78 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » JC Slurry Spreading Farmers turn to bladder effluent storage Kelly Deeks As dairy farmers increasingly turn to bladder effluent storage and specialist contractors to manage slurry efficiently, JC Slurry Spreading in Te Puke is expanding to meet that need. JC Slurry Spreading owners James and Carla Wilton say the combination of rising use of effluent bladders and their new purpose-built tanker is making slurry management easier, faster, and more cost-effective for dairy farms across the wider Bay of Plenty from Opotiki to Waihi. “We’ve seen more farmers installing bladders for effluent storage,” James says. “And not as many operators who can empty them. That’s where our new tanker comes in.” Effluent bladders are flexible above-ground storage systems that keep effluent contained, reduce rainwater dilution, and retain nutrient value, and they are gaining popularity with New Zealand farmers as an effective alternative to traditional ponds and above-ground tanks. Farmers see improved safety, less odour, and better nutrient management as key benefits. James grew up on a farm and has always had a passion for machinery. When he and Carla took over the region’s longest-established slurry spreading business in 2014 and rebranded it as JC Slurry Spreading, they focused on delivering a personal owner/operator service that relieves farmers of complex effluent chores. “We can empty an effluent pond, lined tank, Klip tank, irrigation pond, and now bladders too,” James says. “Our new tanker was built for getting sludge out of bladders, and we designed and built it with Mount Engineering so it’s slightly smaller than an off-the-shelf option. That means smaller hoses and better access inside bladders.” The company’s service model brings all gear on one truck transporter, ready to go on arrival, removing the need for farmers to invest in their own pumping and spreading machinery. Using lay flat hoses up to 1100 m long, JC Slurry Spreading can reach across a wide variety of farm terrain, from flat paddocks to steep hillsides, and help rotate effluent application across the farm each service. This broad reach helps distribute nutrient-rich slurry more evenly, benefiting pasture and reducing concentrated applications. Stirring effluent ponds is part of the preparation for spreading, and the company uses pond stirrers including a new 10-metre model to agitate and break up heavier sludge before pumping. A safety cage around the stirrer allows effective emptying of lined and irrigation ponds, ensuring maximum sludge removal and helping farmers regain pond capacity. James says demand for bladder emptying is rising because more farms are adopting these systems for their effluent storage advantages. Bladders limit rainwater ingress that often plagues open ponds, making storage more predictable and creating a more nutrient-dense liquid for field spreading. Slurry tanker in action. “Most people we talk to are doing bladders now,” James says. “We got the tanker so we can get that sludge out of them. That’s our main focus, helping farmers make the most of their effluent.” JC Slurry Spreading has secured a solid stream of work this season as farmers look to clear out winter storage or prepare for the next pasture cycle. James says that having a purpose-built tanker tailored to local conditions has made all the difference to their operational capability. “We built it with the farmers in mind,” he says. “It’s designed to handle what they’re asking for, and that helps them spend less on equipment and more on running their farms.” In a sector where effluent is often described as “rocket fuel for grass” when applied correctly, effective storage and spreading services can transform a tricky farm task into a pasture-boosting resource. Proudly supporting JC Slurry Spreading For down to earth advice phone 06 348 2333 www.adeptaccountants.co.nz We are able to stir ponds, empty lined ponds, bladders, klip tanks, irrigation ponds over a variety of terrains with 1100 metres of lay at hose. Servicing the greater BOP area. James and CarlaWilton 021 303 620 www.jcslurryspreading.co.nz “We can empty an effluent pond, lined tank, Klip tank, irrigation pond, and now bladders too.”
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