Application and Utilization of Livestock Effluent Through Sdi Systems

Abstract

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) can be successfully used for application of livestock effluent to agricultural fields with careful consideration of design and operational issues. Primary advantages are that exposure of the effluent to volatilization, leaching, runoff into streams, and humans can be reduced while the primary disadvantages are related to system cost and longevity, and the fixed location of the SDI system. An engineering study with beef feedlot effluent has indicated that driplines with discharge of 1.5 to 2.3 L/hr-emitter can be used successfully with little clogging. SDI tended to have greater corn yields and better nutrient utilization than low-energy precision application (LEPA) center pivot sprinklers when using swine effluent in a two-year field study.