SLURRY SEPARATORS FOR SOUTH KOREA
In February 2006, a Carier Rotascreen Slurry Separator System was installed by Linton Ag-Industrial for the Isidore Development Association, a farmer co-operative on one of their 1000 cow dairy units on Jeju Island off the southern peninsula of South Korea. Geographically, a third the size of Ireland, Jeju is similar in that tourism and agriculture are the two most important and expanding sectors of the economy. However, enjoying a round of golf or other holiday pursuits while local farmers perform their necessary field work including slurry spreading, was an environmental conflict and concern requiring a solution.
With considerable odour reduction, and other apparent environmental and economic benefits resulting from the successful operation of the Carier Separator System over the last 12 months, further business has been secured. This week, two more Carier Rotascreen Slurry Separator Systems will be going to the Isidore Development Association, along with the installation team, who will also provide operational training for those involved. Keeping in contact and working in partnership with our South Korean client along with a visit to Jeju last November by our projects director, Nigel Johnston to finalise specification and location details, are all important aspects of our company support and commitment, stated Trevor Linton. To date, we have secured £ 120,000 of export business in South Korea with the indication that further business opportunity will bring more reward which is good for our company as a manufacturer, good for our local suppliers and good for our local economy.
Although Jeju Island is a “ tourist paradise “ with a tropical climate and scenic landscape, it’s volcanic history has provided few natural resources for the economy. The importation of fertiliser represents a major annual cost for the farmer co-operative but as has been shown over the last year, substituting and applying nutrient rich separated liquid to both grazing and cutting grassland throughout the growing season, has resulted in considerable input savings. Likewise, the separated fibre as a humus conditioner is improving the nutrient fertility of the thin volcanic soil structure found on most of the island. The intention now is also to manufacture the separated fibre into compost as an added value product for horticultural requirement and use on the greens of the numerous golf courses.
With the emphasis on a high density agriculture of dairying and pig production on the island, the requirement for a proven and sustainable nutrient management system have illustrated the fact that environmental and economic considerations can be compatible, and not be in conflict with other sectors of the economy. This positive approach and prosperity for both agriculture and tourism on Jeju has indirectly helped fund community projects to improve health and education for all on the island, and their future prospects.
It is remarkable that a system of such simple design, first manufactured over 30 years ago in 1972, could influence and have such a beneficial impact on so many people on the other side of the world. There is also the fact that over 1000 Carier systems now operate on farms throughout the British Isles and Europe.
With the implementation of the Nitrates Directive in Northern Ireland, a 22 weeks closed spreading period and a 170kg/acre/year application limit, the Carier Separator System brings environmental control and economic utilisation to the management of the farm business, offering a solution that provides compliance with the regulations while maximising the nutrient value in the liquid and fibre fractions to grow grass cost effectively. With farmgate prices static, any system that significantly reduces input costs, is worthy of serious consideration and appraisal.
Now is maybe the time, particularily if a Farm Nutrient Management Scheme application has been made, to access how such a system could be the solution, be it for an alteration or extension to an existing farm buildings layout or a new green field site project.
Linton Ag-Industrial design, manufacture, supply and install a complete range of treatment systems including aeration, channel and tank mixing, anaerobic digestion as well as separation with our support Nutrient Planning Service.