Slurry Tanker or Irrigator? Glenn’s Tried Both!

Located in the Taupo region, Glenn and Karen operated two adjacent farms with 1,000 cows on each. Both farms operated similarly. They each had their own cow shed and pond storage. They used the same feed, fertiliser, and had the same pasture etc. The only difference was the effluent irrigation system. Where one farm pumped the effluent underground and out through irrigators, the other used a slurry tanker.

One night while analysing the books, Karen pointed out a significant difference between the amount of fertiliser being used on each farm as well as production. The numbers don’t lie. The farm operating a slurry tanker used far less fertiliser while producing more. The slurry tanker was able to spread the effluent nutrients further, and to the areas that most needed it, enabling them to make more effective use of the nutrients on hand.

‘We didn’t sit down and do a full-on analysis to be able to tell you all the numbers, but what we saw was enough to decide it would be worthwhile investing in a bigger tanker for use over both farms!’
Glenn Speed – Dairy Farmer, Taupo

So the decision was made to upgrade the old slurry tanker to a new Nevada 20,000L tridem axle with duo RainWave™ applicators, and they haven’t looked back…