Effluent System Transforms Operation

Farm Manager Clarke Holmes is reaping the benefits of a Clean Green Effluent Company system, which he believes has completely transformed operations on his parents’ 116-hectare, 265-cow property in Otautau. The family turned to the Clean Green Effluent Company after hearing about its reputation for low-maintenance systems through a family friend in the South Island.

“We examined their system and were immediately impressed. With it being automatic it was simple to operate. It emptied the effluent every day with no need to worry about ponding or run off etc. The technology behind it all worked faultlessly, although looking over the system, Lindsay has designed it with the farmer in mind — it’s very simple. It truly alleviates stress and simplifies a task that was once considered burdensome,” explains Clarke.

According to the Clean Green Effluent Company, the system begins with a unique, patented concrete-lined weeping wall that removes 35 % more solids and nutrients from effluent than any other tested weeping wall. The system is over 1,000 times cleaner than a solids press. The filtered liquid can be reused for cleaning external yards, and the automated green-washing system can reduce freshwater usage by 60% virtually eliminating wash time.

The removal of solids lowers the NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) in the liquid effluent to a level that allows the fully automated, low-rate, low-depth application system to safely apply effluent to land on a daily basis, with a maximum application depth of 0.75 mm. This eliminates the risk of nitrate leaching or ponding. As the solids dry in the weeping wall, the liquids separate and are directed back to the pasture. The entire system remains odour-free and aerobic, and since the NPK levels in the liquid are low, the nutrients can be immediately absorbed by pasture growth. Nitrate leaching is significantly reduced, and the ponds only need minor maintenance on a fortnightly basis.

“It’s much quicker and easier to move the pods compared to a travelling irrigator. What used to take four trips, and a lot of back-and-forth now only takes two trips with the new Clean Green system. “It’s also significantly reduced the time spent at the cowshed for hosing, using the recycled green water from the system. It has easily halved the time, and the water usage has dropped substantially. The simplicity of this system is remarkable. The pasture growth and quality are exceptional, and the accessibility of the races is greatly benefiting our land. Paddocks that were previously inaccessible for travelling irrigator now have four pods, which are improving pasture quality and, most importantly, providing our cows with high-quality grass.  It’s beneficial for the cows and, ultimately, it’s beneficial for everything. We are currently experiencing a dry spell, much like the rest of the country, but the area we are now able top cover with pods has given us more availability of grass. Areas of dead pasture have quickly turned green again, ready for the autumn rain.”

Clarke appreciates the system’s simplicity, noting that anyone can monitor it with just a quick glance.

“There are two tanks with floats that indicate the tank levels. One tank should always be empty and the other full. If I see one float raised and the other lowered, I know the system is running perfectly. It’s that easy — no more last-minute surprises with a full pond.”