IFA urges silage effluent vigilance

THE IFA has urged farmers to be vigilant during the current silage season to ensure effluent is safely managed and that it poses no risk to water quality.

Environment committee chairman Tom Dunne said directly ensiled grass can produce peak effluent flows of up to 30 litres per tonne per day, for the first few days after ensiling.

Farmers need to ensure that effluent collection tanks don’t overflow and that channels and drains are working properly.