Why separate slurry?

Slurry separation is an increasingly popular method for making slurry management on farms more efficient and sustainable. But why separate slurry in the first place and what are the benefits of this process? In this article, we explain why separating slurry into solids and liquid is a sensible decision for farmers and how it can improve operations.

 

What is slurry separation?

Slurry separation is the process of separating slurry into two main components: the liquid and the solids. While the liquid mainly contains nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the solids can be reused, for example as compost or bedding. The entire process helps to increase nutrient efficiency while reducing waste on the farm.

 

The advantages of manure separation

Slurry separation is not just a technical measure, but a strategic step towards more sustainable and efficient farming. By separating the manure into thin slurry and solids, farmers open up numerous new possibilities for utilising the manure. This method not only optimises the nutrient cycle, but also helps to conserve resources and reduce costs in the long term.

At a time when efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important, slurry separation is an ideal solution for both increasing yields and reducing the burden on the environment. But what exactly makes manure separation so valuable? Here are five key benefits that slurry separation brings to your farm.

1. efficient utilisation of nutrients:

By separating the slurry, valuable nutrients can be applied to the fields in a targeted and precise manner. The thin slurry contains a high concentration of fast-acting nitrogen, which is absorbed more quickly into the soil through separation and leaves less feed contamination on the field. Due to the high proportion of organically bound nitrogen, the solids can be used as a slow-release fertiliser and return carbon to the carbon cycle. As a result, yields increase and the need for reseeding and herbicides is reduced.

2. reuse of the solids:

The solids that remain after slurry separation can be used in a variety of ways. They can be finely spread on the field and thus additionally support the fertilising effect. They can also be fed into slurry biogas plants or used as bedding.
 

3. reduced feed contamination:

Thanks to its improved flowability, thin slurry is absorbed more quickly into the soil, which minimises nutrient losses and protects the environment. In addition, the thin slurry significantly reduces contamination of forage and crops, which can prevent burns to the plants.

4. increased storage capacity:

By separating the solid part from the slurry, you get up to 20% new storage volume in your slurry tank. This reduces storage and subsequent transport costs, as the nutrient content per tonne of slurry increases.

5. improvement of the nutrient balance and environmental impact:

Excess nutrients can be released in a targeted manner, for example to arable farms or biogas plants. This improves the nutrient balance and at the same time reduces the environmental impact - manure separation thus makes an important contribution to sustainable agriculture.

 

Why is slurry separation important for the future of agriculture?

Agriculture is under increasing pressure to operate in a more environmentally friendly and resource-saving way. Separating liquid manure offers a valuable solution for making the farm more sustainable. By using manure efficiently as a fertiliser and reducing waste, agriculture can reduce its ecological footprint and increase productivity at the same time.

By separating manure, farmers can not only improve their operational efficiency, but also reduce their long-term operating costs and optimise their environmental footprint. The trend is towards a circular economy, and manure separation is a step in the right direction.

 

This is what our customer Mario Müller from the Müller dairy farm says

‘Very high praise for the Paulmichl company. Starting with the trial, the set-up, the loaning of the first steps and now the mobile device that we have on our farm. Back then, separator Peter brought us the first separator to try out. Of course, everything was great, including the explanation, until it is now here on the farm, including commissioning. I have to praise the Paulmichl company and Separator Peter. Because it's only thanks to people like that and a company like that that it's possible to continue farming’ - Mario Müller, Müller dairy farm in Maierhöfen, Allgäu.

 

Customised slurry separation - find the ideal separator for your requirements

Separating slurry is an efficient solution for optimising the use of resources on your farm and protecting the environment. Our slurry separators enable you to utilise the nutrients from the manure in a targeted manner and at the same time reuse waste products in a sensible way.

However, not every separator is the same - the choice of the right device depends on many factors, such as the slurry requirements of your farm, the medium (e.g. pig slurry or cattle slurry) and the required throughput rate. In addition, aspects such as the dry substrate content and the mobility of the machine must be taken into account.

To ensure that you find the right model for your requirements, we recommend a personal consultation. Our experts will help you compare the different separators we offer and choose the right solution for your business - whether it's for an agricultural facility, a contract operation or a biogas plant.

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