StoreSmart is about managing muck, slurry and dirty water that is generated on the farm. The new NVZ regulations require (typically) 5 months slurry storage capacity. Which for some dairy farms will be a significant  size and a major capital investment.  If we look at what a typical slurry lagoon contains:

• 38% Excreta
• Rainfall on the store 8%
• Yard run-off 25%
• Parlour washings 25%
  

...we can see that over 60% is water! Many slurry pits have significantly more water content. Now we know we need to collect dirty water and that if using an umbilical cord system need a certain amount of dilution, but by managing the water entering the store we can perhaps we can increase the storage capacity.

The Golden Rule is to avoid collecting 'clean' water. A simple thing like repairing a roof gutter or downspout could increase storage by a week and reduce the number of vacci tanks loads by 5 - 6.

MuckSmart workshop participants can have a free assessment of their slurry pit water content and NVZ storage capacity assessment.

Increase storage capacity through management of each of these.

• Consider alternative bedding for some stock - extending grazing?
• Cover lagoon, yards and clamps in high rainfall areas.
• Fix gutters, water troughs, divert clean water.
• Check hose rates and volumes - can they be reduced
• Re-use plate cooler water saves about £3,500 per 100 cows per year.
• Reduce hose down time by 5 minutes per milking and SAVE  £1300 per year.
• Fix a gutter on a shed and SAVE  £600 per year.
• Result less "clean" water in lagoon = more storage capacity.