Fertilizer application rules has changed in Northern Ireland

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA, part of the Northern Ireland Executive) has agreed with the European Commission to implement a new Nutrients Action Programme.

As follows from the document, farmers spreading slurry will have to increase the buffer zones in the fields adjacent the waterways. The maximum slurry application rate has been reduced from 50 to 30 cubic meters per 1 ha at any one time.

On dairy farms, the nitrogen excretion rate has been increased from 91 to 100 kg per 1 cow, however the nitrogen excretion rates for other categories of cattle have reduced slightly.

The rules of the use of phosphorus fertilizers have become tougher: now they can only be applied where they are needed. This measure aims to prevent an excess of phosphorus in the soils.

Source: Farming Life