A ban on the post-harvest application of nitrogen-rich organic manures on tillage lands not destined for a winter brassica has also been recommended by senior officials.
There could be no requirement to carry out stubble cultivation on lands harvested from September under new proposals. \ Donal O'Leary
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The interdepartmental Nitrates Expert Group has recommended changes that the shallow cultivation requirements currently in place for stubble after tillage harvesting will “no longer apply to crops harvested after the end of August” in the next Nitrates Action Programme. However, the group also proposed that the mandatory shallow cultivation of tillage lands after harvest should be extended to parcels “destined for sowing of winter cereals or beans”, except winter rape.
It sought to maintain the requirement for at least 20% of a farmer’s tillage area to remain uncultivated to allow space for birds and has said that research will inform any changes to this element of stubble cultivation rules. The group also wants a ban on the post-harvest land application of “organic fertilisers with high nitrogen content and highly available nitrogen forms”.
The restriction sought would include sludges, biosolids, poultry manure, sheep slurry and pig slurry. It was proposed that land “destined for or sown to” winter oilseed rape and other brassica crops would be exempted from these restrictions.
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The group also advised that where organic fertilisers of low nitrogen content/availability are applied post-harvest, they should have to be incorporated into soil and have a crop sown.
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Title: Proposed changes to green cover rules
A ban on the post-harvest application of nitrogen-rich organic manures on tillage lands not destined for a winter brassica has also been recommended by senior officials.
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The interdepartmental Nitrates Expert Group has recommended changes that the shallow cultivation requirements currently in place for stubble after tillage harvesting will “no longer apply to crops harvested after the end of August” in the next Nitrates Action Programme. However, the group also proposed that the mandatory shallow cultivation of tillage lands after harvest should be extended to parcels “destined for sowing of winter cereals or beans”, except winter rape.
It sought to maintain the requirement for at least 20% of a farmer’s tillage area to remain uncultivated to allow space for birds and has said that research will inform any changes to this element of stubble cultivation rules. The group also wants a ban on the post-harvest land application of “organic fertilisers with high nitrogen content and highly available nitrogen forms”.
The restriction sought would include sludges, biosolids, poultry manure, sheep slurry and pig slurry. It was proposed that land “destined for or sown to” winter oilseed rape and other brassica crops would be exempted from these restrictions.
The group also advised that where organic fertilisers of low nitrogen content/availability are applied post-harvest, they should have to be incorporated into soil and have a crop sown.
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