In the past, the operation had been top dressing the manure, then working it in with a cultivator. This was both time consuming and left fields in rough condition. Added to the problems was the local community concerns over odour. According to Frank, the Bourgault Liquid Manure Injectors (LMIs) have solved much of the problems. Cluny Colony apply about eight million gallons of hog manure a year through 18 LMIs mounted on a tillage frame at one foot spacing attached to a 9500 us gallon tank.
They apply about 4 to 6 thousand gallons an acre on a variety of stubble, alfalfa, and native pasture type ground. At an average depth of 3 inches and a ground speed of 3.5 mph, there is no sign of pooling. And, as Frank says, "Over all field finish is very good."
Frank states, "We are still fine tuning the application tool, but feel with environmental and local community issues with typical application methods, we are on the right track with what we are doing, and LMIs are allowing us to do that."