Dung, urine and effluent

Nitrogen from the pasture plants is absorbed by the cow’s body, and excess nitrogen is excreted as urine and dung.

Urine is of particular concern as a considerable amount of nitrogen is deposited in a small area. Pasture plants are not able to utilise all of the nitrogen, and it can be lost to leaching.

Dairy shed effluent is a mix of wash water, dung and urine. It is collected and treated on the farm and irrigated to the land, returning and reusing the nutrients.

© The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato.