The Value of Pig Slurry for Cereals

The value of pig slurry for grass production is well accepted in both improving growth and reducing inorganic (chemical) fertiliser costs.  These benefits are also available to cereal producers, but they are often not exploited.

Mark Adams from Sion Mills, County Tyrone, grows approximately 75 hectares of winter and spring cereals each year.  He also operates a birth-to-bacon pig unit and fully appreciates the benefits of pig slurry as a valuable supply of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.  “I always get a good response to pig slurry from both winter and spring crops” says Mark.  “I see the slurry as a valuable fertiliser and have increased the amount of slurry storage on my farm to make sure there is enough available when I need it”.  Mark aims to apply slurry immediately before ploughing his winter cereal ground, with another application in the spring after the 31 January closed period.  For spring cereals, Mark delays the slurry application until all the sowing is completed.

The construction of a new above ground slurry store allows Mark to store slurry over the summer, for application during the autumn and spring spreading periods.

Mark Hawe and Mark Adams discuss the benefits of pig slurry for cereal crops using a trailing hose applicator.