NZ Dairy Winter 2021

124 | nz dairy Innovative effluent system worry-free Richard Loader A unique and innovative effluent system creat- ed and developed by Taupo-based company, Total Effluent and Dairy, (TED) is creating efficiencies and peace of mind for farmers. Established in 1995, TED is headed by Trevor Horn who is the inventor of the improved effluent system which he first developed 10 years ago. Sales and marketing manager Campbell Horn, Trevor’s son, brings valuable environmental degree level and compliance qualifications to the busi- ness. He is also a certified dairy effluent warrant of fitness assessor. TED’s effluent system is based on a gravity-fed design which eliminates the need for pumps; these are often the Achilles heel of conventional systems when there is a failure, Campbell says. Because the pond is fully drainable from the bottom it doesn’t need stirrers. This saves on the cost of the equipment, eliminates the possibility of tearing the pond liner in the event of a stirrer malfunctioning and saves electricity. Having an irrigation line drawing effluent from the bottom of the pond also means more organic matter and nutrients are captured for distribution on paddocks compared to a conventional system, Campbell says. “It’s a very simple system to manage. You can go away for the weekend and you don’t have to worry about a thing, you don’t have to worry about overflows. “Everything has overflows into the main holding system in case there’s an unexpected weather event.” Pumps have been the cause of some very costly prosecutions when they have broken down, Campbell says. TED are typically building 6-10 of its effluent systems of various sizes each year, with the larg- est storage pond to date being 100 metres by 70 metres with a 17 million litre capacity. While an effluent system involves a significant capital outlay, the benefits of a well-designed system are also significant and last for many years, Campbell says. “The benefits are noticeable. You’ve got to look at the effluent as fertiliser. If you apply it at the right rate you can reduce your (artificial) fertiliser bill which is positive for the environment.” Effluent is also an excellent source of water stor- age during dry periods. “They can irrigate longer over the summer at low rates, which is obviously going to benefit them over the winter because they’ve been able to grow more grass.” Campbell’s brother Nathan handles TED’s in-shed feed systems which are also in strong demand, along with feed pads. Campbell says feed pads create benefits as pasture and environmental management tools, something that fits well with TED’s business vision of engineering a greener future. Total package: Taupo based Total Effluent & Dairy (TED) built everything in the image above, from the cow shed, feed pad and effluent system, through to the earthworks, engineering and concrete placement. Effluent containment system (below) includes effluent pond, pumping sump sand trap and fibre drying bunker. DAIRY SERVICES » Total Effluent & Dairy Another advantage of in-shed feed systems and feed pads is the more even distribution of feed to all cows. “Obviously you’re reducing your environmental impacts also. By feeding in paddocks you’ve got all that leaching and a concentrated area of pugging.” TED also undertakes full earthworks and farm race maintenance as well as specialising in the manufacture of a large variety of quality farming equipment such as levelling bars, quick hitches, feed pad scrapers and rut fillers and as well as general repairs which can be carried out on site. “It’s a very simple system to manage. You can go away for the weekend and you don’t have to worry about a thing, you don’t have to worry about overflows. Everything has overflows into the main holding system in case there’s an unexpected weather event.” • HDPE outperforms the rest • Seams welded and tested • 20 year HDPE warranty Proud to support Talk to us today for a damn good job Total Effluent & Dairy We line ponds with HDPE... Get it right the first time! admin@actionelectrical.co.nz TE KUITI Ph. 07 878 5169 8 Seddon St OTOROHANGA Ph. 07 873 6385 37 Manuka Street TAUPO Ph. 07 3788545 Proud to support Total E uent & Dairy