Solar‑Powered Landia Pump Boosts Efficiency at Lancashire Organic Dairy

At Old Holly Farm, an all‑electric 100‑hectare organic dairy in Lancashire, the focus is on efficiency, not merely output. A Landia Chopper Pump has become essential for managing slurry as a high‑value fertilizer.

Powered by solar panels, the 7.5 kW pump transports slurry 510 m from the main dry‑cow house straight to the external lagoon, eliminating the need for diesel‑powered equipment and reducing both fuel consumption and labour.

“First, we tried a diesel pump,” said Ian Pye of Old Holly Farm near Garstang, “but the process was costly and took up too much time. Every drop of slurry matters, so we needed a simple, long‑lasting solution. We believed Landia could deliver that without prohibitive cost. Five years on, the decision has proven to be excellent value; it works reliably and is truly cost‑effective. Sending slurry directly to the lagoon with a dependable pump is a no‑brainer.”

When manure from the farm’s 140 cows becomes particularly thick—depending on the season, diet, or maternity—it is moved 100 m to the lagoon in the yard. Otherwise, the Landia Chopper Pump, equipped with a movable control panel for flexibility, delivers slurry straight to the lagoon. Its knife system continuously breaks down solid particles, preventing debris from clogging the pump’s casing and keeping it running smoothly.

Ian Pye added: “In five years, all we’ve needed for the pump has been a new float switch, which is very straightforward to replace. Landia’s support has been consistently friendly and helpful. From day one they listened closely to our goals and delivered a solution that truly fits our needs.”

Old Holly Farm, a supplier to the Arla dairy co‑operative—home to one of the world’s largest externally‑validated climate data sets—operates almost entirely under one person, Ian Pye.

Contact Landia: 01948 661 200
Website: www.landia.co.uk