Manure Management

The other day on the way to the dump I stopped to watch a manure spreading operation on a field not far away. 

click on images for a closer look

 

I have observed these ginormous tanker trucks hauling liquid manure, a network of large diameter hoses, tanks and pumping equipment and what appeared to a rig hitched to the tractor that not only injected the manure into the soil but also used a disc to work-up the soil as well. 

It all appears to be a bit more complicated than the usual practice of spraying a geyser of liquid manure over the surface of a field and then returning to disc it the next day.  Complications-aside, it does appear more efficient and most definitely has a diminished olfactory impact. 

If I had to hazard a guess this non-farmer - suspects that manure injection (versus spreading) reduces nutrient losses due to evaporation and also reduced runoff.  Both of these features are important considering Door County's shallow soils and karst geology.  Is it higher cost?  I suspect it is.  Does this result in higher yields?  I dunno the answers to these questions.  Maybe someone that knows about this technology will chime-in with a comment. 

Using the photos I snapped - I believe I identified the equipment mounted on the Deere tractor and it would appear to be a manure injector and disc – Phil’s Pumping and Fabrication.  (This is what retired guys do when they have spare time on their hands).   

photo - Phil's Pumping and Fabrication

 

Specs as follows: 

Pottinger Terradisc  - 20 Feet 
Bolt on swing tube for attaching with ease.     
Accurate Application with 4 splash pans spreading in front of the discs evenly spaced.       Hydraulically run 6" Trueline Valve w/Resilient Seat for superb sealing.      
23" notched discs built to last!     
Flow Meter accessible     

You can lean much more about dairy farm manure handling at Phil’s Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/philspumpingandfab/       

And by watching this YouTube video…..