When Turbulator inventor Mike Jenzeh saw how well the device worked treating water, he began to explore other uses for the technology. He was already dealing with a number of customers in dairy and hog production, so was aware of their challenge in dealing with slurry.
“We have a different device for slurry because it’s so thick and heavy. It’s called the Rainbolt. You don’t want to clog things up,” said Jenzeh, adding that the slurry-specific Rainbolt is still only six inches in diameter. Lab analysis shows a 50 percent reduction in nitrates in slurry run through the Rainbolt.
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“Gasses in the slurry receive a static charge which negates their smell. This spinning lowers the surface tension just like it does with water in the Turbulator. The solids will solubilize and dissolve better because the charge breaks up those hydrogen bonds.
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“The concept is the same. Turbulence charges the slurry and separates the components. This helps infiltration into the soil. For instance, after a quarter-inch application, you won’t get the runoff. It all soaks in. An important (aspect) is that magnation converts calcium chloride to calcium aragonite, which is a healthier form of calcium for absorption. It doesn’t stick to the sides of the pipe and equipment.”
Jenzeh said there is growing evidence from customers that Turbulator treated water used in the sprayer gives better results. When chemical and nutrient solutions flow through a Magnation system, droplets are smaller and polarized for a more uniform distribution.
A reduction in the solution’s surface tension and viscosity allows for better foliar absorption. He said you can cover more area in one pass with increased spray angle up to 13 percent. With a lower boom, wind is less problematic.
An email for Nebraska farmer Scott Borman detailed his experience using treated water in his sprayer.
“I mix no AMS in my spray and noticed the best weed control I have seen. I sprayed some volunteer corn on a Friday at noon and by 9 a.m. the next day, it was turning silver and dying. Also, when spraying I noticed the tank mix wasn’t drifting. I could run faster with more pressure and less drift, covering more acres.”
Lee Fintel, who farms at Superior Nebraska, reported, “one hundred percent kill rate on my resistant weeds.”
