Effluent Management

Effluent management is an important part of any dairy farm business. Good effluent management has a number of benefits both on and off the farm including:

Saving money on bought-in fertiliser
Soil conditioning properties from the organic matter
Improved soil moisture holding capacity
Improved nutrient holding capacity
Productivity gains from pasture responses

A series of short video clips explaining key aspects of effluent management is available from the Dairying for Tomorrow website. Each video has an accompanying printable fact sheet summarising the video topic and providing references for further reading or information on the topic.

More information

The Effluent and Manure Management Database for the Australian Dairy Industry website has reliable and scientifically validated technical information on dairy effluent management adaptable to all dairying regions in Australia. This database stores information that underpins state and regional guidelines on dairy effluent management, technical and farmer-based extension programs and educational material.

It includes advice for:

On-farm effluent designs
Principles for effective effluent management
Design criteria for components of effluent containment and reuse systems
Decision support systems and relevant tools

Agriculture Victoria maintains a directory of accredited private sector providers who provide effluent design services for dairy farmers.

Nutrients from effluent and sludge provide a valuable source of nutrients and organic carbon. Visit the Dairying for Tomorrow website for further information and to access the nutrients from effluent and sludge calculator.

Tasmanian effluent advice, services and contacts

For Tasmanian Effluent Code of Practice and regulatory requirements, contact the Tasmanian Dairy Industry Authority (TDIA)

For technical assistance with design of effluent systems, contact the accredited effluent designers below. There is no legal requirement to use one of these designers, but they have completed the industry training and have access to the Effluent Design Toolkit software, which is useful for correctly sizing storages, stone traps and other design features.

Accredited effluent designers

Current at April 2020
Please contact designers directly for quotes. Most work state-wide.

Robin Badcock, based in central north, 0418 133 737 (certified irrigation designer)
Alistair Brooks, Pinion Advisory, based in south, 0438 476 215
James Curran, Pinion Advisory, based in north, 0407 622 483 (certified irrigation designer)
Sam Dingemanse, CBM, 03 6332 6988
Ryan Francis, Pinion Advisory, based in north, 0429 862 227
Laurie Hooper, AgriTech, based in north-west, 0418 560 417
Blair Murray, Water Dynamics, 0490 940 497
Greg Poke, Irrigation and Dairy Solutions 0417 414 685
Peter Poke, Smithton, 0427 522 291 (accredited building designer)

Machinery contractors

Contractors with slurry tankers:

Jack Murrell, 0437 150 112
Joss Millwood, 0409 528 225 (NE based, available statewide)

Contractors with muck spreaders:

Kris Davis, 0428 561 386 (Marrawah to Burnie)
Michael Nichols, 0409 451 430, (Woolnorth to Deloraine)
Adam McCulloch, 0432 843 488
Jack Murrell, 0437 150 112

Fert$mart

Farm profitability and sustainability starts with best use of nutrients from fertiliser and effluent. Dairy Australia's Fert$mart project has Tasmanian-specific information and guidelines, including: