Farm-Scape, Episode 1592

New technology being developed by the University of Saskatchewan will allow the direct injection of any type of solid or semi solid livestock manure fertilizer into the soil.

Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan expect to be ready to start testing a second generation prototype solid and semi solid livestock manure injector this fall.

The implement, which uses four transverse screw conveyers for uniform distribution of material and a hydraulically operated metering gate to control the amount of material discharged, is being fitted with tools that will allow for direct injection.

College of Engineering Dean Dr. Claude Lague says the system can accommodate any type of solid manure.

"We're basically looking at any type of manure that would contain more than ten to 15 percent of solid materials which would prevent it from being handled with liquid manure handling equipment.

It can be manure coming from dairy operations, it can be manure coming from beef feedlots, it can be manure coming from sheep operations.

It could be composted manure as well because compost has more than 15 percent solids. It could be separated solids, for example, coming from a swine operations where you would have a solid liquid separator.

Since we're working with a lot of different materials, the chemical composition varies quite a lot. The N, P, K, could vary quite significantly across those different types of material, which is why it's important to have equipment that is capable of controlling your applications rates so that you have very good control on the amounts of N, P, K, for example, you're applying on the land."

Dr. Lague says the implement is designed to maintain uniformity of product, ensure even distribution across the field and allow for different means of application.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.