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Photo: John Zylstra
In the Peace region, local area hog producers were looking for an alternative method of applying liquid hog manure to their fields. Three years ago, the Fairview Applied Research Association (FARA) launched a project through the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) program to develop a low cost liquid manure injection system for demonstration. This project continues today under the AESA Farm Based Extension Partnership of the Municipal Districts of Clear Hills No. 21, Fairview No. 136 and Peace No. 135.
“Under the project, a liquid hog manure injector was designed and built, that allowed local area hog farmers to try it on their operations,” explains Gerard Aldridge, Conservation Technician. “The system required some modifications over the years, and is now working quite well. Two local cooperators continue to use and demonstrate its use.”
Jacob Hiemstra, in the MD of Peace and Tjerk Dejong, in the MD of Fairview are the cooperating hog producers. The injector is designed to attach to their liquid manure tank. “Some of the challenges initially faced by the producers were lack of enough horsepower to adequately pull both the tank and injector together,” says John Zylstra, AESA Peace Region Conservation Coordinator. The size and weight of the equipment also created problems under wet soil conditions. “We believe these problems can be solved and this system will work well.”
In the early stage of this AESA project, father and son Gerben and David Bosma, hog producers located in the MD of Fairview, also decided to adopt the practice of liquid hog manure injection, building their own system. “They developed a slightly different system with swivel type coulters and parallel lift, and are now having good success,” says Zylstra.
This year the project is focusing on modifying the equipment so it will work better for applying manure through trash or stubble on the fields. They’re also trying to address the issue of additional wear and tear on machinery. “We’re working with adding coulters to the system to cut through the straw, which should help with the general overall performance of the system under variable weather conditions,” says Aldridge. Last fall the field conditions were so wet, the demonstrations had to be postponed.
“Local area hog producers continue to be interested in this project, and are committed to looking for ways to improve their nutrient management practices, such as reducing odors during application,” says Aldridge. “One area hog producer decided to try applying a temporary straw lagoon cover last year, and is pleased with the results,” says Aldridge. Soil testing remains an important component of manure management and is ongoing. Some of the local area hog producers have also completed Environmental Farm Plans.
“Producers are looking for ways to continually improve their operations, and many of the beneficial management practices (BMPs) they are using and demonstrating go beyond what they are expected to do,” says Zylstra. These same BMPs used to improve nutrient cycling and soil quality also reduce odors and greenhouse gases. Aldridge adds, “Through these efforts and demonstrations, local area producers are also improving relations with their neighbors and the general public.”
A demonstration day is planned for late September showing the latest modifications and success of the system. “We will be holding this demo day in partnership with Alberta Reduced Tillage LINKAGES (RTL), who has also provided investment into the project towards improvements in the system,” says Aldridge.
For more information, contact:
Gerard Aldridge at (780) 835-4903 or email: gerard@mdfairview.ab.ca
John Zylstra at (780) 835-7542 or email: john.zylstra@gov.ab.ca |
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