From Frustration to Innovation: Best practices and maintenance for Slurry Transfer Pumps: A Case Study:
How One Dairy Farm Transformed Slurry Management
In the rolling Yorkshire Dales, where dairy farming demands precision and efficiency, Robert Metcalfe was battling a common yet costly challenge: unreliable slurry transfer pumps that consumed hours of labour and threatened operational smooth running.
His breakthrough came not through complicated technology, but a strategic partnership that would redefine how a modern dairy farm manages its most challenging waste stream.
— Press Release Starts —
Slurry Transfer Pump System Enhancement at Metcalfe Farms
Introduction to Dairy Operations and Challenges
At its dairy operation in the Yorkshire Dales, Metcalfe Farms introduced new separators to futureproof its slurry pumping transfer system for 2,000 (1,300 dairy) cows. The operation faced challenges in creating a streamlined slurry transfer system covering three tanks, particularly in feeding its 200kWh biogas plant.
Pump Replacement and Improvement
Robert Metcalfe, overseeing engineering, described the previous pump issues:
“I used to dread coming down here to sort it out. The pump did an okay job when working but wasn't the best with solids. It wasn't a pleasant job spending over an hour unblocking it each time; a two-man job, so all very time-consuming, especially having to retrieve it with a pipe because there was no clutch at the bottom.”
Aside from the separators, one of first issues was to address the final pump in sequence that ultimately sends slurry (about 6% to 8% dry matter) about 120 meters (and 10 meters of lift) up to the 3,500m3 anaerobic digester.
Annoying bits and pieces inevitably find their way into slurry, which was enough to make the pump block quite regularly.

New Landia Chopper Pump Installation
The old unit was replaced with a Landia Chopper Pump, complete with an integrated guide rail and bespoke pipework system. Metcalfe noted the significant improvement:
“Everything flows through so much smoother now. It is much a better design. You don't have to worry about any sort of pipe bending or extra weight of the added pipe. Generally speaking, the new pump doesn't block, although just recently a large chunk of rope stopped it! But unlike before, it’s now a job for one person, and on this occasion, only took 20 minutes before simply lowering it back in again.”
To replace the old long shaft unit, a new 7.5kW Landia Chopper Pump has now been installed so that slurry levels don’t rise. Meanwhile, the existing Landia long shaft chopper pumps, which have already been in service for 20 years, since Metcalfe had its first shed, continue to work away.
Working closely with Landia to look at how best to integrate the new separators, a 22kW pump was chosen to manage the slurry feeding task, with an existing long-shaft Landia pump moved up from its existing task on another tank.
Biogas Plant and Energy Management
The biogas plant, run by Iona Management Services, added a second CHP (combined heat and power) engine to increase clean energy export. Metcalfe supplies slurry-only feedstock and receives discounted power:
- Winter: 300 kilowatt hours
- Summer: 360 kilowatt hours
Digestate Benefits
The digestate provides significant benefits for grassland:
“The digestate does wonders for our grassland. We spread a little bit on the crops, but it's mainly focused on the grass. This year we did five cuts over 1,000 acres. We hardly spend anything on chemical fertilizer now.”

Pump Selection and Longevity
Metcalfe chose a 22kW pump for slurry feeding and was impressed by the longevity of existing Landia pumps:
“We've had this pump since 2004… when tested by Landia engineers during a service, the 20-year-old unit was still happily pumping full pipe, which I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by.”
That’s all changed now with the old unit replaced by a Chopper Pump made by Landia, who also supplied an integrated guide rail and a bespoke pipework system for easy access and lifting.
‘It is much a better design’
“Everything flows through so much smoother now,” added Robert. “It is much a better design. You don’t have to worry about any sort of pipe bending or extra weight of the added pipe. Generally speaking, the new pump doesn’t block, although just recently a large chunk of rope stopped it! But unlike before, it’s now a job for one person, and on this occasion, only took 20 minutes before simply lowering it back in again.”
Robert Metcalfe continued:
“The pump at the front of the loop system that has been created gets plenty of pain, so no surprise it’s had some repairs over the years, but steadily pumping away, it, with the others, has ensured that the dairy’s channels never fill up. We’ve found that by keeping our channels narrow, the pumps keep them flushed out completely, whereas with wider channels, the whole thing would still need flushing out. Now that we have it all set up on timers, it’s seamless, so far less hassle.
“The Landia pumps are very strongly built things, and I like the fact that they are electric and quite modular, so we don’t have to hook up to a tractor. This very much fits in with what we constantly work towards with fewer engines turning and less burning of diesel. One Landia pump we’ve had now for three years, and it’s never given us a bit of trouble.”

Milking Parlour Pump Improvements
In the milking parlour, Metcalfe replaced frequently failing vortex pumps with a 5.5kW Landia pump:
“We now have a new 5.5kW Landia pump that just flies through any debris or solids, which are an inevitable part of dairy wastewater/slurry. Nothing settles out with this new, much faster pump.”
Over in the Metcalfe milking parlour, Robert has been glad to see the back of having to replace small vortex pumps that blocked or blew completely, even though the liquids are very watery.
He explained:
“As soon as any foreign debris or plastics came into play, straining the pump, we were having to buy a new one almost every six months due to burnout or component failure, so as they clearly weren’t up to the job, I called Landia for help.”
Also, the pump(s) had been installed on winches and over time, blockages and sediment buildup forced us to keep raising the pumps closer to the top of the tank, which in turn meant we ended up with sediment right up to the mouth of the tank.
‘Since we’ve had it installed, we haven’t had to touch it’
Future Outlook
Metcalfe plans to phase out other pump brands, preferring Landia for their:
- Focused pump expertise
- Good backup support
- Reliable spare parts supply
The dairy continues to improve operations, focusing on animal welfare and efficiency, currently producing 45 tonnes of milk per day for Paynes Dairies.
Synching the pump operation, together with the investment in separators is just part of how Robert Metcalfe is helping focus on improvements to help take the diary part of the business forward, but without expanding too quickly.
The dairy provides around 45 tonnes of milk per day to Paynes Dairies at Boroughbridge.

Improved Animal Welfare Pays Off
Exceptionally high animal welfare standards for the Metcalfe cows continue to see a rise in yields.
“Going forward,” said Robert, “everything matters, even the little things. For all its benefits, we’d possibly consider sand bedding, but I don’t think our slurry channels would take it, and there’ such a big wear factor on pumps and machines. The sawdust we use is perfect, apart from the price!”
“We’ve also been improving the lighting for our cows, again with some help from an automatic, dimmable system. Previously in hot summer spells, you could see that our cows were uncomfortable, which we don’t want. The milk output would drop.”
As well as the lighting, we’ve also put up new roof sheets to block out any intensive heat, which has made a big, positive difference.”
An All-Landia Future?
He concluded:
“In time here we will probably phase out other brands of pumps as they come to the end of their life or cause problems, and just stick with Landia. I think it helps that they focus on pumps, rather than some who try to provide everything, plus we always get very good backup and no problems with the supply of spare parts.”
— Press Release Ends —