Survey shows farmers starting to get on board with nitrates rule changes

The measures include new closed periods for spreading slurry and chemical fertiliser.

A small survey of dairy farmers last January indicated that many didn't know exactly how much nitrogen they spread per hectare. They knew how many tonnes they bought, but were unclear on the kilos of nitrogen per hectare, despite it being a vital figure that determines which nitrates regulations (including derogation) apply on each farm.

However, the survey findings showed that farmers in derogation had a better knowledge of their nitrogen per hectare. But all farmers must now get to grips better with these figures, so that they can ensure they are compliant with the 10% cut in nitrogen applications, which is one of the newer nitrate regulations this year.