Otorohanga dairy farmer Ben Scott has embraced cutting-edge effluent management technology from the Clean Green Effluent Company that has dramatically reduced labour requirements and eliminated the need for traditional storage ponds.
Ben, who farms in partnership with his father Ken on their 110-hectare property milking 300 cows, installed the Clean Green Effluent Company system after constructing a new 30-aside herringbone shed. The decision to move away from conventional effluent systems came after researching various options and recognising the significant advantages of the innovative approach.
“We got a few quotes from a few different companies, and every other system included a large pond,” explains Ben. “The benefit of the Clean Green Effluent Company system is you don’t need a pond, just a weeping wall and a few tanks.”
At the heart of the technology lies a patented concrete-lined weeping wall that removes 35 percent more solids and nutrients than any other weeping walls tested, achieving results over 1,000 times cleaner than a solids press. This superior filtration enables the system’s remarkable efficiency.
“With the Clean Green Effluent Company system, you only irrigate 1/4 mm per application which means you can irrigate every day, so the pond size is reduced to just a few tanks,” says Ben. “It’s such a unique system. People are always like ‘where’s your big pond?’ But with this system you simply don’t need one.”
The automated system requires minimal supervision — a significant advantage for busy farming operations. The filtered liquid effluent is applied to pasture at a maximum depth of 0.75 mm daily, eliminating risks of nitrate leaching or ponding and maintaining aerobic conditions throughout.
Monitoring the system’s operation couldn’t be simpler. Two tanks with float indicators provide instant visual confirmation of proper functioning.
“I just need to glance over at it as I drive past it and only have to shift the pods every couple of weeks to a new paddock before cows go grazing in it.”
The contrast with traditional systems is stark. On the Scott’s other farm, a conventional pond and irrigating cannon requires constant attention and manual shifting, creating ongoing labour demands.
Installation advantages with the Clean Green Effluent Company system are immediately apparent, with the compact footprint requiring minimal earthworks compared to traditional large pond systems. The entire installation of digging and pond lining was completed in just two days.
Additional benefits include substantial water savings through the system’s greenwater recycling capabilities. The filtered liquid is suitable for cleaning external yards, reducing freshwater usage by 60 percent and eliminating wash time through automated cleaning cycles.
“We use the greenwater on the jetter system and the backing gate, so it’s certainly saved a lot of water,” says Ben.
The system’s low nutrient loading in the liquid effluent reduces risks of elevated post-milking BOD levels, potentially lowering risk of cow metabolic issues and allowing immediate pasture utilisation of applied nutrients.
The ongoing support from the Clean Green Effluent Company has impressed Ben, with company owner Lindsay Lewis providing comprehensive backup and readily available assistance.
“Lindsay is a really good guy to deal with,” says Ben. “If I put a new effluent system in on our other farm, I’d definitely install a Clean Green Effluent Company system.”