Effluent Storage Calculator
Accredited Effluent Storage Calculations & Design
Here at Effluent & Irrigation, we can help calculate and design solutions for your effluent storage needs.
The industry standard for determining dairy effluent storage requirements for an individual dairy farm is using the Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator.
It is a very robust tool developed by Massey University and with other professional industry input. It works by looking at a farm’s inputs such as soil type (risk), catchment areas, feed-pads, water use, rainfall, irrigation capability, etc.
Storage requirements in the past have been a confusing topic for some. Before the calculator was developed there were recommendations in certain regions for ‘90 days’ storage, which was then assumed to be the case in other areas. The fact is every farm is different. Soil types can vary dramatically across a region. It's important to make sure you have a well-thought-out accredited calculation completed when investing in storage infrastructure. Having this on record will also ensure the facility is fit for purpose into the future.
Contact us if you would like a quote to calculate or design solutions for your effluent storage needs.
Soil Risk Verification
Out in the paddock is where it all starts with effluent design. Soil type plays a key part in determining the land’s ability to absorb effluent and keep it in the root zone. This is how nutrient retention (and utilisation) can be maximised and creating the best farm practice.
In the storage calculator, the soil is split into ‘low’ or ‘high’ risk. It’s important to get this right as it will have a significant impact on the storage calculation and effluent design. The national soil mapping database will show the effluent risk for some areas. This is generally used as a guideline only – the information isn’t always an accurate up to date reflection of the soil on site.
Soils can vary across an area and there may be both high and low-risk soil types on the same property. There is an accredited process we follow to assess the soil characteristics, including the infiltration rate on site. This allows us to verify the different soil types, assess what are most suitable for effluent application, and ensure we get the risk profile right.
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Effluent and Irrigation DesignTM provide an independent consultancy service that analyses your specific farming needs & current process to design the ideal system to suit your land and the way you farm.