Nitrates Derogation 2022 – Training Course Requirement

A 3 day training course requirement is a key part of the new derogation measures introduced this year. This training, to improve knowledge transfer, must be completed by year end, by farmers who are in derogation.

Science and regulations keep moving on. For farmers who get left behind this will be costly, in terms extra cross compliance penalties because of not knowing the new regulations or for example not being aware of the extra N available when using LESS to spread slurry, thus being able to spread less N for the same yield. The training courses are squarely aimed at improving awareness of regulations around nitrates and improving nutrient use efficiency, which is better for the farmers pocket and the environment.

Full requirements are available in this document DAFM Training requirements for Derogation applicants 2022 (pdf)

The Requirements

3 days training is the requirement for farmers who are new derogation applicants in 2022. This training must be completed by the end of 2022. However in general these courses are run in the autumn over 2 or 3 weeks as this is a quieter time of the year for farmer. Contact your derogation advisor for local course details, as all these courses have to be registered with the Department of Agriculture. Below gives an insight into what will be covered in each of the 3 days.

Nutrient Use Efficiency and P Build-up Training - 1 day

• Increasing nutrient use efficiency by getting the most from fertiliser and slurry

Farming Sustainably Under Derogation Training - 1 day

• Reducing the impact of emissions, water and biodiversity

Grassland Management - 1 day

• Sustainable grassland management practices to improve nutrient use efficiency OR b. Record through appropriate software technology, the grass produced annually on the farm.

Existing Nitrates Derogation Applicants

In order for those Nitrates Derogation applicants who applied in 2020 and/or 2021 to be eligible to apply in 2022 the training as outlined above must be completed.

Those farmers who recorded at least 20 grass measurements in 2021 must continue to record at least 20 grass measurements in 2022 with a minimum of one week between each measurement.

Note; the requirement per month in 2021 was February (1), March (2), April to September (14), October (2) and November (1). In 2022 a minimum of 17 measures between March and September and a minimum of 3 measures recorded between October and November will also comply with the requirement.

Those farmers who completed a grassland management training course in 2020/2021 will be required to get set up on appropriate software technology (as accepted by DAFM) in 2022. These farmers have two options for grass measuring in 2022 as follows:

1. Record a minimum of 20 grass measurements on appropriate software technology (as accepted by DAFM) with a minimum of one week between each measure, Or
2. Attend two workshops and take a minimum of 3 grass measurements in 2022 with a minimum of one week between each measurement.

One workshop must be on using the software technology to record and interpret grass measurements and one workshop must be on grass measuring.

Workshop A or Workshop B - as described below can be completed in any order. This is at the discretion of attendee based on experience/knowledge of each workshop content.

General workshop requirements

• Delivery of the workshops can take place at any time of year but should take place prior to grass measuring.
• A maximum participant group size will normally be under 30 or increased to a maximum of 50 in the case of online courses, other than in the case of practical breakout sessions where 125 is permitted with 30/breakout session.
• A minimum of 2 hours should be allocated for each workshop with a total of 5 hours between the 2 workshops. Additional question and answer time should be allowed as required.
• An applicant can nominate a person involved in the management of the farm business to attend the course on their behalf. Details of the nominated person must be submitted and preapproved to DAFM in advance of attending the course.
• Trainers can apply for DAFM approval for any variation in course delivery model.
• Training to farmers can only be provided under the guidance of a FAS advisor.
• Relevant subject matter specialists (who may not be FAS accredited) can be included as part of the programme delivery team.

Workshop A

The objective for Workshop A is to ensure that all participants can record a grass cover for their farm and can access the resulting reports. The following key areas should be covered:

• Overview of the session- the benefits of measuring grass - 10 mins
• Setting up the farm profile - paddock profiles, stock numbers, intake - 30mins
• How to record an individual paddock cover on the PBI system using laptop or App - 30mins
• Generating and interpreting the grass wedge report using the software - 30 mins
• Summary and clarifications - 20 mins

Attendance and completion of Workshop A will be verified by confirmation of attendance of the registered participants during the workshop. Follow up in-office consultations should be facilitated to assist clients who require additional support in setting up profiles/Apps and using the software. These will not qualify in lieu of participation in the on-line workshop.

Workshop B 

The objective for Workshop B is to provide participants with the practical skills necessary to complete a whole-farm grass measurement. This element will be conducted on-farm. A maximum of 30 participants per training group is permitted, however individual scheduled events can run multiple training groups concurrently on the day.

Four key areas will be addressed:

• Demonstrating the physical measurement of grass - Estimating grass dry matter cover per hectare, calculating grass available per paddock, measuring residual covers, assessing grass quality
• Introducing key grass measurement concepts - Average farm cover, rotation length, herd feed demand, grass wedge
• Recording grass measurements using appropriate software - Entering grass measurements taken, recording paddocks grazed, marking paddocks for silage, generating a grass wedge
• Discussing how to use grass measuring metrics for decision making on-farm -  Allocating grass, Removal of surplus silage, use of supplements, fertilizer application, reseeding

Duration will be a minimum of 2 hours. Attendance and completion of Workshop B will be verified by confirmation of attendance of the pre-registered participant at commencement of workshop

Access information on Verification by Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) here