Located in Taranaki, Josh Corrigan runs a 140-hectare farm with 360 cows on grass, silage, and hay. With an irrigation system in place for 55 hectares, Josh found they were missing out on utilising 120 hectares of the farm without an effluent management system that could reach further. In addition to contract jobs, he needed a solution that could add efficiency and reach to the workload.
One of the solutions Josh initially looked at was a slurry tanker. The rising prices of fertiliser was a factor in his decision making, as well as the need to bring valuable nutrients of nitrogen and potassium to the paddocks for soil conditioning. He needed a solution that was drought resistant and could provide a facility for transporting organic matter with enough retention for the winter periods.
When comparing other effluent management systems, Josh looked for higher quality products which led him to choose Nevada 16,000L Tandem Axle Slurry Tanker and TurboStir™ 6000 PTO Pond Stirrer. “Obviously the 8-inch fill was a big draw card,” Josh said. The one steering axle with large dual wheels gives the slurry tanker balanced weight across all four wheels, enabling it to reach further paddocks without concern. With the need to reduce carting time and have enough space for bigger contract jobs, Josh wanted a long-term solution for the workload. “If we are going to contract out, we have to be efficient,” Josh noted, “we have to make sure we are fast and as efficient as possible.”
Josh decided to pair the slurry tanker with a PTO pond stirrer for the flexibility to take it to contract jobs as well as the higher quality materials that make a Nevada pond stirrer last. “You can save yourself a few dollars at the start and buy something cheaper or maybe not the top model, but you will come to regret it in the long run when it takes you twice as long to do it,” Josh remarked.
The added benefits of utilising Nevada equipment as a solution was the ability to have liquid and fertiliser application more frequently. Previously, it would have been a task only done twice a year, but now the farm is able to add moisture and fertiliser to each paddock more often to create higher quality yields and dark green paddocks. “You either pay for it outright or you end up utilising what you already have,” Josh said.
Despite manufacturing delays at the time of receiving the slurry tanker, Nevada delivered prompt service and kept Josh in the loop on the process. Once the equipment arrived it was a quick set up and Nevada continued to be available for any questions Josh had.
“There is work involved with a tanker,” Josh said, “you’ve got to get in there and do it.” With a slurry tanker and PTO pond stirrer, Josh can utilise more of the 140 hectares of farmland and spread effluent more efficiently for better yields and additional contract jobs. “The 16,000 litre was a far better option we haven’t come to regret.”
