Slurry nitrogen content changes to restrict farms more than banding
To be able to deal with the new regulations, it is important that each dairy farmer knows how they will be impacted, if at all. Picture: Andrew Linscott.
The change in the nitrogen content of slurry is having a larger impact than herds moving into the high milk yield band, according to a Teagasc analysis of changing nitrates regulations which will restrict cow numbers on many dairy farms this year.
According to Teagasc Agricultural Catchments Programme Specialist Edward Burgess, a Catchments Programme case study showed that moving into the high band (106kg of N/cow) did not necessarily result in exceeding the farm stocking rate limits set at 170 or 250 kg of N/hectare.
