Innovative solutions for nitrogen reduction

Jan van der Wind and his brother have a dairy farm with 175 dairy cows. "We have been working for a few years to see how we can add value to the manure. How can you bind nitrogen as much as possible in the manure", says Van der Wind.

Van der Wind has taken two important steps to reduce his emissions. First, he has chosen to Flax alternative-BeddingFX® to be used as stable bedding. This is a combination of short chopped straw with natural clay minerals. "Clay minerals are known to bind nitrogen in the manure and to reduce leaching. This is becoming increasingly important, now that the manure standards are becoming increasingly stricter. What you have then, you want to have as little loss as possible", Van der Wind explains. This is why he opted for this unique stable bedding from Berg.

As a second step, he started using Kopros. "Kopros is a mixture of soil bacteria and fungi that live on ammonia. They convert the nitrogen into bacterial protein that enriches the manure," says Bert Lam of Agro Advies. The collaboration between Van der Wind, Kopros and Berg has created a unique partnership. "With this collaboration, we can all raise animal welfare, manure improvement, nature and therefore also soil health to a higher level," says Henry Westerink of Berg.

A huge reduction in a few months
Since the Kopros bacteria were applied and manure was mixed more frequently in the cellar, this has led to a halving of nitrogen emissions. "The average emission of a company is around 13 kilos. After using Kopros, this came to 6 to 7 kilos at Van der Wind. An enormous reduction in a few months", says Bert Lam. Van der Wind adds: "In addition to Kopros, the clay minerals will certainly also have a positive effect on the manure."

Improved udder health
Van der Wind says that since he started using Berg's Flax Alternative Bedding FX®, his cows' udder health has improved and he has had far fewer cases of mastitis. The high absorption capacity of the clay minerals makes the bedding drier and inhibits bacterial growth.

What happens in the manure pit?
Henry Westerink van Berg explains: "The clay minerals and Kopros fix ammonium in the manure (ionization). That is why less evaporates and it is more available to the plant." This creates richer manure. Van der Wind adds: "An additional advantage of this manure is that there are more possibilities to be able to sell your manure surplus to arable farming."

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Want to know more about the use of clay minerals?
For more information about the operation and properties of Flax alternative-BeddingFX® or other stable bedding with FX® Minerals, contact Berg. Call 0341-768222 or email sales@bergfourage.nl.