What if one of the greatest opportunities to grow more grass wasn’t in buying additional fertiliser, but in making better use of the nutrients already available on farm?

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Slurry management is becoming one of the most important opportunities for livestock farmers.

Rising fertiliser prices, tighter environmental regulations and increasing pressure to improve nutrient efficiency are encouraging farmers to rethink how slurry is stored, managed and utilised on farm.

Traditionally, slurry has often been viewed as a by-product that simply needs to be stored and spread. However, advances in technology and management practices are helping farmers unlock greater value from slurry, while also reducing emissions and improving grass production.

These approaches range from slurry separation and anaerobic digestion (AD) to technologies that help preserve nutrients during storage.

The Alltech 'Know Your Slurry' programme highlights how preserving more of the nutrients already present in slurry can deliver both economic and environmental benefits. Read on for key takeaways.

Turning slurry into a more versatile resource

One area attracting growing interest is slurry separation. This mechanical process divides slurry into a nutrient-rich solid fraction and a liquid fraction that can be managed more efficiently. The liquid portion typically retains most of the nitrogen, while a large proportion of phosphorus is concentrated in the solids.

This creates several practical benefits. The liquid fraction can be spread more easily using low emissions slurry spreading equipment, such as trailing shoes and dribble bars, while the solid fraction can be transported to tillage farms or stored separately.

Removing fibrous material can also increase available storage capacity within slurry tanks.

Another developing opportunity is the use of slurry in AD systems. While slurry on its own has relatively low energy potential, it can play an important role when combined with higher-energy feedstocks such as grass silage.

The advantages extend beyond renewable energy production. AD captures methane that would otherwise be released during slurry storage and converts it into usable energy.

The resulting digestate retains much of the original feedstock nitrogen, with a greater proportion present in a more plant-available form. This can improve nutrient recovery and increase the fertiliser value of the material returned to the land.

For farms supplying slurry to AD facilities, this creates opportunities to contribute to renewable energy production, while benefiting from improved nutrient recycling and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Capturing more value through nutrient retention

Alongside these developments, there is increasing focus on preserving nutrients during slurry storage. Significant nitrogen losses can occur as gases are released into the atmosphere. These losses reduce the fertiliser value of slurry and contribute to agricultural emissions.

“Slurry additives are becoming part of the conversation around nutrient management. Eminex™, manufactured by Alzchem Group, is designed to be applied during slurry storage to help stabilise slurry and reduce the release of environmentally harmful gases. Eminex can also help reduce crusting and foaming and improve slurry consistency.”

By reducing nutrient losses during storage, more nitrogen is retained within the slurry and remains available for crop growth after application. This has the potential to improve nutrient use efficiency, reduce dependence on chemical fertiliser and increase the value derived from nutrients already produced on the farm.

What better nutrient retention can mean on farm

The practical impact of improved nutrient retention was demonstrated in a series of commercial dairy farm trials, where grass growth was measured over a four-week period following the application of slurry treated with Eminex, compared with the application of untreated slurry.

The results showed consistent improvements in grass dry matter production where treated slurry was applied. On one farm, grass production increased from 1,720kg DM/ha to 2,000kg DM/ha, delivering an additional 280kg DM/ha.

On a second farm, grass production increased from 4,100kg DM/ha to 4,700kg DM/ha, generating an additional 600kg DM/ha. These responses represented increases of 16.3% and 14.6% respectively.

At a time when every kilogramme of grass grown on farm has a direct impact on profitability, the findings demonstrate the value of maximising the nutrients already available within slurry.

What’s next in slurry management?

The future of slurry management will increasingly focus on maximising nutrient recovery while minimising emissions. Whether through slurry testing, separation technologies, AD or nutrient-preserving additives, farmers now have access to a range of tools that can help improve efficiency and sustainability.

Rather than being viewed simply as a by-product that requires management, slurry should increasingly be seen as a valuable on-farm resource.

Through improved storage, nutrient preservation, separation technologies and AD, farmers can unlock greater value from the nutrients already available on their farms.

By adopting practices that protect nutrient value and reduce losses, Irish livestock producers can improve grass growth, lower input costs and contribute to more sustainable farming systems in the years ahead.

Eminex and Alzchem group product distributed by Alltech.

For more info, contact 059-910 1320.