It’s a requirement of the Nitrates Directive that farms in a derogation are soil-sampled at least every five years.

By right, every farm should be soil-sampled every two years. Now is the time to organise samples. They should be taken three months after the last application of P or K.

If lime was spread within two years of sampling, pH results may be off. Sticking with nitrates, the deadline for returning forms for exporting slurry is 31 December.

Farmers on the limit for organic nitrogen (170kg/ha for no derogation, 250kg/ha with a derogation) should ensure they have filled in and returned the form if they exported slurry during the year. Otherwise they are likely to be fined on their BPS.

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