A new condition contained in the recently approved nitrates derogation could see the upper stocking rate limit drop to 220kg organic nitrogen per hectare on derogation farms.

The nitrates derogation granted in March permits farmers to stock their farm up to a maximum of 250kg of organic nitrogen per hectare, but this could be cut in 2024 pending the outcome of the mid-term review of water quality trends.

This review, based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality data, could see a major cut to stocking rate limits on dairy and beef farms by 2024, or a scramble to secure extra land in order to remain compliant.

The implications of the mid-term review were not communicated to farmers at the time the derogation was granted.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department of Agriculture is waiting for 2021 water quality results to be published by the EPA before deciding on what targets to set for the 2023 mid-term review.

These targets will be decided by the nitrates expert group, made up of members from the EPA, Department of Agriculture, Teagasc and the Department of Housing and Local Government.

Water quality

It is understood that water quality in rivers and eutrophication levels in estuaries will be used to determine whether the derogation will be reduced on a catchment by catchment basis.

At 220kg organic N/ha, a typical dairy farm would need to be stocked at less than one cow per acre while a high-yielding herd would need 1.2 acres for every cow in order to remain compliant.

The review of the scientific tables contained in the nitrates directive is ongoing, with a report by Teagasc expected later this year likely to suggest a substantial increase in slurry storage requirements per cow.