ANIMAL SLURRY! DISPOSABLE WASTE OR FARM RESOURCE?
When considering a system for storing and handling animal slurry, there are important issues to be addressed before concluding which is the most effective and economical solution, be it for an alteration or extension to an existing farm buildings layout or a new green field site project.
- The Code of Good Agricultural Practice.
- Public Health and proximity to Urban Areas.
- Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and potential area extensions.
- Local, National and EEC Legislation and Regulation.
In its raw state, the characteristics of animal slurry make it difficult to manage, both in the farmyard and in the field.
- The formation of crusts and sludges in storage tanks and lagoons.
- The cost of time, fuel, labour and inherent dangers in mixing slurry prior to spreading.
- Slurry contamination to grazing and cutting grassland reducing productivity potential.
- Machinery damage to land through spreading in wet conditions.
- Pollution risk to waterways through “run-off”, with potential prosecution and £ 20,000. fine.
Awarded the Silver Medal and Leyland Cup at the R.U.A.S. Balmoral Show 2003 “ Technical Innovation Competition “, The Carier Rotascreen Slurry Separator System brings environmental control and economic utilisation to the management of the farm business, resolving the listed problems associated with whole animal slurry. The principle is simple, practical and effective. By pumping the animal slurry between a set of compression rollers and a rotating perforated cylinder drum screen ( grandmother’s clothes mangle principle ), the rotascreen unit separates the whole slurry into two constituent fractions, a separated liquid and a solids fibre material, providing more flexible management control and better utilisation of a farm natural resource.
- Representing 75 – 85 % of the volume total, separated liquid can be applied to grazing and cutting grassland as well as cereals and other arable crops throughout the growing season.
- Nutrient content of the separated liquid is fully utilised by the uptake of the crop at the various stages of growth.
- Livestock will graze herbage within days of application due to the rapid penetration of the separated liquid into the soil surface, giving a quicker crop growth response.
- Representing 15 – 25 % of the volume total, the solids fibre can be stacked outside, proving extra liquid storage in the existing tank or lagoon.
- Removal of the solids fibre eliminates the problems of crusting and sludge build up in tanks and lagoons along with the associated mixing costs.
- With a high worm population, the solids fibre is an excellent soil conditioner, improving fertility on a year by year basis.
As an added value product, the solids fibre can be composted for garden, sportsturf, landscape, and amenity park applications.
The Carier Rotascreen Slurry Separator System enables a new approach and concept of management to be implemented. The important transition from spreading farm slurry in the winter months, with its listed limitations and higher pollution risk, to a system that brings more flexibility, environmental control and better economic utilisation of a natural farm resource in the form of separated liquid and solids fibre as fertilisers, represent a major change in policy and purpose. The capability to spread with appropriate timing and rate of application for a particular crop throughout the growing season when land and weather conditions are more favourable, make a strong case for this sound and sustainable system.
There are over 500 Carier Rotascreen Slurry Separator Systems on farms throughout Great Britain and Europe which illustrates the fact that the manufacturer, Carier Pollution Control Ltd based at Braintree in Essex , are the market leaders in effluent and slurry treatment technology. Proven reliability due to sound engineering and quality of manufacture are the hallmarks of this successful company and their systems.
The agricultural industry is experiencing constant economic pressure and competition, throughout the food chain, and as the primary producer with a farm business, any system that reduces input costs through improved management and use of a major farm resource, merits serious consideration and appraisal. While the Carier Rotascreen Slurry Separator System may not suit the layout on some farms, there are certainly many farms with substantial livestock enterprises who could take advantage of this tried and tested technology. It could also be considered by a group of farmers sharing a mobile unit or a larger centralised project.
As more legislation and control over the storage and handling of farm slurry is introduced by other countries including the EEC, it is evident that in time, spreading of farm slurry, particularily in the winter months, will be restricted or possibly completely banned. In anticipation of such action, the present maybe an appropriate time to decide on your own plan of action for the future.
For more information on Carier Systems, please contact us for assistance.