News
Draghose demonstration set for April 15 in California
April 14, 2009 by Western United Dairymen
April 13, 2009, Hilmar, Calif. – A demonstration of draghose injection technology is set for April 15 in Hilmar, Calif.
April 13, 2009, Hilmar, Calif. – A demonstration of draghose injection technology is set for April 15 in Hilmar, Calif.
The demonstration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Dairy Central, 6626 Central Avenue, Hilmar, Calif., followed by a tillage application at 24851 Swenson Road, Hilmar, Calif.
The demonstration is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant. Project collaborators are Hydro Engineering Inc., Sustainable Conservation and The Source Group Inc.
Draghose injection technology is relatively new to California and is currently being evaluated as a potential alternative to current surface application methods for manure. With draghose systems, manure is incorporated in the soil at the same time it is land applied, thereby eliminating a tillage operation. Immediate incorporation reduces nitrogen losses, improves soil quality, reduces runoff and significantly limits odor associated with land application of manure. An advantage of this system is that manure nutrients are applied at the root zone to more closely match crop needs, say proponents.
This specific application involves pumping of manure slurry with relatively high solids from a 1,200 cow dairy using the dry scrape method of collection via a pump and a six-inch diameter hose a distance of 1.7 miles to approximately 500 acres of corn fields using specially designed injectors immediately prior to planting.
