Autumn Slurry Mixing: A Guide to Safe, Smooth and Ready for Spreading Slurry

Autumn is always a busy time with stores filling, housing ramps up, and you’re planning applications between rain windows and regional rules. So, we thought we would put together a safe mixing guide for 2025, and how to get an even, pumpable mix ready for low-emission spreading.

In autumn, conditions change fast. When the ground is fit, you want to be ready to go. Proper agitation ahead of time lets you seize those short weather breaks instead of scrambling.

One of the key elements is ensuring you have the right kit for the autumn:

Autumn is typically very busy, and reach plus manoeuvrability really matters in tight yards. A hydraulic, handler‑mounted mixer is a strong option when you need to skim crusts, create flow fast and then reposition with minimal fuss. Our hydraulic mixer is built for exactly this: galvanised construction, plenty of reach for towers and lagoons, and smooth control so you can set the angle and flow you want.

If you’re unsure which setup suits your store, tell us the tank or lagoon dimensions, access points and typical dry matter. We’ll match you with a configuration that mixes efficiently and loads your spreading kit without drama.

Before you start:

Walk the site, plan your moves, and make sure your colleagues know the plan. Clear the building, open everything that opens, and keep non-essential people away. Once the mixer starts, leave it for 30 minutes. Each time you stop and shift position, leave for another 30 minutes. When the mix is even, take your sample, update your plan, and you’re ready to go when the next weather window opens.

A simple, reliable way to mix well

Before beginning your mixing, make sure to do a quick check around the store. Ensure guards and covers are in place and that your hose routes won’t trip anyone. Plan where you’ll stand and where you’ll move the mixer so you spend as little time as possible close to the store.

Break the crust gently. Bring the PTO up slowly and set the jet to skim across the surface. Your goal at this stage is to loosen floating solids, not to blast the walls or the bank. Once the top starts to move, gradually angle the flow deeper to pull settled material into suspension.

Create a circulation pattern that reaches every corner. In a tower tank, work a steady clockwise sweep and then reverse it. That change of direction helps prevent dead zones. In a lagoon, work long, shallow passes that draw material from the bottom without gouging the liner. Give the store time to move as a whole; rushing only stirs the top and leaves heavy material behind.

Work in short, safe cycles. Mix for 15–20 minutes, switch off, step away and ventilate for 30 minutes. Come back, reposition, and repeat. This staged approach builds a consistent slurry without keeping you in a risky area for long periods.

How do you know when you’re done? Take small dip samples from a few points around the store. You’re looking for an even, pourable consistency with no lumps or thick patches. If you’re sending a sample to the lab, always collect it after you’ve completed a full mix.

Keep losses and odour down

You’ll always release some ammonia and odour during mixing and spreading, but timing and technique make a big difference. Try to mix close to the application so the store doesn’t re‑stratify. When you head to the field, choose cool, still, humid conditions if you can; this helps minimise losses. Low‑emission spreading equipment, such as dribble bars, trailing shoes or shallow injection, keeps more nutrients in the crop and less in the air.

Common questions:

How long should I mix for?

Long enough to bring settled solids into full suspension and get an even consistency. That might take several short cycles depending on the size of the store and the thickness of the crust. Trust the samples: when they look the same from different points, you’re there.

Does mixing indoors make ammonia worse?

Mixing can release ammonia. Safety comes first indoors—ventilation and time out of the building are non‑negotiable. To reduce losses overall, finish mixing shortly before you spread and use a low‑emission application in the field.

Can I mix during closed periods?

Mixing in the store isn’t the same as land spreading. If you plan to spread afterwards, always check the rules that apply to your farm and follow your nutrient plan. If in doubt, ask! We are happy to help you plan a compliant, efficient job.

Ready to mix smarter? Talk to Us

If you want a uniform, pumpable slurry and a clear, safe plan for autumn work, we can help. Tell us about your store (tank or lagoon, rough dimensions, access points) and what kit you run. We’ll recommend the right mixing equipment, map out a step‑by‑step mixing routine for your site, and help you plan and carry out efficient, low‑emission spreading when the weather window opens.

Whether you need a handler‑mounted hydraulic mixer, a dribble bar or an injector, our team will get you sorted and on schedule. Get in touch with us, and we can help talk through your mixing needs.