Advances in slurry application technology have enabled a mixed farm to make the most of its slurry, which has reduced the need for bought-in fertiliser, and improved forage quality.
Three generations of the Garth family milk 400 cows, rear 300 cattle and farm 800 acres near Rugeley in Staffordshire. Livestock are bedded on straw which has led the farm’s slurry to be high in dry matter (DM). However, the family has always managed its slurry with minimal reliance on contractors to provide cost effective natural fertiliser for grass, maize and cereal crops.
“We started farming here 38 years ago and with almost 1000 head of cattle including the milkers, beef cattle and followers, we are always busy managing slurry,” says third generation, Tom Garth.
The family grows wheat, barley and maize on rotation, along with 380 acres of grass. The mixed farm system sees the crops benefit from accurately applied slurry which has reduced the need for bought in fertiliser. The resulting straw bedding system is cost effective but has presented challenges for slurry application.
“We bought our first trailing shoe applicator in 2016 but had our fair share of problems with it. We applied for an FETF grant for the Vogelsang Blackbird in 2019. The macerator was far better equipped to manage our slurry and, when we had the chance to upgrade this year, we chose a wider model with the updated macerator,” says Tom.
His new 15-metre model has the latest ExaCut ECQ distributor which features cutting blades that provide constant pressure on the cutting ring to better manage fibrous slurry.
“Our first Blackbird was a 12-metre, but Vogelsang had a 15-metre in stock when we needed to upgrade so we took it and the 4000 gallon Hi-Spec tanker it was mounted to. It is operated with a Fendt 828 with VarioGrip and VF tyres to help reduce compaction, especially in the wet,” says Tom.
Weather windows have played a part in the farm’s decision to manage slurry application without relying on regular contractor visits. Being able to operate when the ground conditions and weather allows has helped apply more slurry which has consequently reduced the reliance on bought-in fertiliser.
Wet conditions that plagued many areas in the winter and spring of 2024 made having the new tanker and trailing shoe all the more beneficial. However, Tom concedes that it was impossible to give this season’s wheat crop an application in February or March and that on occasion a local umbilical contractor is brought in to help.
“We couldn’t get onto the land, not even with the tractor’s central tyre inflation and VF tyres, it would have caused compaction and damaged the soil,” he adds.
The volume of slurry needed is calculated for each field, depending on crop and the conditions. Tom then uses the tractors forward speed to ensure the slurry is applied evenly.
“Having a 15-metre working width has reduced the number of headland turns, which is also good in the wet because it means less compaction and less time in the field. However, the bigger benefit of the Blackbird is not having to constantly adjust the trailing shoes, the whole unit is very easy to maintain, which is saving me a lot of time,” he adds.
The combination of tractor and slurry equipment enables him to apply 3500 gallons an acre, three times a year, to the farm’s grass leys. This is part of a multi-cut silage system that has seen forage quality improve whilst using less bought-in fertiliser.
“Our P and K values are good, so we only buy in a little N. Because we are bedding on straw and using lime, we find there is little need to spread further lime on the fields. By managing our soil and slurry we have been able to improve forage quality, and it is also good for our maize crop,” says Tom.
220 acres of maize has been grown this season, and previous analysis of clamped maize has shown a DM of 39%, protein at 8% and ME at 11%. The farm’s silage provides 24% DM, with 15% protein and an ME of 12%.
Like many, the farm previously relied on a splash plate, and also has a dribble bar system. Reflecting on the previous machinery, Tom suggests that not applying the slurry beneath the leaf of the crop was inefficient.
“With Fendt and Vogelsang technology, applying slurry is closer to applying a bought-in fertiliser. The control box is easy to use and the shoes sit beneath the leaf canopy, which means slurry is applied directly on to the soil. However, I have noticed that with our slurry being so high in DM, that fibrous content sits on the soil when the liquid has been absorbed.”
The family has considered a slurry separator to reduce the reliance on the Blackbird’s macerator and reduce the amount of DM in the slurry before it is pumped out.
“It is a logical next step for us, but, like everything, it will need to be integrated into our system. We have a 600,000 gallon concrete store that receives slurry from the sheds. This is pumped out to fill a 600,000 gallon tower and we have a 200,000 gallon lagoon too. If we are to have a separator, we need to decide how to incorporate it,” he concludes.
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