I write with reference to the article that appeared on page 6 on Monday about my manure management practices.

During my presentation at the GalXlokk Foundation Seminar, I repeatedly emphasised the fact that some farmers were compelled to put manure into the drainage system as they are not allowed to spread liquid manure on fields because of possible over-application, mechanical manure separators are very expensive and costly to run and maintain and the centralised manure processing centres to take raw manure from farms have never been built.

So what options do these farmers really have?

The above reasons are also among those that led me to develop my manure management/composting system.

A major benefit of composting manure is that this process binds nitrogen, which is then released slowly over some three-four years when applied to the soil to satisfy the needs of the growing crops, without leaching to the aquifer. Composted manure also improves soil texture, fertility and water retention ability and the presence of organic matter helps to promote a higher worm population.