PA185/A/08 Make The Most Of Your Slurry Storage Facilities
2 September 2008
As we move towards the autumn / winter period, it is time to prepare for the 14 week closed spreading period. You can not spread organic manures (excluding farm yard manure (FYM) and dirty water) between 15 October and 31 January.
Empty your tanks for the new winter.
Make the most of the storage available on your farm. Start the housing period with your tanks empty. Leaving just 600mm of slurry in a tank measuring 10m wide by 24m long, equates to one month's storage on a 70 cow dairy farm. Take the opportunity to apply, where practical, on reseeds, aftermaths and on swards with long rotations. Increased winter storage for a spring application, contributes significantly to grass growth and cost effective production, but also brings about environmental benefits. Remember to land spread slurry in suitable weather conditions and ground conditions.
Reduce water going into your tanks.
Do not waste storage capacity. Why store rainwater? Look at all guttering and downpipes around your farmyard and repair as necessary. In many slurry systems dirty water, such as run-off from yards and washings from buildings, is directed into the slurry tank. Prevent rainwater from roofs or clean concrete areas getting into slurry tanks and stores.
Is the minimum storage capacity enough on your farm?
You are required under the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) to have sufficient capacity to store slurry for a minimum of 26 weeks for pig and poultry enterprises and 22 weeks for all other enterprises. However, remember that weather and ground conditions are major factors in defining when you can apply slurry. This is especially the case in areas of high rainfall or where land is wet.
More information and practical advice on collecting and storing organic wastes can be found in the new Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Prevention of Pollution of Water, Air and Soil.
Notes to Editors
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