Prepare for the Closed Spreading Period for Slurry and Farm Yard Manures

The Nitrates Directive aims to protect water quality by ensuring the correct amount of nutrients are applied under favourable conditions and at a time that they can be used by growing crops or grass. One of the key requirements of the Nitrates Action Programme which assists in achieving this is the closed spreading period for organic manures and farmyard manure.  

The closed period prohibits organic manures, excluding dirty water, from being spread from midnight 15 October to midnight 31 January. Farmyard manure must not be applied from midnight 31 October to midnight 31 January.These periods represent the time when the risk of nutrient leaching is at its highest and there is little or no plant growth.

Before the closed spreading periods begin, you should aim to empty tanks and middens completely to make sure that you maximise your storage capacity as winter approaches. Remember that manures can only ever be applied when ground and weather conditions are suitable. There must be no spreading when the soil is waterlogged, flooded (or likely to flood), frozen, snow covered, if heavy rain is forecast or where land is steeply sloping with a significant risk of water pollution occurring. Also ensure that you keep your distance from waterways and do not spread  within 10m of a watercourse, 20m of a lake and 50m of a borehole, spring or well.

All farmers are required to have at least 22 weeks slurry/manure storage for their livestock enterprises. Pigs and poultry enterprises require a minimum of 26 weeks. By having enough tank capacity you will be able to store until the closed period has ended and in addition, have flexibility in the timing of spreading if conditions are unfavourable in early spring.

Detailed guidance can be found in a booklet about the revised Nitrates Action Programme for 2011-2014 which is available from your local DARD Direct office or alternatively you can download or view a copy online at www.dardni.gov.uk/countrysidemanagement.