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New rules for NI farmers on slurry spreading, phosphorus fertiliser and nitrogen excretion rates come into effect during 2020 as part of the Nutrient Action Plan (NAP) 2019-2022.
One of the most significant changes is the move away from spreading slurry with splash plates.
The first step takes place on 1 February 2020 when all digestate from anaerobic digestion (AD) plants will have to be spread with low-emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE), such as trailing shoes/hoses, dribble bars and soil injection.
From 1 February 2021, all slurry contractors in NI will have to use LESSE, and a year later, from 1 February 2022, around 1,100 farmers in NI who have over 200 livestock units (20,000kg N for pig farms) will no longer be able to use splash plates.
DAERA guidance states that if it is not practical to spread slurry on a sloping field with LESSE, an inverted splash plate can be used instead. However, records of this must be kept for inspection by the NI Environment Agency (NIEA).
P fertiliser
Other rule changes under NAP came into effect earlier this week on 1 January 2020. This includes the need for a fertilisation plan on farms that spread chemical phosphorus (P) fertiliser or anaerobic digestate.
A fertilisation plan must include results of a soil analysis which shows a need for P fertiliser to be applied to the soil. Other details required in the plan include livestock numbers, total nitrogen (N) and P available from livestock manure, foreseeable crop requirements for N and P, records of past fertiliser applications and records of slurry exports and imports.
The increased rate for cows means that more NI dairy farms will be pushed over the 170kg/ha N loading limit
Farmers planning to spread chemical P fertiliser or anaerobic digestate need to carry out soil analysis in advance – the winter is generally seen as the best time to do this.
Fertilisation plans for the calendar year need to be ready for inspection by 30 June of the following year and the records must be retained for at least five years.
DAERA points out that with the need to have a fertilisation plan to spread P fertiliser now part of cross-compliance, a breach of this rule during an inspection by NIEA can lead to Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) penalties.
Slurry stores
Other changes from 1 January 2020 under NAP include all newly constructed above-ground slurry stores must be fitted with a cover, and supplementary feeding sites for livestock must be at least 20m from waterways.
Also, when the open period for slurry spreading begins on 1 February 2020, new maximum application rates and buffer zone widths will apply until the end the of the month.
The maximum application rate drops from 50m³/ha to 30m³/ha (2,700 gallons/ac) and the buffer zone increases from 10m to 15m for spreading near a waterway, and from 20m to 30m when spreading near lakes.
The same changes that apply during the month of February also take effect from 30 September to 15 October.
Nitrogen rate changes for NI dairy farms
A key change under the new NAP from 1 January 2020 is the organic manure nitrogen (N) excretion rate for NI dairy cows has increased from 91kg to 100kg/cow.
For most types of young dairy stock and beef-bred cattle, N excretion rates under the NAP are now slightly lower than before.
The increased rate for cows means that more NI dairy farms will be pushed over the 170kg/ha N loading limit.
For example, a 170ac dairy farm with 100 dairy cows, 25 in-calf heifers, 50 calves and a breeding bull previously had a total N loading rate of 165kg/ha. However, this has increased to 175kg/ha with the revised N excretion rates under the new NAP.
An online tool for working out total N loading rate is available on DAERA online services under “CAFRE Nutrient Calculator”.
If a farm has a total N loading rate over the 170kg/ha limit, there are several options to consider; reduce stocking rate (by keeping less livestock or farming more land), export slurry off the farm or apply for a nitrates derogation.
Requirements
Under a nitrates derogation, the maximum manure N limit that a farm is permitted to have increases from 170kg/ha to 250kg/ha.
Derogated farms must be at least 80% grassland and are required to have spread at least 50% of their slurry by 15 June. Low-emission spreading equipment must be used on derogated farms for any slurry applied after this date.
A fertilisation plan for the current calendar year must be prepared and retained for inspection by 1 March. In addition, an online fertilisation account for the previous calendar year must be submitted to DAERA by 1 March.
Derogated farms are also required to calculate a phosphorous (P) balance by subtracting the total P exported off the farm in milk and cattle sales, from P imported onto the farm through purchases of concentrates, fertiliser and straw.
Slurry exports
For farmers that export slurry, records for the previous calendar year must be submitted online to DAERA by 31 January. These include details of the type and quantity of slurry, the transporter’s name and address, as well as the importing farmer’s name and business ID.
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