A £28,000 “moo loo” said to reduce ammonia emissions from cattle is set to make its UK debut at this month’s Lamma event.
Developed by Dutch agri-tech company Hanskamp, the CowToilet is billed as a unique solution to reduce on-farm emissions by separating cow urine and faeces which produce ammonia when mixed together.
Using the simple fact that cows never urinate and defecate at the same time, the CowToilet collects urine directly from under the cow’s tail before it mixes with solid manure. The system is said to integrate seamlessly into most cattle sheds.
As a cow enters to eat, the CowToilet gently rubs against the suspensory ligament of the udder, triggering a natural nerve reflex that encourages urination. Urine is then collected in a sealed receptacle, removed by suction, and stored in an airtight tank.
Research by Wageningen Livestock Research shows that keeping urine and manure separate can reduce ammonia emissions by up to 38%, total nitrogen by 33%, and nitrous oxide by 18% compared with conventional housing systems
“Ammonia is one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the livestock sector,” said Hanskamp founder Henk Hanskamp. “We wanted to create a system that works with nature, not against it – improving animal welfare and helping farmers meet environmental targets without adding to their workload. The CowToilet achieves this in a simple, natural and effective way.”