1st CARIER SEPARATION SYSTEM IN IRELAND BY LINTON SOLUTIONS
Turning slurry into gold may seem unrealistic, even far fetched, but this is what John and Tony Finegan have been doing for the last 17 years on their farm near Wilkinstown, Co Meath. This unique and creditable achievement of success commenced in 1990 with the installation of the first Carier Rotascreen Slurry Separation System in Ireland by Linton Solutions Ltd. The prime objective of any capital investment is repayment in the shortest possible time, and in this case, the key was good management and maximum utilisation of one of the farm’s major natural resources, the nutrient value of the annual 1,500,000 gallons of slurry produced by the cattle fattening enterprise.
The principles of slurry separation has brought many benefits, both environmental and economic to our farm business, long before the recent introduction of the compulsory closed storage and spreading periods, commented John Finegan. From 1990, the separated liquid was stored over the winter months without the need for regular mixing, and when the growing season commenced in spring, we applied the separated liquid to grassland and arable crops without taint, contamination or scorch. The rapid penetration of the separated liquid through the soil surface to the roots of the plants precipitates a much quicker crop response and growth due to plant uptake of the available nutrient rich liquid. We also discovered that we could apply larger volumes of separated liquid per acre without harm to land or crop. This level of application was not previously possible with whole slurry. Initially, we applied separated solids fibre as a high fertility soil conditioner to both grassland and arable crops but on discovering that composting the separated solids fibre was a reality, my son, Tony and I embarked on establishing a composting business. While one can gain knowledge on the composting process from many sources, accumulated experience over many years is by far the best tutor on the subject. Under our company brand name, “Organic Gold”, we supply to retail garden centres, shops and superstore outlets while our wholesale department manufactures specialist compost mixtures for the amenity markets which include golf courses, football and rugby grounds, landscapers and local authorities
Our most recent milestone, of which we are particularly proud, is the granting of an E.P.A. license. This is recognition that our company complies with strict criteria regarding manufacturing and environmental standards.
The most vital aspect of our composting business, commented John Finegan, is consistency of product. If the Carier system had not delivered on this most important requirement, our business would not survive in this competitive market. Having completed 17 years of operation with increasing output each year, the Carier separator system has performed very well and the fact that it has separated 35 million gallons of cattle slurry is testimony to its proven reliability.
In reflection on agriculture in Ireland, current legislation in the form of the Nitrates Directive, and his own farming activities, John Finegan made some interesting observations. While slurry separation is not for every farmer in Ireland, the Carier system does offer a new approach to the management and handling of slurry. The important transition from spreading whole slurry in the winter months with a higher pollution risk, to a system that brings more flexibility, environmental control and better economic utilisation of a natural resource in the form of separated liquid and solids fibre as a substitute for purchased fertiliser, represents a major change in policy and purpose. The ability to spread with
appropriate timing and rate of application for a particular crop throughout the growing season when land and weather conditions are generally more favourable, make a strong case for this sound, sustainable and proven system.
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, improves management and is compliant with current legislation, merits serious consideration and appraisal. There are many farm businesses with substantial liveldstock enterprises who could take advantage of this tried and tested technology. It has worked for Tony and I for 17 years and I would encourage other farmers to consider “turning their slurry into gold”.