Case study
Effluent samples from owners farm, southern Tasmania
| Laboratory results | Pre treatment 12 Dec 2007 |
Post treatment 2 Apr 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Kjeidahl Nitrogen (mg/L) |
150 | 250 |
| Nitrate Nitrogen (mg/L) |
1.5 | 1.4 |
| Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L) |
78 | 180 |
| Total Phosphate (mg/L) |
47 | 53 |
| Phosphate Phosphorous (mg/L) |
46 | 52 |
You will note the readily available for of nitrogen (Ammonia Nitrogen) has more than doubled and the total phosphates have also risen. Basically what we are seeing is a transfer of nutrients that are usually trapped in the first pond through to the second pond in a very readily available form.
The industry standard is about 50 litres used as washdown per cow per day. So the maths applicable to your farm is relatively easy.
It has to be stressed this was the results achieved on this farm and may vary on yours depending on loading levels.
Three months post initial treatment.