3 on fertiliser bills

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SLURRY TREATMENT How much slurry is produced by a dairy cow per day?

Answer = 17 gallons/ 77L /day 90 cows produce = ......................... / day 200 days produce = .........................

This farm requires = ......................... pots for 200 days / winter 120 cows produce = ........................ / day 200 days produce = ........................

This farm requires = ........................ pots for 200 days / winter 150 cows produce = ........................ / day 200 days produce = ........................

This farm requires = ........................ pots for 200 days / winter 180 cows produce = ........................ / day 200 days produce = ........................

This farm requires = ........................ pots for 200 days / winter

Note: Very important to ensure the correct quantity of slurry has been calculated , and adequate Slurry Treatment has been added. Slurry Treatment needs to be added weekly to maximise the increase in performance from your slurry. Research shows treating every 7 - 14 days is the most successful management system to maintain the Slurry Treatment bacteria numbers.

Where should we treat?

Slatted Shed: Step 1 – 3 Step 1: Work out the quantity of slurry in the slatted shed.

Imperial:- Multiply the length by breadth by depth in feet and multiply by 6.25 to give the amount in gallons. To calculate the number of pots required, a 1kg pot of Slurry Treatment treats 100,000 gallons.

Metric:- Multiply the length by breadth by depth in metres to give total cubic metres of slurry. A 1kg pot of Slurry Treatment treats 450 cubic metres.

Step 2: Once the amount of slurry is known then treat in the four corners of the slatted shed. We recommend a double dose to start.

If the slats are ½ - ¾ full then it will require a good stir before adding Slurry Treatment. A small amount of GENTLE agitation as the Slurry Treatment is added to the lagoon can be a benefit but only for 1 – 5 minutes. The reason for this is that the bacteria can become damaged upon prolonged agitation. Add Slurry Treatment under any crust present, gentle agitation will break up the crust which is very beneficial.

Step 3: Weekly applications should be then made in different areas of the slatted shed , again making sure adequate Slurry Treatment is added for maximum performance.

Note: Slurry Treatment will reduce the crusting and create a homogenised and easy to handle slurry. It will increase the dry matter by about 3 – 5% and it will still be easy to pump.

With the increase in dry matter the quality of the nutrients also improve . This can allow reduction in application of fertiliser over 2 - 3 years by as much as 2/3rds. We then start to create healthier soils with increased microbial activity. Slurry Treatment also helps to create a slurry which is alkaline and we find less need to apply lime to the fields.

Where should we treat?

Channels leading to a tower: Step 1 – 4 Step 1: Work out the quantity of slurry in the channels and tower, metric or imperial as desired.

Step 2: Once the amount of slurry is known, then treat in the tower to start (providing there is slurry present!). We recommend a double dose to start. If the tower is ½ - ¾ full then it will require a good stir before adding Slurry Treatment. A small amount of GENTLE agitation as the Slurry Treatment is added to the tower can be a benefit but only for 1 – 5 minutes. The reason for this is that the bacteria can become damaged upon prolonged agitation. Add Slurry Treatment under any crust present. The stirring should assist in breaking up the crust.

Step 3: Weekly applications should then be added to the channel, again making sure adequate Slurry Treatment is added for maximum performance. If you can avoid applying them near to drains that contain chemicals that will be beneficial to the bacteria.

Step 4: The bacteria can become damaged if aggressive mechanical operations take place, e.g. pumping a long distance.

It seems in most cases, that from a channel into a tower that is close we have no problems.

Note: Slurry Treatment will reduce the crusting and create a homogenised and easy to handle slurry. It will increase the dry matter by about 3 – 5% and it will still be easy to pump.

With the increase in dry matter the quality of the nutrients also improve . This enables us to reduce fertiliser applications in some cases as much as 2/3rds. We then start to create healthier soils with increased microbial activity. Slurry Treatment also helps to create a slurry which is alkaline and we find less need to apply lime to the fields.

Where should we treat?

Lagoon: Step 1 – 3 Step 1: Work out the quantity of slurry in the lagoon.

Metric or imperial as desired.

Step 2: Once amount of slurry is known then treat in the four corners of the lagoon. We recommend a double dose to start. If the lagoon is ½ - ¾ full then it will require a good stir before adding Slurry Treatment. A small amount of GENTLE agitation as the Slurry Treatment is added to the lagoon can be a benefit but only for 1 – 5 minutes. The reason for this is that the bacteria can become damaged upon prolonged agitation. Add Slurry Treatment under any crust present.

Step 3: Weekly applications should be then made where the slurry enters the lagoon , again making sure adequate Slurry Treatment is added for maximum performance, and gentle stirring is always an advantage to the aerobic bacteria.

Note: Slurry Treatment will reduce the crusting and create a homogenised and easy to handle slurry. It will increase the dry matter by about 3 – 5% and it will still be easy to pump. With the increase in dry matter the quality of the nutrients also improve .

This enables us to reduce fertiliser applications in some cases as much as 2/3rds.

We then start to create healthier soils with increased microbial activity. Slurry Treatment also helps to create a slurry which is alkaline and we find less need to apply lime to the fields.

Benefits of using Slurry Treatment: 1.

Homogenised slurry (easy for handling).

2.

Reduced crusting (easy to mix, less fuel).

3.

Increases nutrients (through the dry matter improving).

N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, S, Zn, Cu.

4.

An alkaline pH (so less need to apply lime).

5.

A reduction in greenhouse gasses.

6.

Improves microbial activity and carbon levels in the soil.

7.

Slurry not managed well will become septic and anaerobic bacteria dominating the lagoon. Slurry management using Slurry Treatment makes sure the slurry “composts� (aerobic bacteria activity) making it an ideal organic nutrient.

8.

You can reduce your bought in fertiliser.

9.

Cattle will graze after splash plate spreading much quicker due to better utilisation by the plants. The higher sodium content of treated slurry along with better mineral balance means the grass is sweeter and more palatable.

10. Increases organic nutrients within the slurry.

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TREAT YOUR SLURRY

RETAIN NUTRIENTS

SPREAD ORGANIC N

BETTER QUALITY GRASS

www.wynnstay.co.uk