Level II Agricultural Business Operations

Nutrients In Nutrients Out

 Nitrogen (N) – most important for plant growth  Phosphorus (P) – in the form of Phosphate (P 2 O 5 )  Potassium (K) – in the form of Potash (K 2 O)  Other nutrients are Sulphur (S), Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca)

 Provides information about pH, P, K  Soil sample every 4-5 years  Soil sample after 3 months from application of slurry, manure, fertiliser, lime  Correct sampling technique required

Mineral soils pH 6.0 – 6.5 Peaty soils pH 5.6

Benefits of Optimum pH / Liming  Correct pH  Nutrients in soil more available  Nutrients in fertiliser more available  Needed for ryegrass/clover  Encourage earthworms  Improves soil structure  Less weeds

Soil pH Ground Limestone/ Magnesium Limestone Granulated Lime pH 5.7kg/acre required Cost/acre£20 £45 + application pH 5.2kg/acre required Cost/acre£40 £90 + application

IndexDescription 0Deficient 1OK for extensive 2Optimum for grazing or silage. 3High >4Excessive

IndexDescription 0Deficient 1Low 2-Optimum for grazing or silage. 2+High 3 & aboveExcessive

13  31% of samples below index 2 for P  44% of samples below index 2- for K  64% of samples below 6.0 for pH  Only 18% are optimum for P, K and pH

Getting the balance right! Nutrients In Nutrients Out

4.5 m³ (1000 gallons) of dairy cow slurry applied in the spring supplies:  5 kg (10 units) Nitrogen (N)  5.5 kg (11 units) Phosphate (P 2 O 5 )  14 kg (28 units) Potash (K 2 O)  Availability of Nitrogen decreases as season progresses

16 When – 1 st February – 15 th October in suitable weather & ground conditions Aim to apply slurry & manure in the same conditions and weather as when applying bagged fertiliser. Leave 3-4 days after applying slurry before applying bagged fertiliser – N loss minimised. Where – 10m from water course, 20m from lakes, 50m spring, well or borehole & 250m public water supply

17 Inverted splashplateTrailing shoe

 Better N utilisation  Produces higher grass yields ◦ Trailing Shoe + 24% ◦ Band Spreading + 16%  Less grass contamination  Slurry spreading up to 4 weeks after cutting  Can spread within 3m of watercourse rather than 10m

Nutrients In Nutrients Out Getting The Balance Right

A 50 kg bag of 20:10:10 fertiliser contains:-  20 % Nitrogen (N) - 10 kg (20 units)  10% Phosphate (P 2 O 5 ) – 5 kg (10 units)  10% Potash (K 2 O) - 5 kg (10 units)

Examples:-  (CAN)  (Superstart)  (Urea)      

22 Crop Nutrient Requirement Establish crop to be grown. Calculate nutrients required by: Referring to crop recommendations in RB209 Or Referring to DARD Crop Nutrient Recommendation Calculator at

Nutrients Required for 1 st Cut Silage P index 2 K index 2- 34m 3 /ha (3000 gallons/acre) 312kg/ha (2.5 bags 27:0:0/acre)

1. Assess nutrients available in the soil - soil analysis 2. Assess crop nutrient requirement 3. Assess nutrients supplied by slurry 4. Balance crop need with chemical fertiliser

EU Regulation Aims to improve water quality by making better use of farm nutrients

 Livestock manure Nitrogen limits ◦ What land to include ◦ How to calculate the manure Nitrogen  Storage requirements  Closed periods and spreading  Nitrogen and Phosphate fertiliser  Record keeping

 Annual stocking rate Jan-Dec  Farm limit of 170 kg N per hectare (ha) per year (Derogation to 250kg N per ha per year) How is it calculated? Total nitrogen from livestock excretions Agricultural area controlled

EnterpriseStock Numbers N Excretion per stock (kg) Total N (kg) Dairy Cows Cattle over 2 years Calves 1-2 years Cattle 0-1 year Imported/exported livestock manure 00 Total7906 Average stock numbers based on 6 counts Example:- Agricultural land area = 48 ha

7906 kg N/year produced 48 hectares = 165 kg N/ha/year Livestock manure nitrogen loading calculator

Options:  Reduce stock numbers  Farm additional land  Export livestock manure  Apply for a derogation

 Approval from EU to operate up to 250 kg N/ha/year (higher stocking rate)  Eligibility criteria for individual farms: ◦ 80% grassland ◦ 250kg N/ha/year limit (grazing enterprises) ◦ P balance under 10kg/ha  Additional plans and records required i.e. ◦ fertilisation plan ◦ fertilisation account

 22 weeks storage for slurry  26 weeks pig & poultry  Calculate using Livestock Manure Storage Calculator at or guidance workbookwww.dardni.gov.uk

 Closed periods for Fertiliser N:15 Sept – 31 Jan Slurry:15 Oct – 31 Jan FYM:31 Oct – 31 Jan Dirty water:no closed period  Strict guidelines for applying manures and fertilisers  Sludgigators are banned

 Fertiliser N Grassland- averaged over total grassland area - maximum 8.25 bags/acre Non-grassland - limits for each individual crop - establish N requirement (SNS) - account for N in slurry  Fertiliser P - must have soil analysis to show crop need - take account of P in organic manures

Basic records  Copy of SAF/IACS form  Herd/flock register (APHIS)  Fertiliser invoices  Dimensions of storage tanks Additional records required if:  Not claiming SFP on land taken (control agreement)  Importing/exporting slurry  Spreading fertiliser P

 Legislative requirement  Operate at 170 kg N/ha per year or 250 kg N/ha per year  Closed periods for fertiliser, slurry and FYM application  Minimum 22 weeks slurry storage