For a healthy herd and clean environment

SOP™ - Sirio Operating Process

Her

d he

alth

Genus Breeding Ltd, Alpha Building, London Road, Nantwich, CW5 7JW

Telephone: 0870 162 2000 Fax: 01270 616702

www.genusbreeding.co.uk

Calls may be monitored for training purposes

Her

d he

alth

For a healthy herd and clean environment

Distributed in the UK and Ireland by

Utilising an innovative approach, the creators of SOP have refined

a technologically advanced process and packaged it in a form that

makes it extremely useful and easily useable on today’s dairy farms.

SOP products are all extensively scientifically tested but are based

on completely natural substances. The producers of SOP continue

to work closely with vets and scientists across agriculture pursuing

their aim to improve conditions leading to the maximum wellbeing of

cows, indeed interaction with the veterinary communities throughout

the 33 countries SOP is used in is encouraged.

The ‘SOP SYSTEM’ is integrated into the management and welfare

system already present on the farm. The system does not involve the

introduction of bacteria, enzymes or disinfectants. Instead SOP uses a bio-conditioning approach;

simultaneously stimulating those desirable micro-organisms already in the environment on the farm while

inhibiting the pathogenic micro-organisms. The micro-organisms involved include bacteria, fungi and

algae. Throughout this brochure these groups of micro-organisms will be mainly referred to as bacteria.

SOP™... for a healthy herd and clean environment

How it works...

SOP’s credentials...

Graph one: Reasons for culling

dairy cows

The challenge...

One of the main challenges that today’s dairy farmer faces is

to keep his prize asset, his dairy cow, in the herd for as many

lactations as possible.

Dairy cows, heifers and calves have probably never been so

valuable, with a higher milk price and national production levels

allowing scope for growth.

In the UK every year many thousands of dairy cows are

culled from the national herd, mostly for reasons other than

old age (see graph one).

The creators of SOP have worked with

a number of universities throughout

Italy including Perugia, Milan, Turin and

Parma; and have had works published

by the National Mastitis Council (USA).

SOP also benefits from EU organic

accreditation.

SOP (Sirio Operating Process) has been developed to offer a

possible solution to some of these problems. Using SOP can help

create a healthier environment across the farm.

By promoting a healthier environment some of the areas where

we can expect consistent improvements include:

Reduced somatic cell counts

Reduced incidence of environmental mastitis

Reduced incidence of environmental digital dermatitis

The solution... could be SOP™

Apart from these improvements in health, there are several other

direct benefits that SOP can bring to your farm.

SOP C COW

Specifically designed to work in the housing environment of cows, heifers and weaned calves.

Improving health and hygiene are two of the main goals with significant reductions in pathogenic

bacteria and ammonia found in the bedding and housing. Large savings in the amount of straw used

and less frequent mucking out are other key positives.

SOP C CALF

Specifically designed to work in the housing of calves while they are on a milk based diet. A reduction

in scours and respiratory diseases are the main benefits.

SOP LAGOON

Specially formulated to work under slats and in slurry lagoons. Its main functions include keeping slurry

uniformly fluid, thus reducing the need for stirring, as well as reducing pollutants such as ammonia and

nitrates.

SOP product summary...

There are three products in the SOP bovine range which is available exclusively through Genus ABS

across the UK and Ireland. Each SOP product works in a different environment across the dairy farm.

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Infertility

ProductionLameness

Disease

35%

28%

11%

16%

5% 5%

Mastitis

Other

Source: NAHMS 2003 Dairy Report

SOP is applied directly onto the cowsbedding area using a duster.

0201

35%

SOP™... improving herd health and hygiene

Jim Petrie, (Herd Manager), Mackie's Dairy,

Aberdeenshire

500 Holstein and Jersey cows.

“I’ve been using SOP on allthe cubicles. I’ve seen a dramatic reduction in newcases of environmental mastitis and a reduction indigital dermatitis. The beds are cleaner and drier and so are the cows. It definitelycreates a cleaner, healthierenvironment. I intend to keep using SOP.”

B Smith, Foxfields Farm,

Derbyshire170 Holsteins, average 7628

litres, 3.90% fat, 3.22% protein.

Started SOP late October 2007.After six months on SOP C COW...*Yield up 500 litres since SOP. *One third less straw used. *Not mucked out loose yards in sixmonths.

SOP C COW…

Working with the useful bacteria in the housing environment on

the farm while suppressing the undesirable bacteria, SOP C

COW offers solutions for many of the problems farmers face

today. There are two key areas of focus for SOP C COW; the

first, ‘health and hygiene’, and the second, ‘comfort and

wellbeing’.

Improvements can be seen in health and hygiene with a variety

of undesirable bacteria less prevalent. Some bacteria who’s

populations are consistently reduced include:

Streptococcus uberis

Escherchia coli

Klebsiella sp

Spirochete

Reductions in the numbers of these and other bacteria can

lead to improvements in milk cleanliness and quality, as well

as reductions in mortality, medicine and veterinary costs.

One way of achieving optimal improvements in health and

hygiene for your investment is to treat the ‘critical areas’.

These include the places cows are housed during the period

from around seven months gestation through to around one

month post calving and the hospital pen. At this time the cow

is under greatest stress so any reductions in the pathogenic

bacteria that surround her are hugely beneficial.

With levels of digital dermatitis rising all the time, SOP offers

a very proactive solution to the problem, suppressing the

causative bacteria.

Importantly, only environmental bacteria are affected by SOP.

Contagious bacteria live in the cow and are not influenced by

SOP.

Harry Hodgson, Wormanby Farm, Carlisle120 pedigree Holstein cows, average yield 10,000 litres,

cubicles with some loose housing.

“The calving pen area was thefirst part of the farm we used SOP in. Within the first fourweeks there were zero numberof mastitis cases and that hascontinued throughout thewinter period, the beds becamedrier and compact. Due to thepositive results we have startedusing SOP in the loose housed section of the milking herd.”

Gareth Hughes, Tandderwen, Glascoed, Abergele, Denbighshire

60 Holstein Friesian cows, 7500 litre average, cubicle housed herd.

“Since starting to use SOP C COW there’ve been no cases of foul of the foot and a dramatic reduction in cases of dermatitis. SOP has helped to dry out the cubicles and reduce the sawdust used each day by 25%. It has also reduced theamount of straw used. There is no smell of ammonia in the cubicle shed and itseems there is also no crust on the slurry tank. I’ve now decided to try SOP CCALF and next year we’ll use SOP LAGOON and SOP C COW all winter.”

W & N Furse, Westcott Farm, Sutcombe, Devon200 Holsteins, average yield of 9000 litres, cubicle housed on mats with

sawdust.

Started using SOP in Nov 2007 due to environmental mastitis problems. DarrenFurse says “Since we started using SOP in Nov 2007 we have cut our incidenceof environmental mastitis by 50% and also our repeat cases by 50%.” Mr Fursealso comments that while he’s made some other changes too, he does believethat SOP has definitely helped.

Graph three: Foxfields Herd SCC Graph four: Foxfields 170cows >200 SCC

Graph two: Average monthly cases of

mastitis (W & N Furse, Westcott Farm)

Source: NMR

Source: Furze

Month

5

0

15

10

25

20

35

30

40

Mar

07

Apr

07

May

07

Jun

07Ju

l 07

Aug

07

Sep

07

Oct

07

Nov

07

Dec

07

Jan

08Fe

b 08

Average

Before

SOP

Source: NMRMonth

50

0

150

100

250

200

350

300

400

Mar

07

Apr

07

May

07

Jun

07Ju

l 07

Aug

07

Sep

07

Oct

07

Nov

07

Dec

07

Jan

08

Average

Before SOP

Nu

mb

er

of

ca

se

s o

f m

as

titi

s

0

5

10

15

20

Apr

07

May

07

Jun

07Ju

l 07

Aug

07

Sep

07

Oct

07

Nov

07

Dec

07

Jan

08Feb

08

25

Month

Mar

08

Graph five: Reduction in pathogenic

microbial load

Source: Perugia University

ufc

/g in

bill

ion

s

0

25

50

75

100

Untreated SOP

150

125

Source: SOP, average of three farm trials (2006)

Perc

enta

ge o

f derm

atitis

0

20

40

60

80

Untreated SOP

-57%

100

Graph six: Reduction in

digital dermatitis

Here’s what farmers are saying about SOP C COW…

Average

After

SOP

Feb

08

Average

After

SOP

Started using SOP

Started using SOP

No

of

cases >

200 S

CC

Average

Before SOP

Average

After

SOP

0403

Harry Hodgson Jim Petrie

Source: University of Perugia 2004-2005

Months pre SOP

100

0

300

200

500

400

600

12-1

0

9-7

6-4

3-1

1-3

4-6

7-9

Average

Before SOP

Graph seven: Reduction in

somatic cell counts

SC

C ‘

000 p

er

ml

Months using SOP

10-1

2

Average

After

SOP

Started using SOP

Started using SOP -35%

-94%

SC

C ‘

000 p

er

ml

Jonathan Foote, Church Lane Farm

160 Holsteins housed in loose yards.

“40% saving on straw. Reduction in ammonia- major benefit! Flexibility on muck out times if conditions not ideal as there is the confidence in product andbedding condition is much improved. Muck more composted thus spreads in thefield more easily. Twice the rate of breakdown in SOP muck in comparison topreviously. Usually it would take 20 man hours to muck out both sheds now ittakes only 10! Saved another 40 man hours over the winter as mucking out hasbeen pushed back to over six weeks when previous it would be every four weeks.Reduction in new cases of mastitis. Only cases of mastitis now are re-occurringcases. Now using SOP in the calf shed also.”Overall comments: * Best innovation for loose housing ever encountered.

* Considered going to cubicles before we started using SOP. * More than happy to tell other people about the product.

Gordon & Andrew Thomas, Acton Lodge Farm, Gloucestershire

105 cows, 8000l, av 30 l/day 170 scc (top band).

“We started using SOP C COW at the beginning of December. As at the end ofMarch we have used about 10% less straw, despite having very variablequality straw. We are now mucking out less frequently having gone from fourweeks to eight weeks. There have been between 25-35% less cases of mastitis.SOP has reduced the heat in the muck and there seems to be less ammonia.We ordered some more SOP to see us through until turnout and will be using itagain next season.”

Giles & Leo Rowland, Bachymbyd Fawr, Llanrhaeadr, Denbighshire300 Holstein cows, 9500 litres per cow. Milking herd in cubicles, dry cows

and just calved on two straw yards.

“SOP C COW has been used on straw yards and in the cubicles since the firstweek of January. It was evident that the straw yards were taking 50% lessstraw. Leo says that he would normally muck out every six weeks, but threemonths on he has not had to clean out.”

R Malpass, Lower Cowley, Gnossal, Staffordshire

200 Holsteins.

“Started using SOP in January 2007. SCC’s have fallen by around 25% and environmental mastitis numbers have dropped by over 75%. Straw usage hasalso fallen in the loose yard areas on the farm.”

R M Winscom, Red House, Stroud, Petersfield, Hampshire. Oliver Howe (Farm Manager)

260 Holsteins, 250 cows on cubicles plus hospital pen and transition group on straw yards.

“Using cubicle sanitising product before SOP. After two weeks 25% reduction in new cases of environmental mastitis. 30% reduction in repeat cases over the same period 12 months previous. Definite reduction in ammonia levels in kennels. Farm is located close to a town so complaints due to smell when spreading slurry. Received positive public reaction since usingSOP LAGOON we are looking to change this. Transition yard and hospital pen much drier, less heating. As from the end ofMarch yards have not been cleaned out since starting SOP in November. Would usually clean out twice in that period.Overall very happy with the results on farm.”

Table one: Guide to realistic time taken to see results

Sector Results Minimum

times

(days)

Maximum

times

(days)

SOP Product

SOP C COW

SOP C CALF

SOP LAGOON Liquid Manure

Treatment

Unweaned

Calves

Comfort

&

Wellbeing

Health

&

Hygiene

Reduction in the pathogenic microbial load

Reduction in environmental foot dermatitis (*)

Reduction in environmental mastitis (*)

Reduction of the SCC (*)

Drier bedding

Greater degree of humification

Reduction in straw

Cleaner animals

Reduction of flies (in treated areas)

Reduction of nasty smells and ammonia gas

Reduction in coughs (calves)

Reduction of scours (calves)

Reduction of crusts

Fluidisation and homogenisation

Reduction in mixing times

Reduction in storage smells

Reduction of smells during spreading

Less phytotoxicity

Greater fertilising capacity

Reduction of nitrates and total nitrogen

30

30

75

75

90

120

150

150

45

60

45

30

60

15

120

120

90

90

90

60

60

60

90

90

60

30

30

30

60

120

120

120

150

120

120

90

90

150

150

150

* Where SOP treatment is carried out in critical areas: calving pens; hospital pens; pregnant heifers in the

final months of pregnancy; dry cows and very fresh cows.

The above indications come from an average of the results obtained from farmers using SOP (150 farms

monitored).

1. SOP must be used correctly, i.e, correct quantity and application method, at the right frequency.

2. For the best results in respect of both health and hygiene as well as comfort and wellbeing, good

management should be employed at all times with, where possible, temperature and humidity being

moderate; rest and feeding time being maximised while stress is minimised.

3. Have reasonable expectations: do not expect the impossible; for example, SOP acts to impact upon

environmental bacteria and will not impact on contagious bacteria.

Improving milk cleanliness and quality...

0605

Jonathan Foote

Richard Malpass

Gordon & Andrew Thomas

a) Average #

head in group?

b) # m³ slurry in

pit or lagoonc) Grams / m³

slurry

d) Grams per

head

Example: Lagoon / pits 120

e) Grams

per head

Week 1-3 Week 4-

Timeframe

300 2 2 2

Lagoon / Pits #1

Lagoon / Pits #2

Lagoon / Pits #3

Jan

Wk 1

Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Wk 2

Wk 3

Wk 4

Wk 5

Jul

Wk 27

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Wk 28

Wk 29

Wk 30

Wk 31

Wk 32

Wk 33

Wk 34

Wk 35

Wk 36

Wk 37

Wk 38

Wk 39

Wk 40

Wk 6

Wk 7

Wk 8

Wk 9

Wk 10

Wk 11

Wk 12

Wk 13

Wk 14

Wk 15

Wk 16

Wk 17

Wk 18

Wk 19

Wk 20

Wk 21

Wk 22

Wk 23

Wk 24

Wk 25

Wk 26

Wk 41

Wk 42

Wk 43

Wk 44

Wk 45

Wk 46

Wk 47

Wk 48

Wk 49

Wk 50

Wk 51

Wk 52

2 2 2

2 2 2

2 2 2

Table two: SOP dosage calculator

Pre SOP benchmarks... 5 months SOP goals...

Average SCC last 3 months ....................................................... ........................................................................

No. of cases environmental mastitis / month .............................. .......................................................................

% herd infected DD ..................................................................... .......................................................................

No. cases respiratory problems (calves/month) ......................... .......................................................................

No. cases of scours (calves / month) .........................................

Thickness of crust (cm) ............................................................... Completed by .................................................

Hours to stir lagoon? ................................................................... Date ................................................................

SOP™... scientifically tested and based on completely natural substances

0807

SOP LAGOON f) Grams per

week (wks 1-3)

h) Weeks SOP

being sold for...Total grams SOP required Total 2kg bags

SOP Lagoon

required

Grams required to treat each lagoon

g) Grams per

week (wk 4-)

(120X2)+(300X2)=840(axd)+(bxc)

(axd)+(bxc) axe 20 (fx3)+((h-3)xg)= i/2000

axe 20 (fx3)+((h-3)xg)= i/2000

axe 20 (fx3)+((h-3)xg)= i/2000

�120x2=240axe

2020

(840x3)+((20-3)x240)=6600(fx3)+((h-3)xg)=

6600/2000=3.3i/2000

(axd)+(bxc)

(axd)+(bxc)

Order?

Total bags required SOP LAGOONSOP usage calendar

a) Average #

head in group?

b) Grams per head c) Treatments per wk

d) Grams perhead

Example: High yielders 40

e) Treatmentsper wk (min)

Week 0-4 Week 5 +

Timeframe

10 2 10 1

Heifers 2-20 months

Heifers >20 months

Dry cows

Hospital pen

Calving pen

Fresh cows

High yielders

Low yieldersLacta

tin

g c

ow

s

Unweaned calves

5 2 5 1

10 2 10 1

10 2 10 1

20 2 20 2

20 2 20 2

10 2 10 1

10 2 10 1

10 2 10 1

3 2 3 2

f) Grams perweek (wks 1-4)

h) Weeks SOPbeing sold for...

i) Total grams SOP required Total 2kg bags

SOP requiredOrder?

Grams required to treat each group

g) Grams perweek (wks 5-)

Total bags required SOP C COW

Total bags required SOP C CALF

axbxc

axbxc

axbxc

axbxc

axbxc

40x10x2=800axbxc

40x10x1=400axdxe

axdxe

axdxe

axdxe

axdxe

axdxe

axdxe

axbxc

2020

20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)=

20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)=

20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)=

20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)=

20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)=

20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)=

(800x4)+((20-4) x400)=9600(fx4)+((h-4)xg)=

�

i/2000

i/2000

i/2000

i/2000

i/2000

i/2000

9600/2000=4.8i/2000

axbxc axdxe 20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)= i/2000

(fx4)+((h-4)xg)= i/2000axbxc axdxe 20

axbxc axdxe 20 (fx4)+((h-4)xg)= i/2000

SOP C COW /

SOP C CALF

SOP C COW…

Comfort and wellbeing is another area where SOP can have a

very positive impact on the farm.

By promoting some of the bacteria naturally present in

the muck we increase the humus content. 1kg of wheat

straw has the ability to absorb 3 litres of water, while 1kg

of humus is able to absorb 20 litres. Because the muck

is more solid, cows stand on the bedding pack rather than

sinking into it. This reduces the amount of straw required as

less is poached into the muck and also keeps the areas of

the hoof susceptible to digital dermatitis relatively clear of

muck and away from the dermatitis causing bacteria.

As a result of producing this higher humus content manure,

less straw is required for bedding down. In addition, at a

time when labour is limited on farm, this means less time

is spent bedding yards down.

Another benefit in the barn is the large drop in the amount

of ammonia in the air the cows breathe. With purer air in

the cattle housing there will be fewer respiratory complaints

as well as less dietary suppression.

When the yards are mucked out the manure is much more

decomposed than would have been the case without SOP.

When spread, the bacteria that have absorbed much of the

ammonia and nitrates within the manure, turning it into

protein, die and the protein reverts to useful nitrogen from

which the plants benefit.

Because the muck is less smelly, flies are less attracted

to it. As a result less flies lay less eggs in the muck, less

larvae hatch, with the net result being that less flies tend

to populate SOP treated areas.

Q1. How quickly will I see results?

A. You might be lucky and see some changes inside one month; we would hope you would see

improvements in three months; but we know that, having applied the correct amounts at the correct

frequency, you will see the promised improvements within five months. (Refer back to the table on

page 6 for more details).

Q2. Can I keep using a disinfectant too?

A. No, anything, including hydrated lime with disinfection qualities will negatively impact the useful

bacteria we are trying to encourage with SOP. (Untreated lime is fine to use).

Q3. I farm organically, can I still use SOP?

A. SOP products are confirmed as appropriate for use in organic farming by the EU Commission.

Q4. If I clean the back of the cubicles daily how can I use SOP?

A. Spread your SOP further forward. Aim to place it between where the front and back feet stand.

Over the course of a few days, the cow will walk the SOP back as she exits the cubicle.

Q5. If I muck out my loose yards every couple of weeks will SOP work for me?

A. No, with SOP it takes months to see the full impact. Bacterial balances have to change. Using

SOP with less straw may mean that you can muck out less frequently.

Q6. When I muck out, do I disinfect and then double dose with SOP as before?

A. Do not disinfect after cleaning out. Instead only remove 95% of the muck. Leaving a thin layer

of SOP treated muck across the floor under the new straw will act as a graft with the correct

bacterial balance.

Q7. How long will it take me to apply the SOP?

A. Using the duster, each SOP application should take between eight and fifteen minutes per 100

cows.

Q8. Will I have to agitate the slurry in my lagoon if I use SOP?

A. Agitation will be vastly reduced. Some stirring early on will help SOP work faster though.

Q9. By using SOP can I expect zero cell

counts, mastitis and dermatitis levels?

A. No, SOP will just help create an

environment where the pathogenic

bacteria are much less prevalent.

Frequently asked questions...

Graph nine: Reduction in flies larvae in cattle bedding

Source: SOP, September 2007

2

3

5

7

10

4

6

9

8

1

-75%

Untreated SOP C Cow

n/2

00 g

of

beddin

g

Graph eight: Reduction in the quantity ofstraw used (average of 12 customers)

Source: SOP 2005

Before with SOP

-44%

20

30

50

100

40

60

90

80

10

70

Pe

rce

nta

ge

SOP™... for comfort and wellbeing

1009

SOP™... impacting on respiratory health

Gareth Clwyd Roberts, Bach-y-Graig, Tremeirchion,

Denbighshire.200 Holstein Friesians, averaging 7000 litres, 175 cubicle spaces, 20

cows in loose yards.

“Have been using SOP for approximately six months on the bedding of our young calves. With a problem with pneumonia in the agegroup 0-6 months, we considered investing in a purpose builtbuilding for this age group. However we purchased SOP for this agegroup. After the first four weeks, there was evidence of the productworking with ammonia smells gone from the building and lessproblems with pneumonia. The following three months have seen thebiggest difference with no problems with pneumonia and the use ofbedding has halved.”

* Used SOP rather than build a new calf house!

Mr John Shaw, Crookdyke Farm, Rockcliffe, Cumbria.

150 cow Holstein herd, averaging 9000 litres, SOP applied to straw yards.

“We began using SOP C CALF in November 2007. We noticed the bedding was significantly drier and more compact with the amount of fresh bedding needed also slightly reduced in all the areas. The difference in thehealth of the calves was very impressive. Since using SOP they’ve had no respiratory problems and no scours.The general cleanliness and overall health has improved greatly also the atmosphere within the calf unit isnoticeably fresher and there is no smell.”

Mark Simpson, Cleave Farm Partnership, Cleave Farm, Weare Gifford, Devon.

400 Friesian Holsteins, Average yield of c.8000 litres.

“Scouring calves was the reason why we went onto SOP C CALF. SOP has worked very well for our calves, asthe product has kept the beds very dry which in my opinion has kept pneumonia away and has reduced scoursby 50%. It's very easy to use and really works.”

Henry Morgan, Fardre Farm, St George, North Wales.

250 Friesians, yielding 6000 litres, cubicle housed.

“We used SOP on a bunch of three month old calves in a shed which in the past had presented problems withpneumonia. For the first couple of months a normal amount of bedding was used with no health problems and anoticeable reduction in smell. After the first couple of months we reduced the bedding by at least half and theystill remained dry and clean with no odour. They also remained healthy and free of pneumonia.”

SOP C CALF…

Specifically designed to be appropriate for treating the bedding

of unweaned calves.

The manure produced by calves fed on milk is very different

than that of older cattle fed on mainly forage based diets.

These differences include such aspects as the loadings of

different bacteria present in the muck, which differ enough to

make a second product essential.

While many of the bacteria inhibited or encouraged are similar

to those with the cow product, the aims are generally slightly

different.

One of the main areas that SOP C CALF aims to have an

impact is respiratory health. By significantly reducing the

amount of ammonia released by the muck, calf health is

vastly improved with levels of pneumonia all but reduced

to zero in many cases. In addition scouring is negligible.

Even where calf milk machines are employed, the typically

smelly wet patches around the machine are less and seem

benign.

Some of the useful bacteria that are stimulated go on to

multiply faster than the undesirable ones, absorbing much

of the ammonia in the muck. The reduced smells that result

along with the drier bedding see many fewer flies attracted

to lay their eggs. Fewer eggs mean fewer larvae and ultimately

even fewer flies.

Graph ten: E coli levels in bedding

Source: University PG/2002

ufc

/g m

illio

n

10

20

30

40

50

Untreated SOP

-93%

Graph eleven: Reduction in flies in cattle bedding

Source: SOP, September 2007

-75%

Untreated SOP

2

3

5

7

10

4

6

9

8

60

70

1

-67%

Larvae Pupae

No

’s p

er

200g

ram

s o

f b

ed

din

g p

ack

Here’s what farmers are saying about SOP C CALF…

1211

Richard Isaac, Glenn Farm, Falfield, Gloucester.

170 Holstein cows.

“I have been using SOP LAGOON since the beginning of December I saw a difference in a couple of weeks, with the slurry bubbling. In the past when we have emptied the tower we have had to have the tractor and pump stirring for most of the time. When we emptiedit this time we did 50% less stirring as there was no crust. The towerwas emptied out right to the bottom. With less solids it was emptiedout much quicker which made my contractor happy. Muck used tohang on the sides, but it doesn’t anymore.”

Mr Jones, Pantyrhendy, Llanarth, West Wales

100 Friesian Holsteins

“I started using SOP LAGOON in November. At that time therewas a thick crust on the slurry which used to take about tenhours to mix. By mid January it was completely mixed withinone hour. I am now also using SOP C COW in the cubicles toowith good results so far.”

SOP LAGOON…

Has been developed to alleviate the problems faced by

farmers with excessive crusts on lagoons.

Fuel and time are two of the largest costs on farms today.

Huge reductions in the time taken to agitate mean massive

savings in the amount of labour and diesel expended stirring

slurry.

Initially the slurry already in the lagoon is treated by three

weekly applications of SOP, each of which have to be applied

to the fluid slurry under the crust. After that it’s just a matter

of treating the slurry that enters the lagoon on a weekly basis

and reaping the benefits.

In addition to the huge advantages associated with the

reduced stirring times, the resultant slurry is much more

uniform. The amount of liquid versus solid is consistent as

the lagoon is emptied. This means that the nutrients are

evenly applied across the field. Because there is no longer

any very thick slurry to spread, the negative scorching impact

on the plant is minimised. The slurry runs off the plant easily

and contamination of the crop is kept to a minimum.

Further benefits are the vastly reduced smell and ammonia

levels. These have health implications for the animals,

especially where cattle are housed over slats. Often in this

environment, poor ventilation can lead to very debilitating

conditions for the animals.

Clearly where smells are reduced this can make a very

positive impression on your neighbours. With many villages

and towns growing, farms that were once relatively isolated

have become very much part of the community, a community

which is less tolerant of what it regards as unacceptable smells.

The bacteria convert the ammonia and nitrates into high quality

protein and this protein breaks down when the slurry is spread,

offering much more useable nutrients for your crop to utilise.

Here’s what farmers are saying about SOP LAGOON…

Before SOP LAGOON it wasimpossible to use the mixer

After 1 month of SOP LAGOON

the farmer could use his mixer

After five months

Graph twelve: Reduction of ammonia in air using SOP Lagoon

Source: SOP

NH

3 p

pm

5

10

15

20

25

Untreated SOP Lagoon

-74%

Graph thirteen: Reduction of nitrates inliquid manure

Source: SOP, Average of three farm trials (2006)

-95%(Average)

Untreated SOP

10

20

40

60

90

30

50

80

70

For more information on SOP™ contact our Specialist Team on 0870 900 1270

SOP™... reducing nasty odours and ammonia

1413

Harry & Ian McKnight, Lisburn, County Antrim

Milking Holsteins and using SOP LAGOON in pits under slats.

“Previously we found it difficult to mix the tank thoroughly,sometimes stirring it for 4 hours or more. Last autumn we optedto use SOP LAGOON with fantastic results. This spring the tankhad no crust and after a quick mix was ready to spread. SOPLAGOON is easy to use and we'll definitely continue to use it.”

SOP treated slurry

Gra

ms p

er

m3