From rising fertiliser costs to more efficient slurry application, Mattie Moore explains why he upgraded to a 24m Vogelsang BackPac system
For pig and tillage farmer Mattie Moore, getting the maximum value from slurry has always been part of the farming system.
Based in Croghan, Co. Offaly, Mattie runs a mixed enterprise of 1,000 sows alongside 450 acres of cereals, growing barley, wheat and rye. The slurry produced on the pig unit is used to grow crops, while the cereals harvested on farm are fed back to the pigs — creating a fully integrated cycle.
As fertiliser costs increased, Mattie knew he needed to find ways to make better use of the nutrients already available on farm.
“Fertiliser costs were one of the biggest expenses on the farm,” Mattie explained. “We wanted to see could we push the boundaries of our current system even further. It can be difficult to use organic fertilisers on growing grain crops at the optimum time, so the aim was to grow as much of the crop as possible using pig slurry and reduce our chemical fertiliser bill.”
At the time, Mattie was operating a 12m umbilical system on 24m tramlines, meaning every second pass through crops was required. While the system worked well, he wanted to improve efficiency, reduce wheelings and make slurry application more practical later into the growing season.
As part of his research, Mattie visited a tillage farm in Northern Ireland operating a 24m Vogelsang system.
“We were seriously impressed with both the machine’s capabilities and the savings in chemical fertiliser,” he said.
“I chose Vogelsang for their expertise, build quality and the knowledge their team has of the equipment.”
That experience led to Mattie investing in a 24m Vogelsang BackPac dribble bar umbilical system, designed specifically for tramline farming and precise slurry application.
Designed for controlled traffic tramline farming, the Vogelsang BackPac allows slurry to be applied directly onto tramlines using an umbilical system rather tankers, reducing soil compaction while improving nutrient efficiency and protecting soil structure.
As a tried and tested LESS technology in Irish slurry conditions, the BackPac system uses rigid hosing to place slurry in narrow bands close to the soil surface. This helps reduce nutrient loss to the atmosphere and improves crop uptake — particularly important for growers aiming to maximise the fertiliser value of slurry.
The system also offers full Isobus control, allowing operators to manage key functions directly through the joystick for ease of operation.
For Mattie, one of the biggest advantages has been precision.
The 24m BackPac includes section control in 3m widths and 2x3 tramline hose shut-off, ensuring slurry is applied only where needed and not wasted on tramlines.
Since upgrading to the 24m system, Mattie has already covered 250 acres of winter crops with a single 3,000 gallons per acre application.
“So far, we have been really impressed with the machine and its precise application,” he said. “With the 24m boom, we are obviously travelling only on the tramlines, and this will allow us to apply a second spring application of pig slurry.”
Operating solely on tramlines also means slurry can be applied later into the season with minimal crop damage, helping Mattie target nutrient demand more effectively.
“The Vogelsang BackPac has allowed me to use valuable organic manure on growing crops at the right time, which has made a big difference to input costs. It’s also much more time efficient when applying organic manure.”
Regular slurry testing has also reinforced the nutrient value of pig slurry on the farm. Recent analysis showed that 1,000 gallons of sow slurry at 4.3% solids delivered the equivalent of 50kg of 19-7-20 fertiliser, highlighting the value of organic nutrients when applied accurately.
Mattie says he is continuing to develop the system further.
“The sales and support from Vogelsang Ireland have been excellent so far, and we’re already looking at adding Vogelsang’s NightShift boom lights for night-time application,” he said.
As pressure on input costs continues, Mattie’s experience highlights how precision slurry application can help farmers reduce fertiliser spend while maximising the value of every drop of slurry.
For farmers and contractors looking to make better use of slurry nutrients in the most efficient way possible, speak with one of our slurry experts to find the right solution for your farm. With slurry applicators ranging from 6m to 36m, Vogelsang Ireland has a solution to suit every operation.
Vogelsang Slurry Management Range
BackPac Umbilical Spreading System