Interim nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) statements (N&P statements) for the period January to April 2020 are now available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s online system at www.agfood.ie.

The statements are particularly useful in allowing farmers to keep track of organic nitrogen levels and ensure compliance with nitrates regulations limits.

There are significant penalties where farmers not availing of the nitrates derogation exceed the permitted level of 170kg organic nitrogen per hectare or where farmers availing of a derogation exceed the limit of 250kg organic N/ha.

Texts

Farmers not already registered for agfood.ie can do so by logging onto www.agfood.ie and clicking the 'Register' button.

The Department also operates a text system, whereby farmers at risk of exceeding the limits will be informed by text. This will only be carried out where your mobile phone is registered on its system.

To register a mobile phone number for future SMS text alerts, log on to www.agriculture.gov.ie/contactsupdates/ to access the sign-on form.

Changes that can be made where organic limits are likely to exceed permitted levels include increasing the area of land farmed (BPS can be amended up to 31 May), reducing stock numbers or exporting slurry.