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New microbial culture revives “dead” ponds

A new microbial culture that helps to create and maintain a balanced microbial population is breathing new life into otherwise “dead” effluent ponds on dairy farms and other livestock enterprises.

Called BioAg Digest-it® for Dairies, the product delivers a source of dormant aerobic bacteria and a rich food source for microbes, thereby stimulating microbial digestion of organic matter in effluent ponds.

Following an initial treatment to the pond and then added in small amounts to the “wash down” solution every day, it produces noticeable changes in the physical appearance and chemical composition of effluent within weeks.

BioAg Business Manager – Animal Production, Martin Preuss, said effluent management was a growing concern on many Australian dairy farms due to increased herd size, urban encroachment and environmental scrutiny.

“Many older single-pond systems are now incapable of handling the volumes of effluent created by larger herd sizes or the build-up of sludge,” he said.

“Non-performing ponds are instantly recognisable by the presence of persistent surface crusting and their pervasive odour.

“This is due to the depletion of oxygen in the water, which combined with lack of sunlight, reduces the population of beneficial aerobic microbes and the digestion of effluent.

“Conversely, the build-up of anaerobic bacteria can lead to an increase in the production of rotten egg gas and the horrible smell associated with non-functioning ponds.”

Mr Preuss said the performance of BioAg Digest-it® for Dairies had been thoroughly evaluated via 12 on-farm demonstration trials conducted throughout Victoria last spring.

“In every one of these cases, BioAg Digest-it® for Dairies produced dramatic changes in the physical appearance and general functioning of the pond within four to six weeks of treatment,” he said.

“The most obvious change is that the surface crust breaks apart and then dissolves.

“Increased microbial activity can be recognised by bubbling due to the formation of carbon dioxide as solids are digested.

“Once the microbial population becomes stabilised, large clumps of solids are released from the bottom of the pond and rise to the surface, where they are digested.

“Ultimately, the water becomes clearer as the level of suspended solids declines.

“More importantly, there is reduced odour, providing a more pleasant environment for workers, family and neighbours.

“In the longer term, BioAg Digest-it® for Dairies helps to turn effluent into a valuable and useable source of plant-available nutrients for pastures and well as reducing the need for desludging.”

BioAg is Australia’s leading source of biological solutions for agriculture.

The company’s range of “biologically-active” solid and liquid nutrients improve the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural production and are suitable for use in a wide range of cropping, grazing and horticultural situations.

The BioAg approach has already been adopted by hundreds of Australian farmers and is being trialled by a number of independent agricultural organisations.