Testimonial: M.Prigent – Saint-Vougay, France
Mr. Prigent is a dairy farmer in Saint-Vougay, Finistère (29), where he runs a 90-cow operation on 85 hectares.
When the time came to replace his aging slurry tanker, he turned to his dealer, Armoricaine – SERA 3000, to find a solution suited to his needs.
On their advice, he chose a PICHON SV10 tonne fitted with the TSB1 trailing shoe boom.
On the occasion of the demonstration organized on his farm on April 23, 2025, we went to meet him to get his impressions of his new equipment and his feedback from the field.
Why did you choose the TSB1 trailing shoe boom?
“My previous slurry tanker was over 30 years old, so it was time to renew the equipment. I knew that a trailing shoe system was a significant investment, but it’s clearly a solution we’ll all have to move towards sooner or later. So I figured it was better to make the switch now—especially since I was eligible for financial support,” explains Mr. Prigent.
Funding the investment
Mickaël was supported by the Chamber of Agriculture in Morlaix to explore available funding solutions. Two schemes were considered: Agri Invest and FranceAgriMer.
He ultimately chose FranceAgriMer, as it was better suited to individual farming operations. Thanks to this programme (which has been suspended since December 2024), he was able to benefit from a 40% enhanced grant, without the requirement for a Disaster Reserve (DPA).
What benefits have you observed so far?
“I noticed a fast response in my grasslands right after the first applications this season. This spreading method really boosted root development – the regrowth was strong. It allowed me to rotate my herd more quickly across the paddocks,” explains Mickaël.
He also points out that the slurry is now better homogenized thanks to the addition of a vertical distributor, and that spreading is much more even compared to his previous, highly emissive equipment (palette nozzle system).
He adds: “The hose kit option mounted on the TSB1 and connected to the rear valve of the tanker allows me to pump slurry from narrow or hard-to-access areas on the farm. It also makes it easier to transfer slurry between two separate storage locations.”
What would you say to a farmer considering investing in this type of equipment?
“The trailing shoe system means less odor, no noise, and most importantly, better incorporation — the slurry stays on the ground, not on the leaves. For my small paddocks, the format is ideal.
That said, to be honest, it’s an investment, it’s heavier, and it requires some care and precision when operating. But in my view, it’s definitely worth it.”
