Preasráitis
N & P Statements for January to August 2023 now available
Ó An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced that Cattle Only Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements (N&P Statements) for the period 1 January to 31 August 2023 are now available on the department’s online system.
Interim N & P Statements are particularly useful to allow farmers plan for the remainder of the year to ensure compliance with the limits set in the Nitrates Regulations, thus avoiding penalties for breaching the limits of 170 kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare or the limit of 250 kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare for those who hold an approved Nitrates Derogation. The maximum stocking rate permitted for commonage is 50 kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare.
The statements reflect land declared for BISS 2023 and, in the case of dairy farmers, the declaration made online through ICBF to establish which nutrient excretion rate band is applicable to their herd.
Those dairy farmers who have not yet confirmed their band have been defaulted to the highest band of 106 kg N/cow in accordance with the Nitrates Regulations. In line with the department’s letter to these farmer’s earlier this year, they still have until 30 September to declare their band if they believe the highest band is inappropriate for their herd.
Measures all farmers can take to avoid exceeding the nitrates limits of 170 kg/ha (or 250 kg/ha for derogation applicants) include:
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, also stated that in light of recent weather conditions, and in accordance with the Nitrates Regulations, his officials were considering the criteria regarding a possible extension to the slurry spreading period which is due to end on 30 September. The Minister advised that any such decision would be based on an assessment to determine whether the appropriate conditions under the Regulations have been met and would be subject to strict terms and conditions and to agreement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Any decision in this regard will be made promptly.
Further information on Nitrates is available at the following link: gov.ie - Rural Environment & Sustainability - Nitrates (www.gov.ie).
Farmers not already registered for agfood.ie can do so by logging onto www.agfood.ie and clicking the 'Register' button. More information is available on the department’s website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/department-of-agriculture-and-foods-online-services/#agfoodie