Teagasc research finds streams free of slurry in ‘closed period’

The absence of livestock waste in streams means farmers did not spread slurry during the closed period, a Teagasc study suggests.

Research from the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme found that there was little evidence of livestock slurry in streams following the end of the ‘closed period’ for slurry spreading from October 15 to mid to end-January, depending on the region.

Mairéad Shore, hydrochemist with the Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme, said: “This research finding is based on over four years of detailed data collected in the agricultural catchments during storms when surface runoff is expected, and shows, very precisely, the nutrient concentrations of water flowing out of the catchments.