Landrynoise Farm hit the road with GEA STR Series Manure Semi-Tanker
Daniel Landry, co-owner of the Landrynoise Farm in St-Albert, Quebec, Canada
Landrynoise Farm proves you can have both – haul manure efficiently and maintain a good relationship with your neighbors.
Landrynoise Farm is in the heart of St. Albert, a small community in Quebec, Canada. The dairy farm produces around 16 million gallons (19 million US gallons) of which over 2 to 3 million is transported further away. From its early beginnings in 1960, Landrynoise Farm has continuously evolved by adopting different manure management methods. Considering the large volume of manure they need to haul to the field, Landrynoise Farm decided three years ago to use a local contractor who owned a semi-truck reservoir. Daniel Landry, co-owner of the dairy farm, immediately knew owning a similar vehicle would be beneficial for manure transport.
Landrynoise Farm produces around 16 million gallons (19 million US gallons) of manure per year.
A great collaboration with GEA
Initially, Landrynoise Farm hauled their manure by using a used oil reservoir that had been converted to haul manure. When GEA contacted the farm, Landrynoise agreed to test an STR Series Manure Semi-Tanker prototype. Following the test, Landrynoise Farm decided to acquire the unit.
The owners of Landrynoise Farm have worked together with GEA for many years. It is a long-standing, open collaboration Daniel Landry explains, "We started working with GEA when the company was originally J. Houle & Fils. It’s a passionate team, dedicated to manure management. We have built a strong, trusted relationship with them because they take into consideration our needs and adapt the equipment accordingly."
Improving coordination for manure application
Landrynoise Farm uses secondary manure pits (holding 1 million gallons each) located directly in the field where manure application is done. The GEA manure semi-tanker allowed Landrynoise Farm to haul manure from the main farm storage to the secondary pits. From the first day working in the field to apply manure, Landrynoise Farm quickly found this way of working was more effective, efficient and kept their fuel and tractor tire replacement costs down.
Using secondary manure pits improves manure coordination since Landrynoise Farm can haul their manure year-round. They can haul their manure quickly and effectively during the off-season times (winter or summer) and store it in secondary pits until next spreading season. It gives them more flexibility during the short spreading seasons and allows Landrynoise Farm to react to unexpected weather conditions or other unforeseen situations.
Now, we go unnoticed when we travel through towns with the semi-tanker. It is viewed no different than a vehicle delivering propane or diesel fuel with a tanker truck.
Maintaining a good relationship with neighbors
Being able to haul manure year-round reduces agricultural traffic during peak seasons. It is important to Landrynoise Farm to preserve a harmonious co-existence between the dairy farm and neighbors. Using a vehicle fully adapted to road transportation, like the GEA STR Series Manure Semi-Tanker, provides the public a better image in contrast to the frequent trips of a liquid manure spreader pulled by a very wide tractor. Landrynoise Farm considers the GEA STR Series Manure Semi-Tanker an essential part of promoting a positive image of farming to the St. Albert community.
GEA STR Series Manure Semi-Tanker
