Making the most out of waste 





 

During one of our first theory lessons we looked at an article on effluent re-use on dairy farms.

Nutrients are lost from the soil when cows feed on pastures, these nutrients can be replaced by purchasing high cost fertilisers or collecting effluent (cow manure and urine) to re-apply to paddocks.

Effluent is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon which are all necessities for healthy pastures. This is a sustainable way for replacing lost minerals from the soil without having to increase the cost of cash inputs. This also reduces CO2 levels in our environment.

 It is important not to waste nutrients on a farm. Cow manure can be converted into liquid fertiliser and applied to pastures to promote growth, it also allows the re-use of effluent to be recycled through the farm's ecosystem which can often include or lead to more than just cattle and grass

Effluent is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic carbon. It provides nutrients for the plants that make up the pasture that the animals feed on. Effluent re-use allows Carbon and Nitrogen to be recycled through the farm's ecosystem which can often include more than just cattle and grass.

 Benefits of recycling effluent on Dairy Farms

Correct application of effluent will boost pasture production.

Possible cost savings through reduced need for fertiliser.

Effluent can be an excellent soil conditioner (a source of organic carbon).

Containing nutrients and sediment on-farm reduces contamination of waterways.

Reduce spread of animal and human disease (by eliminating waterway contamination of the harmful bacteria in effluent).

Conserving water by recycling and/or reducing amount used (amount depends on size of alleys, yards, etc, and the quality of cleaning).

Well-designed, constructed and maintained tracks will assist in reducing lameness, promote good udder hygiene and improve stock traffic flow.

Capturing nutrients from laneways and redistributing them on-farm provides a source of nutrients.

UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE	ACCEPTABLE PRACTICE	ABOVE ACCEPTABLE PRACTICE
No system to collect effluent. This could result in effluent leaving the property in ground and surface waters.	Effluent being applied by a sprinkler system. Applying effluent correctly maximises nutrient use and minimises nutrient run-off from the farm.	A two-pond system allows flexibility to store over the wet months (reducing the chance of run-off). Effluent can be applied to pastures when they are actively growing (maximising nutrient benefit) and there’s the opportunity to recycle for yard wash-down.

Sweetie Meaty Pie says this is a sustainable practice that all farmers should consider implementing on their farms.


Information sourced from

Effluent Re-use on farms leaflet

http://www.dairyingfortomorrow.com/index.php?id=94

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=effluent+reuse+dairy+farms+australia&FORM=AWIR1#view=detail&id=D83FDA4081D6F1CA0F6C6BDFA3C8B077759F367F&selectedIndex=13