Field Trial Protocol
Field Trial Protocol ProBio-FarmAid Field Trial: The advantages of treated dairy farm collected and stored effluent.
The Product
ProBio-FarmAid is a blend of bacteria, yeast and fungi formulated with stabilised enzymes, metabolic accelerators and absorbents in a soluble powder form. It is easily reconstituted in water for dosage application to farm effluent ponds.
Trial Objectives
To statistically measure and record the following:
- Any increase in nutrient value of treated effluent. The nutrient uptake and stimulation of plant growth in contrast to untreated effluent when applied to pasture as a fertiliser.
- To observe and record the chemical changes in the composition of the treated/untreated effluent at the point in time of application on to pasture.
- To observe and record changes in the environmental and handling characteristics of the treated/untreated effluent ponds.
Methodology
Selection of two dairy farm properties with similar effluent pond sizes, quantity of effluent generated and application practices for spraying stored effluent on to pasture.
Ideally the properties will be located within a five kilometer radius of each other, have the same soil types, fertiliser history and similar pasture species.
Property 1. will have its effluent ponds treated with ProBio-FarmAid.
Property 2. effluent ponds will be the control. All sampling, measuring and testing will be carried out identically and in the same time frame on each property.
Time Line
| Day | Activity |
| 1 | Sampling of untreated stored effluent on both farms to establish a base line on the chemical/microbiological profile of the effluent. (sampling protocols set out in appendix 1.) |
| 2 | Dosing of Farm.1 effluent ponds with the product as per the formulation. |
| 14 | Measurement of pasture cover and soil sampling of designated paddocks on both farms which are to receive spray applications of effluent. (appendix 2) |
| 15 | Sampling of treated/untreated stored effluent on both farms. Application of treated/untreated effluent on both farms sprayed on to designated paddocks at the rates specified. |
| 21 | Visual observation and photographing of effluent treated paddocks on both farms. Measurement and soil sampling as per day 14 |
| 30 | Collation and presentation of trial data generated. |
 |
 |
|
| Effluent Pond | Effluent Distribution |
Mitchell Partners
09/10/2011
Appendix 1 : Sampling of Effluent
WaterCare Laboratory Services, 52 Aintree Ave, Mangere, Auckland. will carry out testing of effluent samples for the Dairy Effluent Profile, as per their Quotation Reference 2110, to Environmental Bio-Solutions of NZ Ltd.
Methodology
1. Sample containers required 100 mL Round Polyethylene Bottle. Natural Colour. Sulfuric Acid preservative. Required Volume: 10 ml 2 x 100 mL Round Polyethylene Bottles. Natural Colour. Nitric Acid preservative. Required Volume: 120 ml
2. Sampling
A composite sample of effluent will be drawn from the relief valve on the effluent pump during pumping out of the pond, before and after introduction of the ProBio cultures. The samples will be taken at approximately 30%. 50% and 70% of the pump out operation. These samples will be combined and thoroughly mixed from which the WaterCare sample containers will be filled to their individual required volumes.
Note: The control effluent pond will have the identical sampling proceedure, but without the addition of the ProBio cultures.
3. Despatch of Sample Containers
All Effluent Samples will be couried direct, ‘Same Day Courier’ to WaterCare Laboratories, 52 Aintree Ave. Mangere, Auckland 2022.
4. Tests required.
Dairy Effluent Profile.
Tests:
- Total Nitrogen on liquids by flow analysis (after Persulphate Digestion).
- Total Metals on liquids by ICPMS-Screen level with Digest-Calcium.
- Total Metals on liquids by ICPMS_Screen level with Digest-Magnesium.
- Total Metals on liquids by ICPMS-Screen level with Digest-Potassium.
- Total Metals on liquids by ICPMS-Screen level with Digest-Sodium.
- Total Metals on liquids by ICPMS-Screen level with Digest-Phosphorus.
- Total Metals on liquids by ICPMS-Screen level with Digest-Sulfur.
Appendix 2: Soil Sampling
Altum, Nutrition for Growth, 161 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui. 3116. (part of the ‘Balance Group’ of companies) will carry out the taking of soil samples on both properties and arrange for testing and analysis by Hill Laboratories, Hamilton.
Methodology
- Sample containers required Altum provide the samle containers as part of the soil sampling service they provide.
- Required volume A composite sample of 500 grams is collected from each paddock set aside for effluent application.
- Sampling
A series of up to 25 individual core samples are collected spaced over the set aside paddocks. Samples are taken with a standard 75mm x 25mm core sampling tool. Samples are then thoroughly mixed and a composite sample drawn from the mix. The samples are placed in a cool box with refrigerant packs to maintain a temperature of between 5 to 10 degrees C. - Despatch of Sample containers Samples are delivered to Hill Laboratories, Hamilton on the same day as collected by the Altum Sales Consultant.
- Tests required.
Dairy Effluent screen for Mineral Nitrogen and Total Nitrogen (see attached notes).
Appendix 3:Measurement of Pasture Cover
Pasture cover will be both photographed and measured with a plate meter calibrated by the manufacturers agent.
Measurements were taken before and after application of effluent on the designated paddocks on both properties. A collation of data collected follows.
Pasture cover measurements before effluent applications expressed as kilograms of dry matter per hectare.
21st March 2012.
Houghton paddock W22 2460 Kg/ha
Bradstreet paddock W8 1400 Kg/ha
Pasture cover measurements after effluent application at a rate of 13mls over the sample area.
3rd April 2012
Houghton paddock W22 3790 Kg/ha
Bradstreet paddock W 8 2362 Kg/ha
Note: Houghton W22 had an increase of pasture growth of 95 Kg/ha per day (1330 Kg/ha total) and the effluent had received Pro-Bio treatment for 14 days. Bradstreet W8 had an increase of pasture growth of 68 Kg/ha per day (962 Kg/ha total) and was the control.
Appendix 4: Selection and description of dairy farm
properties selected for the trial.
Two properties were selected which are adjoining neighbours in the Pukeatua district. They both have similar size milking platforms, herd size and effluent ponds with pump out systems.
Property 1.
Bendale Dairies (Houghton Family) Waimanu Road, RD.1. Pukeatua. Total area farmed 140 hectares. Herd size 450 cows. Effluent pond size 1500 cubic meters. Average daily effluent input .7 cubic meters. Effluent application by travelling spray unit and fixed blah irrigator.
Property 2.
RH & M Bradstreet, Waimanu Road RD.1. Pukeatua. Total area farmed 160 hectares. Herd size 450 cows. Efluent pond size 1700 cubic meters. Average daily effluent input 5 cubic meters. Effluent application by fixed and portable spray irrigation points.
Property 1. received the prescribed effluent pond dosing with the pro-bio product.
Property 2. was the control.
Appendix 5: Time line of pond dosing and sample
testing of effluent and paddocks
Property 1.
7th March 2012
Effluent pond sampled prior to dosing with Pro-Bio product. (see attached copy of Watercare Laboratorys Certificate of Analysis).
8th March 2012
Dosing with Pro-Bio product commenced. (see appendix 6 for dosing rate and schedule).
21st March 2012
Effluent pond sampling after 14days of Pro-Bio product application and soil sampling of paddock W22 before application of treated effluent (see attached Certificate of Analysis from Watercare and Hill Laboratories)
3rd April 2012
Soil sampling of paddock W22 14 days after application of treated effluent (see attached Certificate of Analysis from Hill Laboratories).
Property 2.
21st March 2012 Effluent pond sampling and soil sampling of paddock W8 before application of untreated effluent (see attached Certificate of Analysis from Watercare and Hill Laboratories)
3rd April 2012
Soil sampling of paddock W8 14 days aftter application of untreated effluent (see attached Certificate of Analysis from Hill Laboratories)
Note: Simultaneous pasture growth measurements on both properties were carried in conjunction with soil sampling of the designated paddocks.
Pasture Growth Measurements
Timeline
March 21st 2012 : pre-application of effluent
April 3rd 2012 : post-application of effluent
April 11th 2012 : post application of effluent
Application rate of effluent over both paddocks 13mls.
Results
Houghton W22: pasture growth. 1421 Kg/ha over 14 days = 95 Kg/ha/day.
Bradstreet W8: pasture growth. 1284 Kg/ha over 14 days= 69Kg/ha/day.
| March 23/2012 | April 3/2012 | April 11/2012 | |
| Houghton W22 | 2460 Kg/ha | 3790 Kg/ha | 3951 Kg/ha |
| Bradstreet W8 | 1400 Kg/ha | 2362 Kg/ha | 2684 Kg/ha |
Note: Houghton effluent pond treated with Pro-Bio from 21st March. Bradstreet effluent was the control.