Kalvi Tamm, Raivo Vettik, Taavi Võsa Innovative Technologies for spreading of manure

Manure as Material Classification is by: animal type- cattle, pig, bird, sheep etc. litter type – straw, saw dust, peat, sand etc. dry matter content age - raw or maturated solid manure

In Estonian legislation by dry matter content from weight 1) liquid manure or slurry: 25%.

To pump or not to pump? For handling and spreading point of view: if dry matter content < 12% It can be pumped. else It must be shovelled.

Semi-liquid manure Dry matter content 10-20% Hard to pump and hard to heep. Universal spreader is required

Processing Separation –Separate dry and liquid fractions Biogas production –Helps to separate –More homogeneous material is coming from gas plant. Chemical treatment (SyreN) –Less NO 3 emissions, N is saved for plants –Additional S

Solid manure Photo: Kalvi Tamm, LMR Azene

Innovations in solid manure spreading Photos: Fliegel

Innovations in solid manure spreading Photos: Joskin, Samson, Raivo Vettik

Innovations in solid manure spreading Photo: Bergmann

Liquid manure Dry matter content below 12%. Can be loaded and transported to short distances with pumps or by pressure difference Low nutrient content Uncovered storage tanks collect lot of rainwater – unnecessary volume increase Soil injection technologies available for different crops

Broadcast spreading Usage is limited by law Should not be used, unless followed with instant tillage Remarkable nutrient loss on air born stage is unavoidable –High risk of runoff! Productive, fast, simple machinery High odour issues possible Hygiene issues due manure covered plants

Band spreading No air born stage emissions Better infiltration on lower rates Durable and less expensive machinery High productivity and low running costs Efficient nutrient usage requires incorporation to soil by tillage Less hygiene issues Trailing hose, trailing shoe

Injection – open slot Less emissions Faster infiltration to soil Small amounts to shallow slots Deep slots disturb plants Remarkable runoff losses, when slots are slope- oriented Minor damage to plants on shallow slots Trailing shoe with knife, one- or two disk coulters

Injection – closed slot Even less emissions Amount is limited to slot dimensions Better field contour coping, more even working depth Higher draught force requirement Tine coulters are lifting stones Plants can suffer remarkably, if used improper growth stage Odour issue reduction Disk coulters, tine coulters

High pressure injection Fast and productive No stone problems Harmless to plants Odour issues reduction possible High energy demand Requires homogenous and constant material flow Not common – one manufacturer

Incorporation spreading Band spreading directly to soil tillage equipment active zone Manure spreading and first tillage can be done in one pass Mainly disc harrows Low emissions High overall efficiency Minor odour issues High draught requirement because soil tillage equipment

Transportation Liquid manure transport with spreader tanker is feasible up to distances 5 km Longer distances require separate hauling tankers Trucks are fast, but can have problems in field Soil thickening!!! Volume matching –Spreading device should not wait! Buffer tanks –Old marine containers

Umbilical systems Less pressure to soil High output No wasted runs with empty tank Some durability issues if used with high speed equipment Obstacles in field are problem (electrical poles, big stones or stone piles etc.) Requires constant feed, if prehauling tankers are used –Buffer tanks!

Separation Liquid and dry fractions can be handled differently N (liquid) vs P (solid) distribution No water haulage Nutrient-rich dry fraction can be processed to higher value product Liquid fraction can be reused (flushing canals) or purified for release to nature storage volume reduction

Biogas production More closely from Mr. Peep Pitk WIN-WIN situation Methanogenesis has neglible effect to nutrient content Methane reactor homogenizes content, thus making material better to handle Less odour issues Digestate infiltrates faster Fertilization recommendations are still on study

SyreN Acidification reduces remarkably NH 4 emissions Better infiltration Costly equipment Scalable Economical efficiency is under study (Baltic Slurry Acidi) Not widely spread due special requirements Acid IS dangerous substance to handle Fertilization recommendations are still on study

Handling is critical No „miracle“ device on the market Most machines are suitable to certain conditions Even best machine performs poorly, if operaator is not: skilled, trained and motivated Machinery tends to be heavy, take care of soil Light materials Maximum size tyres Tyre pressure adjusting systems

Timing is everything Manure is slow source of nutrients –Someone must be consuming, otherwise nutrients can leach out –Soil live matter needs also nutrient to feel good Dry manure is not suitable to fertilizing growing crops Liquid manure can be used also to growing crops. Caution: –Growth stage –Soil state –Logistics (there can be load limitations on roads)

Manure is a bless, not the problem! Questions: