Put dairy ponds on your farm ‘to do’ list

EPA Victoria (EPA) is reminding all farmers in Southwest Victoria to put dairy effluent ponds on their ‘to do’ list before winter sets in.

EPA Southwest Regional Manager, Carolyn Francis, says last year’s wet spring and flooding in parts of the state were reminders of the hazards of an overgrown or backed up dairy effluent system.

“The threat from a neglected dairy effluent management system is in overflows and leaks, and any rainy weather can send backed up effluent pouring over the edge,” she said.

“Dairy farmers need to get some pre-winter maintenance done on their dairy effluent ponds, pumps, and pipes as soon as they can. It’s the most effective way to make sure dairy effluent is a fertiliser that’s good for your farm, not a pollutant that threatens waterways and neighbouring properties.”

The pollutants can include:
• nutrients
• pesticides
• fertilisers
• milk from washdown, spillage and waste milk
• contaminated soil washed away by heavy rain

Letting those pollutants escape into channels, drains and waterways can reduce oxygen levels, kill aquatic life, encourage toxic algae, and create the danger of disease.

“Dairy farmers can prevent effluent ponds from overflowing by de-sludging, controlling weeds and irrigating the water component to pasture when weather conditions are appropriate,” Ms Francis said.

“Now is the right time to clean out ponds while keeping effluent irrigation equipment in good condition and preparing to deal with any pipe or pump failures.”

To read the EPA’s guide on dairy effluent management, visit epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/find-a-topic/effluent-dairy-farm.