• Sustainable Effluent Management
Contact Us

How Does Soil Type Affect Effluent Application Depth and Area?

Not all soils are created equal when it comes to spreading effluent. Some soak it up like a sponge, others let it run straight off. Understanding your soil type can make a big difference to how much, how often and where you apply effluent. Read on to make sure you’re not wasting nutrients or risking runoff.
Read This Article

There are three key factors that affect effluent application depth. Those factors are:

  • Contours of your farm’s landscape.
  • Climate, including rainfall and soil moisture.
  • Type of soil and it’s drainage characteristics.

Lets take a look at the importance of number three – the type of soil on your farm and how this impacts your effluent management.

Soil texture helps determine drainage

Soil is made up of granules of different products. The smaller the granules, the more likely they are to clump together and hold moisture. Coarser-textured soils – such as those with a high gravel or sand content – drain better.

The higher the capacity for a soil to hold water, the deeper it needs to be irrigated in order for the water to penetrate. Water Holding Capacity is expressed as a depth, and it can vary from 45-55mm/m in a sandy soil to 175-200mm/m for a hard clay soil.

drone shot of NZ dairy farm with rich soil which helps effluent application depth
How Does Soil Type Affect Effluent Application Depth and Area? 2

Soil drainage is also affected by landscape

Of course, the type of landscape also impacts the soil drainage. For example. Sloping ground will cause increased surface runoff, decreasing the amount of effluent that’s able to penetrate to soil.

Classifying your soil and assigning risk profiles

Across your farm, there will be different risk areas, depending on the different features. Dairy NZ suggests mapping your property into risk zones to help you identify the best areas for application and help you manage the effluent application process.

There are five risk-classes (A-E) with specific requirements for each. Each risk class has special effluent application considerations. For example, on risk-class B, “Impeded drainage (including imperfectly drained) or low infiltration rate”, you should only apply effluent when a soil water deficit exists. Even then, you should only apply to a maximum depth of 25mm, and only to the level of the soil water deficit.

Many of the soils in New Zealand have been mapped in detail, and you may be able to discover the soil characteristics of your farm using the Landcare NZ research.

Talk to the team at Nevada. We’re New Zealand’s effluent equipment specialists, and we can help you map your soil risk areas and figure out an effective effluent management plan.

More Blogs

How to Avoid a Slurry Tank Implosion
A tank implosion can cause serious damage and downtime. This blog shares practical checks and explains why anti-implosion rings are essential to prevent an imploded tank, helping farmers protect their equipment and avoid costly downtime.
Daniel filling up his Nevada Tandem Slurry Tanker with the 8in auto fill arm
5 Advantages of Farm Tankers for NZ Dairy Farmers
Farm tankers are changing how New Zealand farmers manage effluent. Designed for efficiency, versatility, and compliance, these systems save time and reduce labour. Whether you need reliable farm tankers for heavier loads or a flexible option for daily use, this guide explores five key advantages that make tankers the best choice for smart dairy farming.
Nevada 3PL RainWave in action
Slurry Tanker or Umbilical Slurry Equipment?
Deciding between a slurry tanker and umbilical slurry equipment is a key step in effective effluent management. Both offer unique benefits, including flexibility and low labour costs, as well as high-volume spreading speed. This guide explores application options, costs, soil impact, and real farmer experiences to help you choose the system that best fits your farm

Subscribe to our Newsletter