There is probably not another regulation that infuriates farmers as much as calender farming in relation to spreading organic manures. While most farmers see the benefit of having sufficient storage, it is the strict adherence to spreading times that is causing an issue. There is a serious issue happening now where ground has reached its field capacity with excessive rainfalls, and the slurry tanks are full.
It would be better to spread in the right conditions in the closed period than the wrong conditions in the open period. There is a facility in the nitrates regulations to spread slurry between 1-15 October conditional on:
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Exceptional weather conditions leading up to closed period must be demonstrated.
The Moorepark St Gilles Grass Growth Model must demonstrate sufficient grass growth for nutrient uptake.
No heavy rain forecast.
Consideration may also be given to the situation pertaining on farms.
I’d suggest that as long as farmers have their storage requirements that such a model is used within the entire closed period as a safeguard against adverse conditions in the open period. Also, from what I can see, most dairy farmers use slurry storage facilities to store their soiled water. In my opinion, as long as tanks are emptied by 1 October it would make sense that while dairy cows are at grass, they should be allowed to spread this slurry/dairy washings mix produced post 1 October within the closed period.
I’d propose that upon verification of required storage being met for stock that flexibility be allowed. I’m sure with all the technology existing and with the right will, a method could be found between Department of Agriculture, Met Éireann and research bodies to make this happen.
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DEAR EDITOR
There is probably not another regulation that infuriates farmers as much as calender farming in relation to spreading organic manures. While most farmers see the benefit of having sufficient storage, it is the strict adherence to spreading times that is causing an issue. There is a serious issue happening now where ground has reached its field capacity with excessive rainfalls, and the slurry tanks are full.
It would be better to spread in the right conditions in the closed period than the wrong conditions in the open period. There is a facility in the nitrates regulations to spread slurry between 1-15 October conditional on:
Exceptional weather conditions leading up to closed period must be demonstrated.
The Moorepark St Gilles Grass Growth Model must demonstrate sufficient grass growth for nutrient uptake.
No heavy rain forecast.
Consideration may also be given to the situation pertaining on farms.
I’d suggest that as long as farmers have their storage requirements that such a model is used within the entire closed period as a safeguard against adverse conditions in the open period. Also, from what I can see, most dairy farmers use slurry storage facilities to store their soiled water. In my opinion, as long as tanks are emptied by 1 October it would make sense that while dairy cows are at grass, they should be allowed to spread this slurry/dairy washings mix produced post 1 October within the closed period.
I’d propose that upon verification of required storage being met for stock that flexibility be allowed. I’m sure with all the technology existing and with the right will, a method could be found between Department of Agriculture, Met Éireann and research bodies to make this happen.
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