SlurryBugs®

SlurryBugs® – The Original & Best Slurry Inoculant 

We know how challenging managing slurry can be—thick crusts, difficult mixing, foul odour and uneven spreading all make life harder. That’s why our founder, Liz Russell, created SlurryBugs® over 20 years ago—the first slurry inoculant of its kind—and has been perfecting it ever since.

As pioneers in slurry treatment, we’ve spent over two decades perfecting SlurryBugs, backed by extensive independent university trials—making it the most validated and effective solution on the market today. 

SlurryBugs continues to set the standard in slurry treatment, helping farmers break down fibrous material, prevent crust formation, and unlock valuable nutrients for their crops, which in turn helps to reduce fertiliser costs.

What is SlurryBugs & How Does it Work?

Slurry naturally contains undigested plant fibres, like cellulose and lignin, which can form thick crusts and reduce the available nutrients in the slurry. SlurryBugs introduces beneficial bacteria and fungi that quickly break these fibres down (the fibres come from undigested forage and bedding materials), turning your slurry into a more homogenous, easy-to-handle liquid while releasing valuable nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur back into the slurry.

 Treat with SlurryBugs® for just £0.40 per treated tonne!

Each bag of SlurryBugs® can treat 500,000 L (500 m3 or 110,000 gallons) of slurry for the duration of its storage.

EnviroSystems SlurryBugs inoculant for improved slurry fertilization.
Breaks down crust to liquefy slurry

2 Years of Defra Backed Research

Eco-friendly product gear for sustainable solutions.

Breaks Down Fibrous Slurry Under Covers

Eco-friendly product shield icon representing protection and sustainability.

Increases Fertiliser Value

Eco-friendly waste management and recycling solutions by EnviroSystems.

Maximises Slurry Storage Capacity

Eco-friendly air filtration system for improved indoor air quality.

Simple and Easy Dosing

EnviroSystems Cobiotex bio-based material for sustainable solutions.

More Cost-Effective than Competitors

”“We’ve been using Slurry Bugs for over 4 years, and we’ve seen a marked reduction in crust formation. The nutrient value of the slurry has also improved. Where the slurry has been going, we have been getting a lot more grass growth. We have also been able to reduce the amount of bought-in fertiliser we are applying due to the slurry working so well, which is a huge cost saving.”

Edward Towers, dairy farmer in Lancashire (400 dairy cows)
Edward Towers finds nutrient benefits to using Slurry Bugs slurry inoculant

”“I’d recommend using Slurry Bugs. You easily see the benefits within 12 months of using them. Slurry Bugs simplifies the job, makes it easier and you get a more valuable product to put on the fields.”

Rhys Watkins, dairy farmer in Carmarthenshire (450 dairy cows)
Rhys watkins finds benefits using slurry inoculant slurry bugs

SlurryBugs® products are intended to treat the entire volume of slurry for the duration of its storage.

The bacteria are dosed at the start of storage, allowing them to rapidly colonise the store. They quickly start digesting any existing crust from underneath, and continue to break down any new fibrous material as soon as it is added to the store. For separated slurry systems the use of SlurryBugs Maintenance helps to retain nutrients and reduce smell.

For existing crusts: SlurryBugs digests the fibrous material, homogenising the slurry and breaking down crusts over time.

For prevention: Regular use of SlurryBugs keeps slurry consistent and homogeneous, with higher levels of nutrient retention.

When removing and adding slurry: If slurry is removed during the storage period, this will take the microorganisms out with it, so any extra slurry added back into the store will need a top up of SlurryBugs.

Summer top-up: We advise leaving some slurry at the bottom of your store and applying a top up of slurry bugs to maintain the microorganism population during the warmer summer months.

With continuous development and research-backed results, SlurryBugs® is the ultimate tool for turning your slurry into a high-value fertiliser while making handling and spreading easier than ever.

Each 1kg bag of SlurryBugs treats 500,000 L (500 m3 or 110,000 gallons) of slurry for the duration of it’s storage.

SlurryBugs® Digestate

Bacterial Inoculant for the Treatment of Digestate 

Breaks down crusts and sludge build-up 

Increases digestate storage capacity potential

Improves the balance and availability of the overall nutrient content of the digestate

Each 1kg bag of SlurryBugs Digestate treats 500,000 litres (500m3 or 110,000 gallons) of digestate for the duration of its storage.

Inoculant for digestate treatment, improves breakdown and nutrient release.

Pour the entire contents of the sachets into a bucket of warm (not hot) water and mix thoroughly until the water becomes cloudy.

Some of the microorganisms have been dried onto a granular substrate which is not soluble, so do not worry about this sedimenting at the bottom.

Pour the cloudy mixture directly into the store at the point where the digestate enters the lagoon. This will promote a better mixing across the whole store.

Slurry Analysis Service

Download Flyer
Optimizes slurry analysis and enhances fertilizer efficiency for sustainable farming.
SlurryBugs Slurry Inoculant for efficient slurry analysis and treatment.

To what extent can SlurryBugs® reduce crust formation

Proven Results Backed by Science

We have been testing and refining our product using rigorous, independent scientific testing over the past two decades. Our latest refinement, developed with Defra and Innovate UK support, has undergone extensive trials, demonstrating:

  • Reduced crust weight by 29% over a three month period compared to the same slurry in controlled conditions
  • More consistent slurry in the lagoon which reduces stirring time and effort
  • Increased nutrient availability, cutting the need for artificial fertilisers
  • A 10-15% improvement in the nutrient value of slurry (N, P, K, S) due to the breakdown of fibrous material

Research has also shown that SlurryBugs® plays a key role in preventing crust formation in covered slurry stores—critical for meeting Defra’s ammonia reduction strategy.

SlurryBugs slurry inoculant reducing crust weight in slurry systems.

How does SlurryBugs® impact your slurry's nutrients?

SlurryBugs has increased Nitrogen by 43%.

Ammonium Nitrogen by 21%.

Phosphorous by 48%.

Potassium by 17%.

SlurryBugs inoculant enhances slurry quality and nutrient levels for better crop growth.

The video compares slurry treated with SlurryBugs® & untreated slurry.

Play VideoIllustration of SlurryBugs inoculant for slurry treatment and waste management.Play Video

SlurryBugs in action ...

See what Edward Towers thinks about
SlurryBugs®

Play VideoworkerPlay Video

See what Rhys Watkins thinks about
SlurryBugs®

Play VideoRhys watkins finds benefits using slurry inoculant slurry bugsPlay Video

Lancashire Farm before treatment
with SlurryBugs®

Environmental slurry treatment with SlurryBugs inoculant.

Lancashire Farm after 1 week of treatment
with SlurryBugs®

SlurryBugs slurry inoculant being applied to manure pit.

Lancashire Farm after 4 weeks of treatment
with SlurryBugs®

Soil treatment with SlurryBugs inoculant for improved slurry digestion.

SLURRYBUGS CALCULATOR

Use this simple calculator to work out how many bags of SlurryBugs you will need

MuckMaster

Muck Master – Improving Farmyard Manure Management

If you’re handling solid manure, SlurryBugs’ sister product, Muck Master, speeds up decomposition, improving its handling and fertiliser value.

Trials have shown that Muck Master:

  • Increases volume reduction by 136% – reducing the bulk of manure stored
  • Boosts nutrient retention – keeping more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium available for crops
  • Creates a looser, aerated texture – making manure easier to handle and spread

Treated manure also showed a 10x increase in ammonia nitrogen, stabilised at a neutral pH (7.5), and encouraged higher levels of earthworms and soil life, boosting soil fertility.

Why Use SlurryBugs & Muck Master on Your Farm?

  • Reduce mixing time and effort – less hassle when handling slurry
  • Make the most of on-farm nutrients – cut back on expensive fertiliser
  • Keep slurry and manure in top condition – preventing problems before they start
  • Simple and cost-effective – easy to apply, with long-lasting benefits
  • We’re the original 

Both SlurryBugs and Muck Master offer a practical, science-backed way to get more from your slurry and manure, making handling easier and improving your farm’s nutrient cycle.

MuckMaster organic manure additive for manure decomposition and soil health.

Each 1kg bag will treat a 50 m3 pile of manure. 

A pile of 10m long, 5m wide and 4m tall is 100m3

How do I apply it? 

The additive can be applied as a powder or after mixing in warm water before applying. If mixing with water, some of the microorganisms have been dried down onto a granular substrate which is not soluble, so do not worry about this sedimenting at the bottom. 

Spread the additive evenly over the pile, ideally at approximately 3/4 of the final height. The moisture and heat within the pile will quickly activate the bacteria and fungal strains. As rain water leaches through the pile the microorganisms will be spread evenly throughout the pile.

EnviroSystems SlurryBugs inoculant for improved slurry digestion and nutrient management.

What evidence do you have? 

Muck Master was trialled across 2 sites, using fresh horse manure as the substrate. 

In a controlled covered environment, the additive showed an ability to increase the rate at which the pile reduced in volume by 136%, whilst reducing the density by 30%. This confirms the acceleration of decomposition, resulting in a more concentrated yet loose and aerated material. It also reached neutral pH (7.5) faster and had a greater electrical conductivity, suggesting a higher ionic content. 

In terms of nutrient profile, the treated pile showed almost a 10x increase in ammonia nitrogen concentration against the control, and saw significant increases in nitrate concentration whilst the control remained undetectable. Combined this demonstrates a conversion from organic into plant available nitrogen. The control sample showed a gradual reduction in Phosphorus and Potassium levels, whilst the treated sample retained the majority of its starting concentration. 

In an open pile experiment, similar results were seen in terms of volume reduction and density changes, alongside a visibly more soil-like texture. The pile also contained less yellowed fermented material in the core, which is a result of the increased aeration of the pile as the density reduces. This also led to an increase in the presence of worms and insects, further enhancing decomposition. 

Soil compost and organic matter for sustainable waste management and soil enrichment.

Will it work on equestrian Manures?

Muck Master was designed to break down the fibrous content of solid manures, this means it works equally well on farmyard manures and in the equestrian industry, with a range of bedding materials. 

In fact, it was tested on equestrian manures containing wood based bedding materials, and the data talks for itself. It successfully sped up decomposition, reduced the pile size, and increased the plant available nutrients, making storage easier whilst enriching the fertiliser quality.