How to Best Manage Effluent from Feed Pads and Dairy Sheds

Managing effluent from your feed pad or dairy shed doesn’t have to be complicated. If you want a system that’s better for your people, the planet, and your profit, the key is treating effluent as one product -from collection right through to irrigation. Here’s how to make it work.

The purpose of any solids management system is to collect the effluent and apply it to land in a way that is friendly to the three ‘P’s:

People – Less exposure to effluent; less labour required; easy un-complicated
Planet – Retains nutrients for plant growth; less processing (lower carbon footprint)
Profit – High nutrient value for better crop growth; lower capital cost; lower operating cost

The best way to achieve a high ‘3 P’s’ score is to manage effluent as one product:

Effluent Collection & Storage

If your feed pad or yard has the correct slope, then floodwashing with recycled effluent is best practice. Greenwater for floodwash can be decanted off the effluent pond – no separation required. Using a floating suction pipe and allowing the pond to settle the water decanted is perfect for floodwashing.

The secret to effective floodwashing is fast dumping to create a wall of water that collects the solids and carries them straight of the feed pad to the pond. A stone trap is advisable wherever stones are present but is not essential.

New Zealand Dairy Farm Feed Pad and Nevada Tandem Slurry Tanker in distance — How to Best Manage Effluent from Feed Pads and Dairy Sheds 4

Nevada Electric stirrer, swirling an effluent pond from above — How to Best Manage Effluent from Feed Pads and Dairy Sheds 5

Stirring Effluent Storage

Effective pond stirring is key to the success of the system. The stirrer must be shore-mounted and create a strong horizontal thrust across the pond, bringing the solids into suspension.

Nevada Electric stirrers are ideal as they have the powerful Typhoon™ propeller which is capable of mixing large ponds. The angle and depth adjustment help ensure the whole pond is thoroughly mixed prior to pumping. If electricity is not available, a tractor powered stirrer can be used. Nevada have a range of stirrers and extensions for every situation.

Pumping & Irrigation

The homogenous mixture can be pumped successfully with a solids-handling progressive cavity or centrifugal pump. These can be electric, tractor driven, or diesel powered.

Irrigation of whole effluent can be through the Nevada Rainwave™ drag hose system, traditional travelling irrigators or stationary rain guns.

Slurry tankers are another excellent method of applying effluent to land. No effluent passes through a pump, and effluent can be applied to the whole farm. This makes best use of nutrients for maximum profit.

Nevada Drag Hose System — How to Best Manage Effluent from Feed Pads and Dairy Sheds 6

Managing effluent as one product straight from the feed pad will achieve the highest 3 ‘P’s score when compared to solids separation systems. Whether it is a new installation or upgrading an existing system give the Nevada guys a call for free advice. 0800 464 393

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