REPS

Non-spreading periods

The end of October brings the end of spreading farm yard manure (FYM) in REPS. FYM, spent mushroom compost and poultry manure shall not be spread between 1 November and 31 January in each year of the plan.

Where a previous season's production of these manures is to be retained over the winter, there must be sufficient storage for this, in addition to the current year's production.

Field storage of FYM

Where FYM is traditionally taken onto land and stored in a heap for composting, this practice may continue, provided the manure is stored in a compact heap at least two metres high, located not less than 50 metres from any waterbody, public road, domestic well or watercourse and 300 metres from any public water supply source.

Field storage of FYM shall be avoided in situations where, for example, there is a thin soil overlay to gravel or fissured limestone formations, or in any other circumstances where there is a high risk of polluting groundwaters.

Good farming practice (GFP)

Under GFP, farmers should not spread slurry or dungstead manure in the months of November and December.

No slurry spreading in REPS

Slurry applications shall not take place between 1 October and 15 January.

Soiled water and dairy washings

Soiled water is normally disposed of by land spreading and this can take place all the year round, where conditions are suitable and pollution risks are minimal. Landspreading may have to be deferred for long periods, where soils are saturated or have a thin soil overlay, underlain by permeable strata.

Because we are in the non-growing season, it is best not to apply nutrients from fertiliser or slurry, whatever the weather.