The 3rd Nitrates Directive programme and beyond

Importance of grazed grass (93% of ag. area) Grass €80/t DM Grass silage silage €150/t DM Concs €270/ t DM

Irelands dairy industry Grass based EU milk production 18,000 farms producing 7.2 billion litres 5.3% of EU dairy cows producing 4.5% of EU milk

Whole territory approach (N and P) Managing Nutrients Whole territory approach (N and P) Core principles Application limit of 170 kg N/ha/yr from livestock manure N and P fertilisation rates in the Regulations cannot be exceeded Grassland fertilisation rates based on stocking rate In the case of grazing livestock take account of: N and P in livestock manures over storage period P in concentrates fed to grazing livestock (additional calculations required)

Controls Legislation S.I No. 31 of 2014 European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations Interdepartmental and interagency co-operation Local Authorities and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Enforcement Cross compliance Derogation

Irelands Derogation Commission Decisions of 2007, 2010 ,2014 Derogation up to 250 kg N/ha/yr Holdings with at least 80% grass Annual application to Competent Authority (DAFM) Long growing season - Grass growth virtually all year round High N uptake - High yield potential of grass High net precipitation - 540 mm

Agricultural Catchments Programme Research Highlights Nutrient use efficiency increasing Decreasing % of excessively high P soils Closed spreading period is effective in reducing nutrient losses Significant climate effect on losses Contact with an agricultural advisor OR advisor plus farmer discussion group has a positive effect on NMP adoption Pathway important Lag times

Standard v Simple

Motivation to follow opinion or advice regarding changing farm practices Mean Scores (1 to 5)

Targeted additional measures GLAS – 45% of all actions benefit water quality, incl. NMP TAMS – improving nutrient management and nutrient use efficiency

Targeted additional measures Knowledge exchange improving understanding of environmental and economic efficiencies (ACP) Breeding programmes Economic breeding Index Beef data genomics programme Grass breeding (PBI)

Summary Grass based production systems Strong action programme (N and P) Nutrient use efficiency increasing Photo courtesy Teagasc

Summary Targeted use of resources Simplification key Collaboration vital