CowToilet
Fertilize with precision, prevent emissions! You do that with this RAV certified automatic urination system for cows
The CowToilet is a promising development in the livestock sector, which contributes to a better climate for both animals and humans and also contributes to more sustainable agriculture.
Urine collection at the source
The CowToilet is an innovative system developed to collect cow urine and separate it from solid manure. This is because a cow never urinates and manures at the same time. Nature shows us that these two manure streams should not come together. We at Hanskamp are convinced that we need to empower nature. With the CowToilet, we separate these two manure streams before they come together by collecting the urine at the source (under the cow's tail). This not only reduces ammonia emissions, but also contributes to more sustainable agriculture. Because this nitrogen-rich urine, can be used as an alternative to fertilizer. Moreover, the urine can be disposed of and or weathered to other sectors so that nitrogen disposal generates money instead of being a cost.
See how the CowToilet works on different dairy farms!
Precision fertilization for better crop yields
Paul Galama, who is working on innovative dairy farming systems at DairyCampus in Leeuwarden on behalf of Wageningen Livestock Research - not directly involved in the development of the CowToilet - tells the Volkskrant as follows:
'The urine contains nitrogen and potassium, and the thick manure contains phosphate and organic matter. The clean way of separation with the CowToilet allows cattle farmers and arable farmers to fertilise much more specifically, which in turn is good for the environment.'
Now different cuts of grass can be better fertilised with the urine, manure or a combination of urine and manure. Urine can even be used as a substitute for fertiliser, to generate 'yellow' electricity or serve as a source of hydrogen. Besides fitting well into the cycle, it also has other potentials.
How does the CowToilet work?
Fertilising farmland with cow urine has several advantages over traditional fertilisation methods. Below are some of these advantages:
1. Higher yield: cow urine contains a lot of nitrogen, which is an important nutrient for plants. Therefore, using cow urine as fertiliser can lead to higher crop yields.
2. Sustainability: using cow urine as fertiliser contributes to more sustainable agriculture. This is because less artificial fertilisers are used, helping to reduce greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions
3. Cost savings: using cow urine as fertiliser can lead to cost savings for the farmer. This is because less fertiliser needs to be purchased, which can be cost-saving.
4. Reduction of ammonia emissions: using cow urine as fertiliser can reduce ammonia emissions. This contributes to a better climate for both humans and animals.
5. Healthy soil: cow urine contains other nutrients besides nitrogen that are important for healthy soil. Using cow urine as fertiliser can make the soil healthier and more resistant to diseases and pests.
All in all, fertilising farmland with cow urine has several benefits that contribute to more sustainable and healthier agriculture.
