Slurry Spreading in Springtime

SPRING is the time of the year that most slurry spreading should take place. Slurry is a valuable source of nutrients for plant growth and, if used efficiently, can reduce the need for artificial fertilisers.

However, the nutrients can damage our environment if not managed correctly. For example, Phosphorus within the slurry can be washed into rivers and lakes causing eutrophication, or nitrogen can be lost through gaseous emissions.

Slurry should only be applied when soil temperatures are above six degrees Celsius and both ground conditions and the weather forecast are suitable. Avoid spreading slurry if the ground is frozen, water-logged or if heavy rain is forecast.

It is important that the applied slurry reaches the roots of plants such as grass in the growing season, preferably bare fields, or fields with low grass cover. On very heavy land it may be necessary to delay spreading until after the first cut of silage. Extra slurry storage allows more flexibility on spreading times, particularly in a very wet spring.

Spreading slurry with a trailing shoe, dribble bar, or injector system can reduce the ammonia emissions, increase nitrogen value, and reduce odours and grass contamination while allowing more flexibility regarding spreading time.

Some contractors use the umbilical (pipe) system to pump the slurry from the yard to the tractor mounted unit.

This system presents a particularly high risk to water quality if used incorrectly, as it allows slurry to be spread when a slurry tanker wouldn’t be able to travel on land due to ground conditions. While this system does reduce soil compaction, it should not be used on saturated soils as it will pose a risk to local water quality.

When applying slurry, remember to leave a buffer zone:

Cavan County Council reminds you that organic fertiliser or soiled water shall not be applied to land which is:

· Within 200 metres of an abstraction point for a water scheme which supplies 100m³ or more of water per day or 500 or more persons.

· Within 100 metres of an abstraction point for a water scheme which supplies 10m³ or more of water per day or serves 50 or more persons.

· Within 25 metres of an abstraction point not specified in points 1 or 2 above.

· Within 20 metres of a lake shore.

· Within 15 metres of exposed cavernous or karstified limestone features.

· Within 5 metres of surface watercourse. This distance is 10 metres for a period of two weeks preceding and two weeks following the periods when application of fertilisers to land is prohibited.

For further information on the Nitrates Regulations or any other queries you may have regarding protecting water quality, please contact the Environment Section of Cavan County Council on049 437 8486or by email atenviron@cavancoco.ie