Pros and cons of investing in a slurry tank.

20silkcut · 21-02-2013 01:38PM #1

In terms of stock numbers I am nowhere near the critical mass for even a small vacuum tanker. However with the price of fertiliser and high cost of getting a contractor to spread for you I am contemplating it.
I am selling approx 30 acres of silage off the stem this year so will be using a fair bit of fertiliser.
I am within a mile of a piggery farm from which I could draw the slurry.
What advice would ye give me?

Dunedin · 21-02-2013 01:43PM

20silkcut wrote: »

In terms of stock numbers I am nowhere near the critical mass for even a small vacuum tanker. However with the price of fertiliser and high cost of getting a contractor to spread for you I am contemplating it.
I am selling approx 30 acres of silage off the stem this year so will be using a fair bit of fertiliser.
I am within a mile of a piggery farm from which I could draw the slurry.
What advice would ye give me?

you will never regret buying a slurry tank - if you can afford one, buy one.

21-02-2013 02:09PM

20silkcut wrote: »

In terms of stock numbers I am nowhere near the critical mass for even a small vacuum tanker. However with the price of fertiliser and high cost of getting a contractor to spread for you I am contemplating it.
I am selling approx 30 acres of silage off the stem this year so will be using a fair bit of fertiliser.
I am within a mile of a piggery farm from which I could draw the slurry.
What advice would ye give me?

what sort of number do you have and what acreage?
Slurry is valuable stuff but the big downside is the time it takes to spread it!
We're ringfenced and it takes 12-18mins to cycle time with our 1000G.
We have a contractor spread it as we farm by evening and weekends and he has a big tanker and will shift a serious amount in a very short time. I doubt it would save us much spreading ourselves but our little tank is still handy to have around.

Also you will have to sign for any slurry imported before you spread it. so if the weather goes against you your kinda caught.

That all said a 1000Gallon tanker is very handy to have!

Make sure you do the sums!

pakalasa · 21-02-2013 02:21PM

Get a full grasp of the costs involved first. A starting point might be to get a price from a contractor per load to do the job and take 70% (or whatever) as a cost to you if you had your own tanker. Multiply by the number of loads will you spread per year. Go with the cheaper option.

yellow50HX · 21-02-2013 02:23PM

the idea has been rattling around in my head too for a while but like the OP i dont think i'm in the postion to get one yet.

we have a 4 bay slatted tank, empty it twice a year (spring and anything left in it in authunm). have a local contractor who does the agiting and spreading with a big 10kltr tank and 150hp tractor.

at the mo, i reackon my tractor would easily pull a 1300gal tank but it would take twice as long as the cotractor (or more) so a 1600gal would proably be better, (neighbour has a 1100gal tanker and reckons he'd put it out faster with a bucket). The tractor is 2wd so there is an obivous drawback there when trying to get through wet gaps and headlands. Also i'd need to get a agitator.

so at the mo to make it senseabile for me as a part time farmer to do my own i'd need to upgrade the tractor (say +15k), get an agtitor (+4k) and get a decent 1600gal tanker (plus 7k). id be looking at an approx 25k outlay.

i think i'll might start by a geeting a peice at a time.

F.D · 21-02-2013 02:55PM

Heres my point of view..... Ask the contractor to come, he usually comes a few days later when its bulling rain, or your hounding him to make sure your top of the list because everyone is on to him the same day
we only have an 1100 gal tank its for drinking water for cattle and too small besides, i borrow my relations but the same problem applies there using there own when i want it, so i can expect them to give it to me, so long story short i will be buying one on the simple fact i can hitch up and spread a few loads every evening when i get home weather permitting and i know i will get my P&K's back up where required without all the expense of compound fertilizer

just do it · 21-02-2013 03:24PM

yellow50HX wrote: »

the idea has been rattling around in my head too for a while but like the OP i dont think i'm in the postion to get one yet.

we have a 4 bay slatted tank, empty it twice a year (spring and anything left in it in authunm). have a local contractor who does the agiting and spreading with a big 10kltr tank and 150hp tractor.

at the mo, i reackon my tractor would easily pull a 1300gal tank but it would take twice as long as the cotractor (or more) so a 1600gal would proably be better, (neighbour has a 1100gal tanker and reckons he'd put it out faster with a bucket). The tractor is 2wd so there is an obivous drawback there when trying to get through wet gaps and headlands. Also i'd need to get a agitator.
Like you
so at the mo to make it senseabile for me as a part time farmer to do my own i'd need to upgrade the tractor (say +15k), get an agtitor (+4k) and get a decent 1600gal tanker (plus 7k). id be looking at an approx 25k outlay.

i think i'll might start by a geeting a peice at a time.

I've the same size shed and empty like you do. Last year the cattle were in alot so there was more slurry than a normal year. The contractor spent 24hrs in total either agitating or spreading. Whilst I can't recall what he charged per hour lets go with €45. So his annual charge is €1,080.

Like you I'd have to upgrade tractor etc. At €25k plus maintenance and fuel costs it just doesn't make sense.

vanderbadger · 21-02-2013 04:01PM

we used to manage with one tractor a 7211 for years, that for agitating and spreading, tank on and draw water, agitator on and start to agitate, realise you need more water so agitator off and tank on and more water:rolleyes:

you dont need to have massive machinery to manage it, and 1100 gallon tank will do the job away no prob
slurry is a slurry though, a pain in the ass of a job
if your contractor is doing a good job and not robbing you leave him at it

bob charles · 21-02-2013 04:42PM

im going in the opposite direction and thinking of getting the contractor in to do the spreading. its boring days on end drawing out of tanks and thats using a 2250gls. either that or buy a trailing shoe and be spreading slurry in the sunshine

grazeaway · 21-02-2013 05:03PM

bob charles wrote: »

im going in the opposite direction and thinking of getting the contractor in to do the spreading. its boring days on end drawing out of tanks and thats using a 2250gls. either that or buy a trailing shoe and be spreading slurry in the sunshine

poor bob, you need to get a decent radio on the tractor to pass away the time.

that said the in-laws use a trailing shoe jobbie on the contient to put out the slurry durign the summer. They actually put it out on corn at leaf stage. big machine too, thier contactor has a 25kltr 3 axel tank and a 300hp tractor. makes things a lot easier for them too as rathe then spreading for a few weeks in spring during the sowing season they can spresad through the spring and summer. what they say is you dont want any blockages from stones or clumps of sliage or straw.

delaval · 21-02-2013 08:41PM

These are the values of slurry
Soiled water n4-p0.7-k5 value €5/1000gls
Cattle slurry splashplate spring 6-5-38 value €24/100 gls : summer 3-5-38 Trailing shoe +3 units N/1000gls €26/1000 gls
Pig 19-7-20 €28/1000gls
FYM 3-2.5-12 €0/tonne

Your own spreader marginal imo., but that said you can spread when you please. You mentioned an agitator personally I would not have one around here. It is usually at this stage of the slurry chore that accidents happen and it's good to have another person around at this stage.

yellow50HX · 21-02-2013 08:44PM

delaval wrote: »

These are the values of slurry
Soiled water n4-p0.7-k5 value €5/1000gls
Cattle slurry splashplate spring 6-5-38 value €24/100 gls : summer 3-5-38 Trailing shoe +3 units N/1000gls €26/1000 gls
Pig 19-7-20 €28/1000gls
FYM 3-2.5-12 €0/tonne

Your own spreader marginal imo., but that said you can spread when you please. You mentioned an agitator personally I would not have one around here. It is usually at this stage of the slurry chore that accidents happen and it's good to have another person around at this stage.

You'd end up waiting for your contractor to agitate the slurry .

delaval · 21-02-2013 08:46PM

yellow50HX wrote: »

You'd end up waiting for your contractor to agitate the slurry .

Agreed, Ijust have a mental block about those machines:o:o

yellow50HX · 21-02-2013 08:58PM

delaval wrote: »

Agreed, Ijust have a mental block about those machines:o:o

I'd be more likely to get an agitator then a tank, I could give it a stir once a month over the winter so it would be easier to have it ready for spreading come feb time

delaval · 21-02-2013 09:03PM

yellow50HX wrote: »

I'd be more likely to get an agitator then a tank, I could give it a stir once a month over the winter so it would be easier to have it ready for spreading come feb time

How do the aerators fitted in the tank work and do they save agitation?

rs8 · 21-02-2013 09:18PM

20silkcut what tractor do u have?

i agree with the lads you will spend 25k at least to buy a few yokes to do it right and in as less possible time!

if you had a tractor tat could pull 1750 g plus tanker your on the right track, pig slurry is great stuff and will put down your fert bill

at the same time if you could only afford a 1100g tanker i dont think it would be worth it with a 2 mile round trip to pigery

yellow50HX · 21-02-2013 09:19PM

delaval wrote: »

How do the aerators fitted in the tank work and do they save agitation?

Need to be used every night, lad near here has it, he has dairy so will have dairy washings going in every day. Puts it on the night rate esb, but has a back up generator had the power for a few days last winter and he system couldn't shift it after a few days down. Probably not the job for beef units.

Arrow in the Knee · 21-02-2013 09:22PM

Con:
You'll have the neighbours coming round look for the slurry tank for spreading and they would end up having it on the back of their tractor for weeks when you actually need it!

just do it · 21-02-2013 09:39PM

On a broader note I've really gone away from machinery as I think unless you've a big enough operation it's a waste of money. I've a MF165 bought for €3,200 in 2007 and a few small bits and pieces for it i.e. bale handler, transport box, wagtail spreader, roller, chain harrow. Whilst every so often I dream of a better tractor I just can't justify it financially. On a cost benefit analysis getting a contractor in with the best of gear wins out every time. Not to mention the time saving. What he'll do in 5 hours will take me 10hrs.

There's loads of lads in my area now so getting some one on a given day usually isn't a problem. One way to ensure they come on the day you want them is to pay them on the day. Money talks.

grazeaway · 21-02-2013 09:39PM

Arrow in the Knee wrote: »

Con:
You'll have the neighbours coming round look for the slurry tank for spreading and they would end up having it on the back of their tractor for weeks when you actually need it!

Had at same problem with my relative and a sprayer, was gone for a quick evening job for 2 weeks, after asking for back 3 times I actually had to get a contractor to job it before the weather broke. Drove over just took it off their tractor a few days later and found the boom broken. Was not a happy camper.

delaval · 21-02-2013 10:02PM

I loaned my cattle trailer to my neighbour about 1 year ago with ins. to have it back next amas I needed it. Needless to say I had to phone for it next day was duly returned not clean. I promptly hooked up took it to his yard left it in the way hired truck to do my bit sent him bill, trailer returned clean and never asked for again. We still go for a pint together as he got the message.

grazeaway · 21-02-2013 10:14PM

just do it wrote: »

On a broader note I've really gone away from machinery as I think unless you've a big enough operation it's a waste of money. I've a MF165 bought for €3,200 in 2007 and a few small bits and pieces for it i.e. bale handler, transport box, wagtail spreader, roller, chain harrow. Whilst every so often I dream of a better tractor I just can't justify it financially. On a cost benefit analysis getting a contractor in with the best of gear wins out every time. Not to mention the time saving. What he'll do in 5 hours will take me 10hrs.

There's loads of lads in my area now so getting some one on a given day usually isn't a problem. One way to ensure they come on the day you want them is to pay them on the day. Money talks.

Yeah fair point but there times when you just need to be able to do a job your self and if you have the time and the need its worth the investment

Pat the lad · 21-02-2013 10:19PM

on a slightly different note, anyone here (or your contractor) use a tandem axel tank. draw a nice bit of slurry by road, and was wondering if a tandem axel tank would be easier on the tractor etc. also is it any easier on the field I.e. lower ground pressure,less marking than a single axel tank on wetter land

moy83 · 21-02-2013 10:20PM

20silkcut wrote: »

In terms of stock numbers I am nowhere near the critical mass for even a small vacuum tanker. However with the price of fertiliser and high cost of getting a contractor to spread for you I am contemplating it.
I am selling approx 30 acres of silage off the stem this year so will be using a fair bit of fertiliser.
I am within a mile of a piggery farm from which I could draw the slurry.
What advice would ye give me?

Would the piggery spread it for you , I bet this year they would have if your land was dry enough to take it . Failing that you could just hire a local lad to spread it this year to see if it stacks up compared to fertilizer .
I kept a four bay tank of slurry off a lad that is beside a bit of our silage ground on the condition that he pays for the diesel . I thought I would use it after the first and second cut , and it would be cheap manure but twice already ive had to find a place for a few loads because his tank is near the top :rolleyes: If you have the time for spreading its fine but if not you could lash out a good heap of fertilizer in one dry evening

20silkcut · 21-02-2013 10:30PM

Is a contractor not between 60 and 80 euros an hour to spread slurry??

I got a 13 acre field spread last year and it took 6 or 7 hours with a 2 mile round trip over and back to the piggery.

This year I need 30 acres spread with the same 2 mile round trip. Roughly 3 times as much. I am looking at probably giving a contractor the bones of 1500 quid if I was to go with slurry.

My situation is hoping to expand to have about 40 weanlings next year.
90 acre farm 40 of which is set in a conacre arrangement. 30 acres of silage ground and 20 acres with my animals grazing. Would be just spreading the slurry on the silage ground.
Zetor 8111 tractor 85hp two wheel drive in good nick.The ground is free draining flat as a pancake.

yellow50HX · 21-02-2013 10:49PM

20silkcut wrote: »

Is a contractor not between 60 and 80 euros an hour to spread slurry??

I got a 13 acre field spread last year and it took 6 or 7 hours with a 2 mile round trip over and back to the piggery.

This year I need 30 acres spread with the same 2 mile round trip. Roughly 3 times as much. I am looking at probably giving a contractor the bones of 1500 quid if I was to go with slurry.

My situation is hoping to expand to have about 40 weanlings next year.
90 acre farm 40 of which is set in a conacre arrangement. 30 acres of silage ground and 20 acres with my animals grazing. Would be just spreading the slurry on the silage ground.
Zetor 8111 tractor 85hp two wheel drive in good nick.The ground is free draining flat as a pancake.

That's a long spin for a small tank and tractor. I'd say get a contractor with a big tanker, he would have it done in an afternoon. As I'd say it would be almost an hour to do a tank

20silkcut · 21-02-2013 10:53PM

I have visions of myself spending ridiculously more time bouncing around in the zetor on the road to the piggery than in the field spreading.
The budget I would have for such a purchase is max 2 grand.
Definitely would not get anymore than a (very second hand) 1600 gal one for that.
How long would a full 1600 gal take to empty in a field???

20silkcut · 21-02-2013 10:55PM

Would it take an hour???

A mile over and a mile back. 40k box

case885 · 21-02-2013 11:02PM

I spread 40 acres last summer 2500 gallons per acre 3.5 mile round trip with a 1350 gallon tank no radio

youd be suprised though you kinda get used to it think it took a few days i was flat 40 k

yellow50HX · 21-02-2013 11:07PM

20silkcut wrote: »

Would it take an hour???

A mile over and a mile back. 40k box

Your hardly going to be going flat out in the zetor with a tank of slurry. Cheap tankers usually have an old pump that take ages to fill.

1chippy · 21-02-2013 11:08PM

we get a contractor in to spread the main bulk of the slurry. it worked out at 67 euro per bay to mix and spread this year using the umbilical. the ground is nearly all surrounding the yards so makes it fairly handy We bought an 1100 gallon tank just to have for the odd load out and maybe drawing water in. it was bought second hand last year and is very handy but the price of spreading yourself just doesnt add up. you should get a reasonable tank for 2k, just dont waste it on one with a fancy paint job.
fancy machinery sitting in a yard is just a pure waste of money.

Pros and cons of investing in a slurry tank.

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