Producers can limit their risk exposure to costly mistakes in manure application by finding a custom application company that has the experience and knowledge to responsibly complete the job. A professional in the industry would have the proper equipment for your dairy operation, the range of knowledge needed for success and the capacity to get the job done in a timely fashion.
Before selecting a custom applicator, there are a few cost considerations to ask yourself, as well as the potential company you hire.
Cost considerations and budget planning
Before you can find a custom applicator that meets your needs, you must establish what those needs are.
Your budget should be top of mind when considering outsourcing to application companies. Most custom applicators will charge by the gallon applied; however, not all gallons are created equally. The higher the application rate, the lower dollars per gallon is charged, especially in the case of dragline operations.
Surcharges are another consideration when researching custom applicators. Some applicators may bundle everything under one total cost, while others may provide a base fee with surcharges for things like constant agitation or extended distances. Fuel costs are a substantial expense for applicators as well as the logistics to manage fuel deliveries. For that reason, it is not uncommon for dairies to provide the application team fuel in exchange for a lower rate.
Have an acceptable budget range in mind when exploring options for custom applicators.
Ensuring potential applicators have the proper equipment
Your manure storage type will come into consideration when selecting a custom application company.
If you have a large manure lagoon, you may need to find a company with a floating agitator or agitation boat. Smaller lagoons will need at least a lagoon stick, and barns will need a truck or trailer with a hydraulic boom. Have your manure storage dimensions on hand when talking to potential applicators to ensure that their agitation equipment can reach the source.
Once agitated, the transportation method from site to field is another consideration to ask potential applicators about.
Dragline and manure tanks are the most popular forms of liquid manure transfer, and each has its benefits. Choosing one transfer method over the other is dependent upon your unique situation at each job. The window of time the application company has to transfer and apply manure can be a deciding factor when considering the transfer method. Tank operations take longer to complete with less gallons applied per hour compared to dragline, and that efficiency drastically decreases as the distance manure is transported increases.
Assume the application crew is working 12-hour days and applying manure within 2 miles of your site. In Table 1, dragline manure application can be three times more efficient and profitable compared to tanker operations. This greater efficiency becomes more obvious as more gallons are applied, particularly after reaching the 20-million-gallon mark. However, in some cases of long distances, a dragline applicator may not have enough hose to apply the distance needed. In those cases, tankers or semi-transfer options are all that is available.
Another piece of manure application equipment to inquire about is the tillage on the application toolbar. The tillage depth is important for dairy manure, as deep, aggressive tillage is the recommended best practice. The ideal manure injection depth for dairy slurry is around 4 to 8 inches deep, which is still within reach of the root structure of the crops. The aggressive tillage ensures your manure – and the valuable nutrients – stay in place until crops are planted and can take hold. Inefficient tillage may lead to a greater nutrient loss or cause additional nutrient runoff. Professional applicators should know to use the proper equipment (Figure 1) when working in different regions and different animal waste.
Breadth of knowledge of potential applicators
The experience and skill of a potential hire can be a major factor with something as important as manure application. An applicator has to know the region’s laws and regulations, in addition to being familiar with the ground conditions. The owner or manager’s level of experience is just the tip of the iceberg; how they train their employees is vital to the success and efficiency of an operation. Ask about a company’s training program and continuing education when searching for the right custom applicator. In addition to getting the job done correctly, training ensures the work is done safely for both the people involved and the environment.
Gauging the efficiency of potential applicators
Finding a professional applicator that meets your operation’s needs doesn’t guarantee that they can work with you. In most regions of North America, custom applicators primarily work in the spring and fall seasons. This limited timeline may be challenging if a company takes on more work than they can handle before planting or ground freeze.
If the application company has the capacity to add your operation to their season’s pumping schedule, you also need to inquire about the estimated time to complete the job. Depending on the size of the manure source, fields and crew members available, it may take more than a week to empty your manure storage. An experienced manager or owner will have an estimate based on those factors.
The larger your dairy is, the earlier you will want to find a custom applicator, as it will be harder to find a company that can fit your operation into the schedule. Working with a professional to plan your manure management practices can pay off immensely, especially when done well in advance. Finding a good custom application company this year will save you time searching in the future seasons.
