An effective effluent system is one of the most important things for your farm. If you have cows, then you are going to have poo, and choosing the right way to drain and distribute this waste can save you serious money. This also means that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The effluent system you choose will work best if it is tailored particularly to your farm, taking into consideration the specific equipment, layout and barn that you use.
What is a Free Stall barn?
A Free Stall barn is a permanent structure that can be enclosed or open air, and refers to the bedding area where the cows can stand or lay down. There are many benefits to a free stall barn, such as better weather management for cow comfort, eliminating production losses from moving from the dairy to the pasture and preserving laneways during winter months. One of the biggest benefits of a free stall barn is an increase in feed intake which equals an increase in milk output. This also means an increase in manure, which is a great thing! Without a barn, only around 10% of manure can be collected. However, a free stall barn allows for 100% to be collected.
The Benefits of a Circular Effluent System:
There’s a lot to consider when planning an effluent system. If designed properly, you minimise waste whether it’s water, power or product. A circular effluent system makes sure that every part of your cow’s waste is being used in a way that benefits and grows your farm.
How it works:
Water: Water usage is decreased, as fresh water can be circulated, going through the screen separator to remove solids and then recycled to be flushed through the barn again. With water being reused, the barn can be cleaned more frequently while not using any more water.
Runoff: A typical barn or feed pad has a substantial catchment area in order to catch the water runoff used for cleaning or heavy rainfall.
Solid-Liquid Separation Systems: Solid separation is used to separate large particles and organic matter from the manure stream. This reduces strain on sumps, reduces sludge in ponds and concentrates organic matter that can then be used directly on the pasture.
Feed Increase: With cows housed in a barn instead of constantly grazing, the pastures are free to be used to grow more food. Solid and liquid manure that is collected can be used on the crops to encourage growth, and recycled water can be used to water them during dry times.
As with most things on a farm, implementing free stall barns with a circular effluent system will take time and money. However, doing so future-proofs your farm into the next ten years or more. So if you to want plan for future growth, contact us today on 6394 6064 for a consultation.