Specifically, 12% of current ammonia emissions (base year 2005) must be saved in Austria by 2030. The HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein has therefore set itself the task of testing five different distribution techniques in comparison to conventional impact head distributors on grassland.

Aim of the experiment:

• Identify the technology with the greatest ammonia saving potential
• Assessment with regard to emissions, manure distribution, feed contamination and suitability for use in grassland
• Compare the distribution techniques with each other and with the reference distributor “impact head”
• Microbiological contamination of the feed with the respective application techniques

Impact head, pendulum distributor, low-pressure distributor, drag hose, drag shoe and disc injector were assessed with regard to their handling, their effect on ammonia emissions (nitrogen losses) and the feed polluting effect.

The results show a clear direction towards ground-level manure spreading on grassland. It is therefore important to promote these technologies in order to further reduce ammonia emissions.