The deadline for spreading slurry on land this year is fast approaching. The closed period for the land-spreading of slurry will commence on 31 October this year. Normally the closed period begins on 15 October. This prohibition date was pushed back by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy because “of the highly unusual weather conditions in the spring and summer of 2018”.

In an announcement made in early August, the Minister said that a wide range of agricultural experts and farm organisations sought the flexibility as it may, if weather conditions are favourable, allow for an additional period of boosted grass growth in the autumn, which could help to mitigate the fodder challenges currently facing farmers.

As always, the absolute prohibition on land-spreading during the months of November and December remains.

An extension was also granted at the time for the spreading of chemical fertiliser.

However, farmers should note that the prohibition on spreading such fertiliser is now in place and has been since 30 September.

The final date for spreading farmyard manure (FYM) has not changed this year, with the closed period starting on 1 November 2018.

According to the Department, you must not store farmyard manure in a field during the prohibited period. You can store it in a field during the spreading season, but you must store it in a compact heap and you cannot store it within certain buffer zones, outlined on the Department’s website.

Farmyard manure is the only organic fertiliser that may be stored in a field during the spreading season.

GLAS

Farmers participating in GLAS III and who chose the coppicing or laying of hedgerows action should note the approaching deadlines to get this work done. Both actions must be completed by 30 November this year.

Before carrying out these actions, farmers should read the GLAS specifications book, which outlines how the works should be carried out.

This is important, because there are a number of rules to follow and be considered prior to starting.