Farmers to receive warning text if at risk of exceeding nitrate limits

Farmers whose cattle numbers are at risk of exceeding nitrates regulation limits will receive a warning text message in the coming days.

The warning text will cover the nine-month period Jan to Sept 2013.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued similar interim nitrogen and phosphorus statements earlier this year, covering the six-month period January to June.

Nitrogen and phosphorus statements for the period from Jan 1 to Sept 30 are to be available online from today for all farmers registered with agfood.ie.

Farmers not already registered for agfood.ie can do so by logging onto www.agfood.ie and clicking the ‘Register’ button.

“These N&P statements are a valuable tool, especially for the more intensive farmers, and should assist them in deciding whether or not they need to change their farming practices before the end of the year to stay within the limits set down in the nitrates regulations,” said a department spokesperson.

To register a mobile phone number for future SMS text alerts, farmers can log onto agriculture.gov.ie/mobileupdates and access the sign-on form. Alternatively, contact the regional office.

If a herd owner does not have access to online or SMS text alert notification services, the interim N&P statements can be obtained from the regional offices or from the department’s Nitrates Section, Johnstown Castle, Wexford.