Pig Slurry Grows Grass!

That is the opinion of Norman Robson, a leading pig and beef producer from Doagh in Co Antrim. In addition to running a large birth to bacon unit the Robson family also own a pedigree Charolais and Simmental suckler herd. The slurry produced by the pigs plays an integral part in the management of the suckler herd producing grass for both silage and grazing. The pig slurry is also used on the farm to ‘thin down’ thick cattle slurry. Norman feels that this is a useful practice on two counts; firstly, it eases spreading and secondly, additional Nitrogen is being added and both give a quicker response for grass growth.

Pig slurry is a valuable fertiliser as it is a good source of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. On the Robson farm pig slurry is the only fertiliser used on silage ground. The first application of pig slurry is applied to silage ground at the end of February/beginning of March. Grazing ground receives alternate applications of a light dressing of pig slurry and straight Nitrogen.  A 2000 gallon tanker of undiluted pig slurry is worth approximately £25. The use of pig slurry on the Robson farm has greatly reduced the fertiliser bill.

Under the Nitrates Directive chemical (bagged) Phosphorus cannot be applied unless a soil test is carried out and the results indicate Phosphorus is required. If bagged Phosphorus is used extra records have to be kept including the amount of fertiliser applied, individual field details, crop requirement and soil analysis results. Although Phosphorus can be applied through pig slurry without the need for a soil test it is advisable to get soil samples taken on a regular basis to determine soil fertility. Farmers importing slurry need to record how much slurry is imported, date it is imported and from which farmer. Under IPPC the type of records required and the need for soil sampling may differ for importing and exporting farms.

Pig slurry can be a valuable asset on a cattle farm. The majority of cattle farmers are sufficiently under the 170 KG/ha livestock manure N limit to allow pig slurry to be imported onto their farm under the Nitrates Directive. If you would like more information on the value of pig slurry or work out how much slurry you can import onto your farm please contact your local Development Adviser.

Liz Donnelly, Greenmount Campus, discussing the benefits of pig slurry with beef producer Norman Robson