Regulations adjusted for extra fodder growth

Temporary adjustments to nitrates regulations have been announced, in order to support additional fodder production on farms.

In recognition of the severe difficulties being experienced by farmers due to shortage of fodder and the serious risk of a further shortage this autumn and winter, there has been a discounting of some concentrate feeding when calculating the level of phosphorus allowed on grassland farms in 2013 and 2014.

And there is an extension of two weeks to the period during with chemical fertiliser can be applied to grassland.

Nitrates regulations require that chemical fertiliser phosphorus is reduced, wherever concentrates are fed.

But some of the high levels of meal feeding which was necessary over the past year on farms is now being discounted, because many farmers were left with a significantly reduced phosphorus allowance.

Normally, for every tonne of concentrate fed, the maximum amount for application of available fertiliser in the form of phosphorus is reduced by 5kg.

Phosphorous is essential for grass growth, and the amendment announced yesterday by Environment Minister Phil Hogan and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will result in the first half-tonne of concentrate fed per 85kg of nitrogen excreted (that is, per each dairy cow or livestock equivalent equalling 85kg of nitrogen excretion) being discounted when calculating fertiliser allowances.

Farmers are advised to take the total nitrogen excretion figure provided for their holding in their annual nitrogen and phosphorous statement, and divide by 170.

This figure is the number of tonnes of concentrate that can be discounted on their holding, in calculating the maximum application rates.

“I am prepared to allow the application of chemical fertilisers to continue for an extra two weeks, up to and including September 30, 2013,” said Mr Hogan. “I am anxious to ensure that we prolong the grass growth period for as long as possible this year, given the slow growth rates at the moment.” He warned that protection of water courses remains of paramount importance, and application of fertilisers remains conditional on weather and ground conditions being suitable.

Mr Coveney said, “As we move away from an emergency fodder situation in the short term, it is important that we focus on the need to target additional forage production this summer.”