The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has made a written request to the Government urging a temporary controlled extension to the slurry spreading period beyond 1 October, where weather, soil and ground conditions are suitable.

The FCI highlighted that it is not requesting an unrestricted extension and fully recognises the importance of protecting water quality and maintaining Ireland’s environmental obligations.

However, the association said that additional spreading days, in appropriate conditions, would support further grass growth by allowing nutrients to be utilised while grass is still growing, in turn facilitating an additional autumn silage cut, thus reducing pressure on farmers as the winter housing period approaches.

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Less slurry spread

One in three contractors has spread 450,000 litres less slurry this year due to unusual growing conditions which disrupted normal silage and slurry management patterns, according to a survey by the FCI.

FCI managing director Ann Gleeson Hanrahan said:

“Contractors are not demanding a free-for-all on slurry spreading. We are asking Government to recognise that the weather and ground conditions this year are exceptional, and to prepare a mechanism by which slurry could be spread beyond 1 October if the weather and ground conditions are suitable."

Norman Egar, FCI national chair, added: “Any extension should not be unrestricted and must be designed to avoid nutrient losses to water."