Nitrate directive reduces amount of phosphorus

AS a result of the nitrate directive, the maximum fertiliser phosphorous (P) that can be applied has been reduced significantly.

Furthermore, the regulations specify that every 100 kg of feedstuff fed to grazing livestock is equal to 0.5kg of P spread on a hectare of land.

The new maximum permitted for P may reduce production and profitability on some farms. The restrictions are particularly severe for certain types of farm enterprises such as winter milk production. There is a special P allowance for reseeds this year.