As heavy rainfall continues to batter the country, farmers and contractors are hoping for an extension to the slurry spreading date of 15 October.

Over the last number of weeks, the country has experienced heavy periods of rainfall, compounding grazing conditions on farms.

This has led to farmers housing cattle earlier than expected and the bad weather is preventing many from getting slurry out of tanks.

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Last year, farmers were in a similar predicament, when wet weather affected slurry spreading. Given Ireland's new Nitrates Action Programme is up for renewal this year, there is an uncertain future regarding our nitrates situation.

The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has sought an extension to the deadline from 15 October to the last day of October.

FCI members have reported that the exceptional rainfall in recent weeks has caused flooding of farmland in many areas or has left land waterlogged and liable to severe damage by machinery.

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