Ammonia-reduction tech for dairy farms wins recognition

The CowToilet, developed by Dutch agri-tech company Hanskamp, was awarded Gold in the Future Innovation for Environmental Benefit of the Year category and Bronze in the Livestock/Dairy Innovation of the Year category.

The awards celebrate the most forward-thinking advancements in farm machinery and technology, recognising businesses that deliver meaningful progress and practical benefits for agriculture.

Commenting on the achievement, Hanskamp founder Henk Hanskamp said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised with not just one, but two LAMMA Innovation Awards. These awards highlight that the CowToilet offers a new, practical approach to ammonia reduction.

“Farmers are under huge pressure to meet environmental targets, and our aim has always been to create technology that makes this easier, not harder, while supporting good cow welfare and efficient, profitable farming.”

Fresh from its awards success, the CowToilet is set to make its UK debut at LAMMA 2026, offering dairy farmers a practical tool to reduce ammonia emissions by up to 33%, improve nutrient-use efficiency and support on-farm sustainability.

Developed by Hanskamp, the CowToilet separates cow urine and faeces before they mix, preventing the chemical reaction that produces ammonia. Using the natural reflex that cows never urinate and defecate at the same time, the system gently stimulates urination by rubbing against the suspensory ligament of the udder. Urine is collected immediately into a sealed receptacle, extracted by suction and stored in an airtight tank.

Independent research from Wageningen Livestock Research shows that separating urine and faeces can reduce ammonia emissions by up to 38%, total nitrogen emissions by 33%, and nitrous oxide emissions by 18%. These reductions make the CowToilet one of the most promising technologies for helping dairy farmers meet tightening environmental regulations without compromising productivity.

In addition to cutting emissions, the CowToilet helps farmers make better use of on-farm nutrients by capturing nitrogen-rich urine, which can be reused as a natural fertiliser or even sold. Separating urine from solid waste also keeps housing cleaner, improves air quality and contributes to better animal health and hygiene.

“Housing stays cleaner, air quality improves, and farmers gain more control over nutrient flows,” Mr Hanskamp explained.

Developed in close collaboration with Dutch livestock farmers, engineers, and researchers, the CowToilet is already operating successfully on more than 35 dairy farms in the Netherlands, delivering strong results and positive feedback from farmers.

Each CowToilet unit serves 25 cows and costs approximately £28,000, excluding installation.

“This technology is about more than meeting regulations,” Mr Hanskamp added. “It’s about giving farmers tools that support animal health, profitability and sustainability. The CowToilet proves that innovation and sustainable farming can go hand in hand.”