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The closed period for spreading slurry and chemical fertiliser ends for most of the country on either 13 or 16 January (Friday or Monday).
For counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan, spreading is not permitted until 1 February. There is excellent value in spreading slurry in early spring; worth about eight units of nitrogen for every 1,000 gallons spread per acre, along with adding phosphorus and potassium.
After a mild winter, there is more grass around than normal.
You do no’t want to be spreading slurry on paddocks that you intend grazing in the next six weeks, especially if there is a cover of any more than 500kg or 600kg/ha on it. Some people will go with the trailing shoe on some of the higher covers, but in terms of improving nitrogen efficiency, there isn’t much more of an advantage of the trailing shoe or injector at this time of year.
The general recommendation is to spread one third of the farm with slurry and spread 23 units (half-bag) of urea on the remainder.
The earlier this is applied, the more grass you will grow. Of course, it depends on weather.
Do not spread when any more than 5mm or 6mm of rain is forecast within the next 24 to 48 hours. Ground conditions are generally good for the time of year, with less rainfall than normal in December and January in most places, so you should be able to get out with tankers on most farms.
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