Preparing for increased slurry storage requirements

Adequate slurry storage allows farmers to apply organic fertiliser when soil and weather conditions are suitable. Sufficient capacity helps to protect water quality, retain valuable nutrients and reduce the risk of pollution, Aideen Cooper, Walsh Scholar, Teagasc Portlaoise, tells us more.

Good storage also gives farmers greater flexibility. Slurry can be targeted towards fields where nutrients are most needed and applied when grass is actively growing. Spring applications generally provide better nitrogen recovery than summer applications, provided ground conditions are suitable.

Increased storage requirements from October 2028

Slurry storage requirements are increasing from 1 October 2028. Farmers should begin reviewing their facilities well in advance. Early planning will allow time to measure existing capacity, identify any shortfall and complete any necessary work.

For a 16-week storage period, which applies in Laois, Kildare and Offaly, each cow currently requires approximately 1,160 gallons of slurry storage. This is based on the current allowance of 0.33m³ per cow per week. From 1 October 2028, the requirement will increase to approximately 1,400 gallons per cow, based on 0.40m³ per cow per week.

This represents an increase of approximately 240 gallons per cow. Farmers should calculate their requirement based on peak livestock numbers and consider whether additional rainfall or soiled water is entering the slurry tanks.

Soiled water storage

Soiled-water requirements are also increasing by over 40%, from 0.21m³ to 0.30m³ per cow per week.

Soiled water can include parlour washings, runoff from dirty yards and water contaminated by livestock manure or other farmyard activities. Clean rainwater should be kept separate, as unnecessary water entering the storage system reduces the capacity available. Clean water and uncontaminated yard water should be diverted away from slurry tanks wherever possible. Gutters, downpipes and channels should be checked and maintained regularly.

Financial support and advice

There are TAMS grants available to support farmers in making these changes, including support for eligible nutrient-storage investments and low emission slurry spreading equipment. Farmers should plan early and check the current scheme conditions before beginning work.

Please contact your local Teagasc adviser for assistance in calculating your slurry storage requirements and assessing whether existing facilities will meet the increased requirements for October 2028.