Period allowed for spread of chemical fertilisers is extended

THE period for the spreading of chemical fertilisers, which expired on Tuesday, has been extended until September 28.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith announced the move yesterday with the agreement of Environment, Heritage and Local Government Minister John Gormley.

Mr Smith said the short extension should provide some much needed breathing space to hard pressed farm families.

“I am acutely conscious of the recent serious disruption to normal farming activity due to very poor weather conditions.

“I believe that this situation can be relieved by allowing the spread of fertilisers to continue for a further short period to boost grass growth and address a potentially very difficult fodder shortage later in the year,” he said.

Mr Smith said this extension will facilitate the late application of fertiliser that had been planned in recent weeks but was held up due to the unsuitable weather.

“This will provide farmers with the option of spreading fertiliser to boost grass growth, thereby extending the grazing season and reducing the amount of silage required over the winter,” he said.

IFA president Padraig Walshe said the extension would provide an opportunity for farmers to spread when soil conditions improve rather than rushing to meet a deadline.

“The very difficult weather conditions this year have meant that many farmers correctly choose not to spread fertiliser on lands, which has reduced crop yields and returns. This is adding to the current fodder difficulties in some parts of the country,” he said.

Mr Walshe said an extension to the fertiliser spreading period is critical to helping farmers provide winter feed to care for their livestock.

“The recently improved weather conditions are ideal to spread fertiliser and farmers can stave off a serious fodder shortage and animal welfare situation by taking advantage of this opportunity to produce extra feed,” he said.

John Comer, ICMSA, said the extension was a positive development for farmers who have experiencing considerable difficulty in spreading chemical fertilisers as a result of poor weather conditions.

It provides a commonsense solution and once again highlights the problems associated with farming by calendar, he said.