The award-winning CowToilet is making its UK debut at LAMMA and Dairy Tech 2026, offering dairy farmers a practical solution to reduce ammonia emissions, improve nutrient efficiency, and enhance on-farm sustainability.
Developed by Dutch agri-tech firm Hanskamp, the system separates cow urine and faeces, the primary source of ammonia emissions when combined. Using the simple biological fact that cows do not urinate and defecate simultaneously, the CowToiletcollects urine directly from under the cow’s tail before it mixes with solid manure.
The technology has already earned recognition in the LAMMA Innovation Awards 2026, winning Gold for Future Innovation for Environmental Benefit and Bronze in the Livestock/Dairy Innovation category.
Integrated into free-access out-of-parlour feeding stations, the CowToilet gently stimulates urination via a natural nerve reflex when cows enter to feed. Collected urine is removed by suction and stored in an airtight tank for use as a nitrogen-rich fertiliser or potential sale, while solid manure retains phosphate and organic matter for soil health.
Research from Wageningen Livestock Research demonstrates that separating urine and faeces can reduce ammonia emissions by up to 38%, total nitrogen by 33%, and nitrous oxide by 18% compared with conventional systems. Keeping waste streams separate also improves housing cleanliness, air quality, and overall animal health.
“Ammonia is one of the biggest environmental challenges in livestock farming,” says Hanskamp founder Henk Hanskamp. “We designed a system that works with nature, enhances animal welfare, and helps farmers meet environmental targets without increasing workload. The CowToilet achieves this in a simple, natural, and effective way.”
Developed in collaboration with Dutch livestock farmers, engineers, and researchers including Wageningen University’s Paul Galama, the CowToilet is already operating on over 35 farms in the Netherlands with strong results and positive farmer feedback.
Each unit serves around 25 cows and costs approximately £28,000, excluding installation. The system provides farmers with a tangible way to combine sustainability, animal health, and profitability, making it a notable addition to precision dairy farming in the UK.
Farmers can see the CowToilet in action at LAMMA and Dairy Tech 2026, where Hanskamp will demonstrate how technology and natural animal behaviour can work together to reduce emissions and optimise nutrient management.
Related news:
