Managing manure on dairy farms

• Manure fibres, sand, gravel and waste feed can decrease the storage capacity of ponds, wear out pumps and equipment, and cause blockages to irrigation systems.
• Adding a feedpad to a farm system may require an upgrade of an existing effluent system. It is good to get professional advice about the design of feedpads and effluent management at the planning stage of the project.
• If manure and solids need to be stored before applying them back to land, they should be stored on an impermeable surface which drains back into the effluent system.
• Manure is rich in nutrients and organic matter, and can be highly beneficial as a fertiliser and soil conditioner when applied to pasture or incorporated into the soil for new crops.
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