Slurry improver retains nitrogen and reduces emissions

A biological slurry additive said to reduce solids and ammonia emissions while improving soil nitrogen retention has been launched by Tramspread.

MicroZyme products will reduce emissions and improve the value of slurry to the crop and soil, explained Tramspread managing director Terry Baker. It contains bacteria to break down fibre, starch, pectins, fats and protein residues to decrease solids, he added.

The government’s Clean Air Strategy has demanded that emissions from slurry be cut by maintaining slurry stores and applying slurry more accurately. It is expected that splash plates will be banned in 2025 and that all slurry should be covered by 2027.

More efficient

“These products will help farmers to meet these targets and will also make applying slurry more efficient,” said Mr Baker.

Slurry treated with MicroZyme requires less agitation and will require less fuel to pump out. It will also make the slurry more homogenous which will improve application accuracy, especially with trailing shoe or dribble bar applicators.

Degradative enzymes in MicroZyme begin to act on the slurry immediately to decrease solids and reduce crust formation. This will also reduce the build-up of sediment that can lead to some storage, such as lagoons, reducing in capacity and becoming unsustainable.

The nitrogen, phosphate and potash value of slurry – and the nutrient uptake potential for the crop – will also be improved following treatment with MicroZyme, says Mr Baker.

“This will make the slurry more suited to multi-cut silage systems and will reduce the need for bought-in fertiliser because the slurry will have more value to the crop and can be absorbed by the crop and the soil more effectively.”

Trials have shown that treated slurry has lower levels of coliforms and E. coli. The Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand are also lower. This improves nitrogen retention and reduces sulphide and ammonia levels.