REPS farms must cut back from full stock rate

FULLY stocked REPS farmers must reduce their nitrogen fertilisation from 3.78 bags of CAN to 2.33 bags per acre, to comply with the new Nitrates Regulations which take effect from February 1.

According to the Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA), the farmers must get rid of some livestock, or acquire extra land, in order to stay within the new laws.

The ACA said all farmers are now effectively limited by a nitrogen quota. Even a REPS farmer with 50 cows and 12 followers on 100 acres would see his annual nitrogen quota slashed from 19 tonnes of CAN to 11 tonnes, a 42% drop.

Typically, the slurry tank must be expanded by 30% in traditional open yard and slurry tank systems.

Intensive dairy farmers will be hard hit, with heavy nitrogen users (250 units per acre) having to cut back by 53%.

“REPS farmers should talk to their advisers about the practical steps that must be taken to ensure compliance with the Nitrates Regulations,” said Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan last week.

She said they must adjust to new rules setting strict requirements for storage for animal manure and restricting manure spreading periods.

The Regulations also establish buffer zones around watercourses, in which no fertiliser can be spread. With slurry spreading banned within 200 metres of watercourse, only one third of some farms in Co Cavan can be used for slurry spreading, according to local TD, Seymour Crawford (Fine Gael).

New REPS specifications in line with the Nitrates Regulations will be issued, said Minister Coughlan, and her Department will also issue an explanatory booklet which will explain the new rules clearly and simply. It will be sent to all farmers.

Minister Coughlan urged all farmers to use organic fertiliser from other farms whenever possible, instead of chemical fertiliser.

In particular, where the phosphorus index of their soil allows it, they should be ready to take in pig manure.

“Farmers will be saving money in this way,” she said, “and just as importantly, they will be helping other farmers who have more organic fertiliser than they can use on their own land.”

Meanwhile, the Teagasc Authority has announced it will explore the possibility of negotiating an EU derogation from Phosphorus regulations with the Departments of Agriculture and Food and of Environment.

A nitrogen derogation for Ireland has already been proposed.