Effluent Pond Stirrers

Frank’s view

Frank and Cheryl Grigg, run 180 cows on 70 ha (55 ha effective), with an 18 ha run-off, in Taranaki on a combination of peat/swampy soils and clay rolling hills. They also have an effluent pond 100 metres long and between 30 and 60 metres wide that, not too far back, was causing them a problem.

Frank explains.

“We used to get the pond pumped out every winter, and the ground it went on was unusable. “There had to be a better way.”

Frank says Matt from FarmChief showed him a video, on his phone, at Central Districts Field Days that provided a system with the solution: A Storth pond stirrer and 6,000 litre, 8 ton tanker combination.

Where the stirrer especially fitted Frank’s needs was its ability to mix the slurry, giving a product that is smooth and uniform- making more nutrients available for pastures and removing the solids that can limit pond capacity.

And, as Frank says, it was faster. “It was amazing. What used to be 5-6 hours work was done in just 2 hours with one stirrer, and with less horse power.” He uses the effluent tanker behind the cows, and says it’s made a significant change, with paddocks put back into rotation seamlessly. “It works very well now.”

Frank said he used to rely on top-dressing to keep production up but now finds the effluent recycling does the job for him. He also appreciates the benefits of add-ons including the tanker’s ability to efficiently clean out water troughs ready for the next season. “It saves time and you’re all ready to go.”

“It’s a great system and very easy to use. And FarmChief are good people to deal with.”

- Pond Stirrier

Doug’s view.

Caldwell Contracting have been leaders in their field for over 20 years, covering all aspects of agriculture from silage to wood chipping to cultivation and effluent management and spreading. You can learn more at www.caldwellcontracting.co.nz Doug Caldwell says the substantial family business, which operates out of Edendale, Southland, is constantly looking for innovations in effluent management and understand the needs of the dairy farmers they work with. “The Storth Mega Mix has been good. It’s safer and faster than others. And it’s definitely better than conventional stirrers. “We use it for mixing all ponds and also loading our transport tankers.”

- Storth Mega Mix