Liquid digestate and poor growth rates with cows and calves

[rmh]

For a couple of years now we have been using digestate for the obvious benefit of reduced fertiliser cost. However last summer was the first time we done a direct comparison between fertiliser and digestate. The cows and calves grazing the fields with digestate applied were noticeably not thriving aswell,and at a guess by the end of the summer some 50 - 75kg lighter. I cant think of what else it could have been. Has anyone else noticed this? We also have noticed increases in photosensitivity cases since using it, however that may be a coincidence as we changed fluke treatment due to the unavailability of trodax. Also what way do others get around the issue of high levels of potash locking up magnesium, we now refuse to use digestate in the autumn as we feel its to risky. (Learnt from experience)

 

[Fly]

For the issue around potash locking up magnesium, i would recommend applying sodium little and often. If there isnt enough sodium in the forage, animals substitute sodium for potassium which means they are less able to absorb magnesium into the blood which is when you get issues with staggers etc. If you can maintain a potassium to sodium ratio at less than 20:1 in the forage then this risk is dramatically reduced. Hope this helps

 

[sjt01]

For a couple of years now we have been using digestate for the obvious benefit of reduced fertiliser cost. However last summer was the first time we done a direct comparison between fertiliser and digestate. The cows and calves grazing the fields with digestate applied were noticeably not thriving aswell,and at a guess by the end of the summer some 50 - 75kg lighter. I cant think of what else it could have been. Has anyone else noticed this? We also have noticed increases in photosensitivity cases since using it, however that may be a coincidence as we changed fluke treatment due to the unavailability of trodax. Also what way do others get around the issue of high levels of potash locking up magnesium, we now refuse to use digestate in the autumn as we feel its to risky. (Learnt from experience)

How did you apply it? Splash plate will give much poorer results than trailing shoe, as it seals the surface and much of the nitrogen is lost.

 

[davidroberts30]

How did you apply it? Splash plate will give much poorer results than trailing shoe, as it seals the surface and much of the nitrogen is lost.

Was just going to ask how applied

 

[rmh]

How did you apply it? Splash plate will give much poorer results than trailing shoe, as it seals the surface and much of the nitrogen is lost.

It was applied by dribble bar, there was certainly plenty of grass, just im questioning what effect digestate has on the palatability and the nutritional quality of the grass..

 

[Beames]

It was applied by dribble bar, there was certainly plenty of grass, just im questioning what effect digestate has on the palatability and the nutritional quality of the grass..

I had digestate a few years ago after first cut. Grass grew well and took a second cut. When it came to feeding it out in the winter if you put a bale of first cut and second cut in the ring feeders they would lick the feeder clean of first cut before they ate the second cut. Tried the same thing on a few occasions every time same reaction. If they had all second cut they would go round each feeder checking what they had before relenting and eating the bales. Cows seemed to do ok on it but Ive not had it again. Their reaction told me enough.

 

[sjt01]

It was applied by dribble bar, there was certainly plenty of grass, just im questioning what effect digestate has on the palatability and the nutritional quality of the grass..

The other question is the type of digestate and the nutrient balance. Food waste digesters produce a different composition to farm fed digesters. Ours runs on mainly slurry, maize, whey and lucerne and we have never noticed any issues, and have been applying digestate to grazing and silage ground for 11 years.

 

[rmh]

The other question is the type of digestate and the nutrient balance. Food waste digesters produce a different composition to farm fed digesters. Ours runs on mainly slurry, maize, whey and lucerne and we have never noticed any issues, and have been applying digestate to grazing and silage ground for 11 years.

They are local digesters that are fed distillery by products. Predominantly draff and pot ale.

 

[sjt01]

They are local digesters that are fed distillery by products. Predominantly draff and pot ale.

Have you an analysis?

 

[rmh]

Have you an analysis?

I do yes... pm me your email address and ill send it to you

 

[wdah/him]

Once around here a man lost quite a few sheep with doing this but it was food digester i think, couldnt pin it to it but that was the only difference.
same stuff that has been applied in many places has grown great docks, another man noticed a bone in his tanker spout too. Its hardly free for no reason. If i was using digestate i would rather it be a mostly farm fed one as it would be closer to normal slurry.

 

[Top Tip.]

Interesting this coming up as I was involved in a discussion earlier on tonight about digestate, where a fellow was telling me that a lot f his neighbours were getting bad scans in hoggs that had been grazing ground fertilised with digestate. One lot of 400 scanning at 20%, it is all anecdotal but he was saying that it had to be more than coincidence. Why would it have this effect?

 

[Werzle]

Its second to none for growing docks. I wouldnt touch the stuff for grazing or silage ground, i wouldnt entertain chicken muck for the same reasons. I have seen cattle starve themselves before eating grass that was tainted with it and it just doesnt seem right to me. Heavy doses of dirty water and slurry are just as bad if your expecting stock to eat it before its had a fair bit of rain to wash well in.