Finding the optimum forward speed when spreading slurry

As more farmers move to using Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) technologies, finding the most appropriate forward speed is necessary to ensure slurry is applied at the correct rate.

Along with only applying during the permitted spreading periods and when ground and weather conditions are suitable, matching slurry application rate to the growth rate of either grass or crops is important to prevent nutrient losses to water. Where excess nutrients are applied over and above crop requirements, excess nutrients run the risk of being lost through the drainage network or leached to ground water.

As farmers transition from splash plate to LESS – either dribble bar or trailing shoe – the forward speed of the tractor, in a lot of cases, will need to be increased considerably in order to maintain the same application rate as the splash plate. To avoid this becoming a guessing game and to assist farmers and agricultural contractors to find the most appropriate forward speed, Teagasc has an online calibration calculator available which will work with all types of slurry tankers.

The calculator is easy to use and will work on your mobile phone. You simply need to adjust a number of sliders on the calculator to input your spreading details and the calculator will give you the forward speed required.

To use the calculator you will need to time how long it takes to empty the first load of slurry. Once you have this information then you can input other information such as the tank size, the working width and the desired application rate. Once you have set the sliders to match your spreading details then you can read off the forward speed needed.

Access the Teagasc Slurry Calibration Tool here.

Also read: Focus on ground conditions and weather before spreading slurry