Rainer WINS INNOVATION AWARD with the "Vibra Screen"
A new system to allow dairy effluent liquid to be recycled and used to fertilise pasture has won the 2018 Irrigation Innovation Award.
The Vibra Screen by Rainer Irrigation removes effluent solids larger than 1mm, with the liquid able to be applied to pasture through centre pivot irrigators.
Effluent is most often applied through small travelling irrigators. Applying effluent through centre pivot irrigators allows for a larger area to be covered and for more consistent application. Technology does exist currently allowing for effluent to be applied through centre pivot irrigators but it can be problematic as blockages often result.
Rainer decided to build their own product and aimed to develop a design which was reliable, easy to install and able to handle varying amount of effluent.
The Vibra Screen has taken over three years to develop. It has only six components, resulting in low maintenance and power costs. The screen allows farms to reduce expenditure on fertiliser and can allow recycled water to be used for dairy shed wash down.
Twenty Vibra Screen are currently in operation on New Zealand farms, with Rainer Irrigation receiving interest in the product from across New Zealand.