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A cow’s trash is a farmer’s treasure. Far from a waste product, dairy effluent is a valuable resource which, when cleverly managed, can seriously reduce fertiliser costs, while simultaneously increasing pasture production.
A normal dairy cow produces $25 worth of nutrients per annum, meaning a herd of 400 could take $10,000 off your annual fertiliser bill if the effluent is properly managed.
A good effluent management system starts at the source. It is vital that you ensure your agri-shelter – whether a feed pad, a stand off pad, a wintering/loafing shelter or a free stall shelter – is equipped to properly manage the waste that it will inevitably be presented with. And at SmartShelter we have 100 years of experience in doing just that, offering effluent management systems, strategies and advice that will ensure you don’t waste the waste, and instead capitalise on it.
A good effluent system will consider the following factors:
Working with you to manage dairy effluent
There are a number of effluent management strategies employed by New Zealand dairy farmers today. You will need to take a large number of factors into account if you are to create an effective management plan, so two plans rarely look the same. One of the simplest and most effective effluent management options is a SmartShelters composting barn. In a composting barn, an aerobic system of ‘good bugs’ composts the effluent, keeping the bedding dry and your herd healthy. And once the bedding is taken out, it can be used as a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
All good effluent management systems will have the same goal – to maximise the redistribution of effluent nutrients on pasture, while minimising any adverse environmental effects.
By providing animals with clean, dry bedding, composting barns help to improve herd health, and open up the possibility and enhance the productivity of winter milking. A SmartShelters composting barn can be used for:
Composting barns aside, Dairy NZ has a wealth of materials that go into further detail on the different dairy effluent solutions available, and how to develop a management plan that will suit your specific set of circumstances, so it’s wise to check out their library of resources for more information.
Depending on your effluent management process, your effluent may come out as a solid, sludge or liquid, and the strategies you use to apply the effluent to your pasture will depend on the state that the matter is in. Liquid effluent may be able to be applied with an irrigation system, while solid effluent may need specialist machinery to be effectively spread. Hiring an effluent contractor is a common practice amongst New Zealand dairy farmers.
The most common risk for dairy farmers is spreading too much effluent. This occurrence can negatively affect your property for the long term, by killing pasture, polluting waterways and groundwater, and wasting a valuable resource. Using a calculator such as the one listed above will help to ensure your pastures don’t get too much of a good thing.
Other risks relating to effluent application include:
Boasting a team backed by 100 years of experience, and working with the finest materials available, at SmartShelters we’re able to rapidly design and construct agri-shelters with effluent management in mind, and can provide advice on the best effluent strategy for your situation, enabling you to work smarter, sooner.
Contact a member of our experienced team today to discuss a truly smart shelter solution for your property.
Protect what matters with New Zealand-made shelters built on 100 years of trusted expertise. Contact us today!
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