As the slurry tank emptying season approaches, many farmers will be dreading the thought of what lies ahead of them.

The hassle of “crust busting” – agitating, stirring and pumping. The stench of the job potentially leading to complaints from family, workers and the local community. The costs, diesel, labour, machinery, they all add up. NVZ (nitrate vulnerable zones) and IPPC (integrated pollution prevention control) regulations only add to the headache, with much focus on slurry storage and odorous emissions.

Costly problems

A typical response might be to buy a new piece of ‘kit’ to deal with a slurry problem. A new stirrer or pump, have the contractors in for longer. A new ventilation system to deal with odour or a new, bigger tank to deal with the storage issue. But we’re now in a climate where farmers can ill afford large capital expenditure, what with foot and mouth, poorer harvests and increased competition from abroad all potentially eroding profit from UK farm coffers. This on top of milk and livestock prices being squeezed mercilessly by retailers.

Few realise that slurry additives containing bacteria (‘bugs’) – millions of which could fit on the point of a pin – are the unsung heroes in solving numerous slurry problems and delivering some key benefits, in one go.

“Bacteria: the biggest non-unionised workforce in the world”

One such additive, proven in trials at home and abroad, is Epizym Cattle and Pigs. It is the result of over 30 years of research and development by the late Dr. Howard E. Worne, recognized as one of the world’s leading microbiologists. Dr. Worne developed one of the world’s most comprehensive arrays of multi-complex organisms for use in environmental microbiology. Through his research, he isolated naturally occurring bacteria which, when applied in specifically prepared groups and measured amounts, perform a variety of remediation and waste management tasks. His famous statement that “bacteria are the biggest non-unionised workforce in the world” is embodied in how Epizym’s slurry additive works.

Putting the bacteria to work

The bacteria in Epizym’s animal waste deodoriser and liquefier use slurry as a food source. They break down the particles to produce a more consistent and runny mix, virtually eliminating crusts and putting floor solids into ‘suspension’ within the mix itself. This produces a liquid, easy to handle organic fertiliser. This goes a long way towards maximising capacity in a storage system, a big tick for the NVZ stipulation of the ‘closed for spreading’ season.

Just as importantly, the additive is proven through Silsoe’s Olfactometer Unit to halve noxious gases, helping pig and poultry farmers not only to meet IPPC rules (where a strict eye is being kept on farms upsetting ‘sensitive receptors’ – those within 400m of the farm) but also to improve atmospheres within buildings for animals and workers.

But the bacteria don’t stop there. It’s also been proved that treatment with Epizym increases the ammonia captured in slurry by 50%, making it more readily available to the crops, boosting the organic fertiliser value of the slurry. Dairy farmer John Pidsley has been using it for 10 years: “When I put the thinner slurry on the land I saw that the grass was growing noticeably quicker almost straight away. So much so, that by the springtime, I was able to drastically reduce the amount of fertiliser I put onto the land, buying only a couple of bags as an ‘insurance policy’ almost.” John also found the increased liquefaction of the slurry beneficial: “I’ve noticed Epizym treated slurry doesn’t stick to leaves, so contamination risk is reduced on silage grounds and we can get the cows back to grazing sooner.”

The product comes in powder form in easy to store 1kg tubs and is simple to apply, with only a bucket, water and a stick needed as tools. It’s 100% non GM making it perfect for organic farming, where maximising slurry value as a fertiliser is essential. It’s also non GM, non-corrosive, non-toxic biodegradable and completely environmentally friendly.Using it can completely remove the need for expensive, noisy and ‘carbon footprint’ making machinery and slash the number hours or sometimes days spent slavishly in and around the slurry storage system. 

So rather than reaching for the machinery catalogue to solve a slurry problem, farmers under pressure might consider harnessing the silent strength of bacteria to do the job for them. For many, it could help save a lot of money which could be re-invested elsewhere, whilst at the same time making life on farm much more pleasant, compliant with regulation and hassle free.

For more information, including a free no obligation consultation on how to make the most of your slurry, call 0800 083 0614. www.epizym.com

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Note to editors:

Stuart Aitkenhead and Giles Dadd are available for quotes and interviews.
Contact: 01892 549 222 (Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm); 07740 320071;  info@epizym.com
Photographs of the bacteria and farmers mentioned are attached.

Suggested photo captions are provided below.

Full farmer case studies available on request or by visiting http://www.epizym.com/pages/success_stories.htm

Photo Captions

Bugs.jpeg - “Epizym’s ‘bugs’ under the microscope – surprisingly effective for their size”