Considerations when storing slurry

Crusting

During slurry storage the formation of a crust caused by fibrous particles floating to the top of the slurry prevents oxygen and light entering the lagoon. This lack of basic life source for aerobic bacteria leads to lower microbial activity in the lagoon to break down manure solids and volatile anaerobic life forms dominate.

The enzymes produced by SlurryBugs in combination with the enzyme mix in the SlurryBooster application degrade much of the undigested fibre that causes crusting. This achieves more liquefied slurry with less odour.

Odour

The production of ammonia from slurry releases unpleasant odours and can lead to ammonium deposition which can cause acidification of soils and over-fertilisation of sensitive crops. The SlurryBugs process of metabolising ammonium into organic nitrogen reduces odour and provides a slow release mechanism that helps prevent acidification of the soil.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Slurry is responsible for the emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. If carbon dioxide is considered as the baseline strength of greenhouse gas then methane is 25x more potent and nitrous oxide 250x more so. Furthermore, despite ammonia not being classed as a greenhouse gas, it can be effectively converted to nitrous oxide, which as described above is an extremely potent greenhouse gas.

Gas tests at Lancaster University during summer 2010 revealed that after 5 weeks treatment with SlurryBugs there was a threefold decrease in CO2 levels and a twofold decrease in methane emissions following treatment with SlurryBugs in comparison to untreated slurry taken from the same cows.

Recently published data from ADAS and DEFRA assume 70% of all nitrogen in 6% dry matter cow slurry is lost to the atmosphere. Through use of SlurryBugs and Booster at the correct rate over 2/3rds of this lost nutrient can now be captured for plant uptake.

Toxic fumes

Care must be taken with slurry storage under slats when using plasterboard-based bedding which gives off hygogen sulphide. This results in reduced oxygen levels in the sheds as well as toxic gas production which can be a hazard to animals kept indoors. 

For more information from the Environment Agency about the potential danger of hydrogen sulphide gas click here

For more information call Envirosystems: 01772 860 085
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The production of ammonia from slurry releases unpleasant odours and can lead to acidification of soils and over-fertilisation of sensative crops due to ammonia deposition.