Have you ever had a brilliant idea that just didn't pan out when you needed it most? Derek, a third-generation cattle farmer from Northeast Iowa, described his 40-year-old cattle manure pit in just that way. His father and grandfather envisioned an easier method for managing manure instead of constantly scraping barns and yards. So, they opted to place cattle on slats.
Fast forward 40 years, and Derek is still facing challenges with pumping his pit. In the spring, he adds water, stirs as much as possible, pumps a few loads, and creates just enough space to last through the summer growing season. In the fall, he repeats the process, adding water, stirring, pumping a few loads, and then shaking his head at the mound of untouched solids.
This year, however, may be different. Derek tried a product called NGA by Under the Slats. The application was straightforward. He mixed 16 ounces of NGA concentrate into a 5-gallon pail of warm water and sprayed it over the manure surface and between the slats where he could reach.
About eight weeks later, when Derek began adding water and stirring his pit, he noticed a change. Instead of just water and a few solid chunks, he had a thick slurry. It wasn't perfect, and he certainly wasn't accustomed to pumping such a thick mixture, but he felt hopeful. After all, you can't expect a 40-year-old issue to resolve in just a few weeks.
This story isn't finished yet. We'll check back with Derek to see how his pit continues to evolve. The microorganisms in NGA will keep working tirelessly throughout the summer, and when it's time to pump in the fall, we'll get a clearer picture of how much Derek's pit situation has improved. Follow us for updates in the fall.
