Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, announced a one-week extension on 25 September 2026 to the slurry spreading deadline until Wednesday 7 October. This means that the closed period for slurry spreading will now commence on Thursday 8 October.

It is important that farmers wishing to avail of the extension realise that they must register with the Department of Agriculture’s Nitrates section in advance of spreading slurry.

This can be done by emailing nitrates@agriculture.gov.ie or by phoning 053-916 3425 and quoting their herd number.

ADVERTISEMENT

Farmers should also take note that for the two weeks prior to the closed period and the two weeks after the closed period finishes that buffer zones increase with regard to surface water (drains and streams) increases from 5m to 10m.

Exceptional grass growth

Ministers Heydon and Browne stated: “The Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations provide for an extension to the slurry spreading period in exceptional circumstances where defined criteria have been met. We are satisfied those criteria have been met this year and in response a one-week extension has been granted.”

The Department ministers explain that the extension has been made in response to exceptional weather over the summer months and the recent surge in grass growth in areas that were previously affected by drought.

In announcing the extension Minister Heydon said: “I am conscious that on some farms animals were indoors up to very recently as farmers sought to build covers to allow animals get back out to grass and with the harvesting of second and third cuts having been delayed, this extension will help manage workload on farms.”

Zero-tolerance

Both Ministers concluded by stating that given the importance of improving water quality, inspectors from the local authorities as well as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach to anyone found spreading slurry, or soiled water, during the respective closed period.

This warning was echoed by Christopher O’Sullivan, Minister of State for nature.

He said: “I’m delighted that we are able to provide this extension to the slurry spreading season.

“The weather has put farmers under serious pressure this year and the current conditions where we are seeing an increase in grass growth means that an extra week is scientifically possible.

“As minister with responsibility for water quality, I would like to reiterate Minister Heydon and Minister Browne’s calls for responsible spreading and respect for the closed period from 8 October.”

Farmyard manure

The deadline for applying farmyard manure (FYM) on lands remains 31 October with the prohibited application period commencing in Ireland on 1 November 2026.

Weather is ideal for applying FYM at present and spreading areas should be focused on swards which are deficient in nutrients/require replenishment following the harvesting of crops.

It is important to note that farmyard manure cannot be field stored during the prohibited application period – ie it cannot be stored on lands again until mid-January in most areas and in the case of counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan until 31 January.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that where there are no facilities available to store FYM during the prohibited application period to clean these in the coming weeks.

Soiled water cannot be spread between 1 December and 31 December regardless of farm enterprise.