Defra Secretary of State George Eustice has issued updated guidelines on the regulation of water cultivation, which give the green light for the continuous application of agricultural manure, manure and biosolids in autumn and winter. UFU also reminds farmers that the deadline to submit records of manure and any other organic fertilizer exported by farms in 2021 is January 31, 2022. As windows approach and spring approaches, farmers across the country are starting to think about emptying manure reserves and how best to nourish their soils and crops. With that in mind, why not refresh your memory around agricultural rules for water and make sure you stay on the right side of the law. Agricultural rules for water have been a major concern for farmers in England since last year, when the Environment Agency (EA) issued guidelines suggesting that spreading manure in autumn before winter cereals was against the rules. While the EI allowed some spread in the fall of 2021, it warned that this was only a temporary measure and that the rules would likely be tightened this year. Starting in 2022, it is proposed that all manure be applied by September 30, and September 15 will become the deadline in 2023 and subsequent years. October 15 is the current deadline. As farmers have to bear the high cost of fertilizer, it will be crucial for all farmers to maximize the use of nutrients in manure. In 2022, the spreading of polluted water between November 15 and November 15 will be phased out. January banned to reduce the effects of nutrient losses in the riskiest period. Currently, polluted water can be distributed year-round if soil and weather conditions allow, with up to 50,000 litres per hectare over a 42-hour period. The Environment Agency (EA) has published new guidance on the application of organic pollution that will affect farmers and land managers in England.

A ban on the application of manure after September 15 or polluted water between November 15 and January 15; reduction of chemical nitrogen amounts; and increased restrictions on farmers with high-yielding dairy cows are part of the proposed new rules. Dairy farmers say the wide range of new rules on manure spreading is the most difficult proposal in preparation for the next nitrate action programme, due to start next year. Under Rule 1 of the Water Cropping Rules, farmers are allowed to apply manure or manure in the fall if there is no risk of pollution, as the environmental assessment confirms that it has relaxed the application rules by the end of February 2022. In most cases, the reasonable precautions you should take are to install a green cover on the land where you plan to apply organic manure by October 15, unless you can demonstrate good reasons not to do so. Another reasonable precaution to take if possible is to incorporate manure into the soil as soon as possible after application. Manure treatment is an important area for nutrient loss to the environment. Any farm that exports manure, chicken bedding or manure to another farm must submit this information online to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. This is an extremely important aspect of manure application regulations that must be followed. Farmers may still be allowed to apply manure until October 15 each year. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Marine will confirm this by September 1, 2022. In this article, That`s Farming looks at the Fifth Nitrates Action Programme.

We cover the program in its current form, chemical fertilizer sales records, nitrate inspections, and manure management and storage. The rules on the amount of manure that can be applied differ depending on whether it is a type of manure considered low in readily available nitrogen (RAN) – for example, the former gestation period of suckler cows – or slurry with a high RAN content, such as manure. All contractors and those applying digestate must use Low Emittance Manure Application (LESSE) equipment, this applies to all operations with more than 200 livestock units. However, Defra was forced to investigate the matter given the pressures caused by escalating fertilizer costs and fertilizer availability issues. It just released an update clarifying when farmers are allowed to use manure and other manure in the fall and winter. The maximum manure rate is reduced to 30 m3 per hectare (2,700 gallons/acre) for each application. In addition to the declaration on the regulation of water cultivation, Defra announced that it was postponing any changes to the regulations on the use of urea-based fertilizers. Last year, a consultation was published that had several options, including a complete ban, a closed spread period, and the requirement to treat all urea with an inhibitor. New rules are expected to be introduced in April this year, but the changes won`t be introduced until April 2023.

The farmer must follow the labelling regulations and the requirements of the district bulletin (if available) to ensure the protection of endangered species. Storage and disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. Applications must be covered by a National Pollutant Release Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Livestock rules for water are relatively new regulations that all farmers must follow and, as the name suggests, they were introduced to protect water quality. Overall, the rules codify good agricultural practices that many are already doing, but it`s worth checking that you`re following them all. Announcing the second phase of consultation, he said he looked forward to hearing from a wide range of stakeholders. The current regulations expire at the end of 2021 and a new action programme on nitrates is due to be published in early 2022, with the revised regulations remaining in force until 2025. This registry allows accurate tracking of fertilizer sales and a map of where farmers apply fertilizer across the country. “The efficient distribution of nutrients on the land gives farmers the ability to control the amount of inputs used on their farm and another way to reduce the impact of market volatility and weather on the farm.” We need to reduce nitrate levels in waterways and maintain the commercial dairy, livestock and tillage sectors, especially commercial family farms.

These objectives are not incompatible, it is very possible to do both. McCormack said excessive regulation that does not reflect the practicalities of agriculture will not work. “It`s good to see that the Environment Agency has addressed industry concerns in these latest guidance, but it`s still likely to have a significant impact on many businesses, both practically and economically, with little time to adjust plans for this year. There are many ways to plan your fertilizer applications to ensure they don`t exceed the needs of the soil and plants. For example, you can use a manual like the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) and tools like PLANET, MANNER-NPK or those from Proven & Tested. You can also ask a professional, such as an agronomist or FACTS consultant, to create a nutrient management plan for you. For the month of February, the buffer zones are increased to 30 m from lakes and 15 m from other rivers. Farms that store more than 25 gallons in underground or aboveground tanks. After the Arizona case, state legislatures adopted the theory of “harassment” and enacted right-to-farm laws. These laws vary from state to state, but they generally prevent neighbors from successfully claiming that pre-existing farming activities are a nuisance. Irrigation returns are not solid waste.

Farmers may dispose of non-hazardous waste (e.g., agricultural waste, including manure, crop residues returned to the soil in the form of fertilizers or soil amendments; dispose of solids or dissolved solids in return irrigation streams) on their own property, unless prohibited by other state or local laws. The new Regulatory Notice (PHI) allows farmers to apply organic manure to land that may exceed the needs of the soil or crop on that land, but must not pose a risk of pollution. A federal permit is generally not required, but farms must directly comply with legal requirements for pollutant limits, management practices, operating standards, reporting and other requirements. Farms that remove pesticide residues and off-site rinses Last week, the 30th. In March 2022, the Environment Agency published new guidance entitled “Enforcement of Agricultural Rules for Water,” which replaces last year`s statement on the regulatory situation that so worried farmers. You can also contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) or by email at ZW5xdWlyaWVzQGVudmlyb25tZW50LWFnZW5jeS5nb3YudWs=. Farms that grow biosolids or own land on which biosolids are prevalent. Last August, Rebecca Ironmonger from our regulatory team discussed the Environmental Protection Agency`s regulatory opinion on the use of organic waste in fall/winter 2021/22.

Here, Rebecca provides an update on the EI approach. Defra is currently discussing legally binding targets following the adoption of the Environment Act, and one of them is to reduce nitrogen, phosphate and sediment pollution in water from agriculture by 40% by 2037 compared to the 2018 base year.

Share: