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LESS is the Law: Adapting to Ireland's New Slurry Spreading Regulations

14 January 2025
Type Media Article

By Richard Gill, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare

As the New Year begins, slurry spreading will be on the minds of many farmers over the coming weeks. Farmers in Co. Galway and Co. Clare (Zone B) will be permitted to spread slurry from Thursday, 16th January if conditions are suitable. The introduction of new rules around slurry spreading in Ireland will lead to big changes in the way slurry is spread on many farms.

From January 1st 2025 the use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS) has become compulsory on farms stocked at 100kg N/ha or above. These new regulations will affect a large cohort of farmers and many may not be aware that they fall into this category. I encourage all farmers to check their farm’s stocking rate before the slurry spreading season opens. This can be done through their own Agfood.ie account or by contacting their Teagasc Advisor.

LESS involves using advanced slurry spreading equipment that applies slurry more precisely and closer to the soil surface compared to the traditional splash plate. The two most common types of LESS systems which are used on Irish farms are trailing shoe and dribble bar. A third system that is also available is shallow injection however; this system is not common among Irish farmers and contractors. The dribble bar deposits the slurry in rows on the top of the grass. This system has several advantages including a lower horsepower requirement and it being the cheapest option when purchasing LESS equipment. The trailing shoe system parts the grass and deposits the slurry directly onto the soil surface. This system reduces grass contamination, which allows animals to graze the grass sooner compared to the traditional splash plate method.

Examples of slurry spread by trailing shoe on the left hand side and dribble bar on the right

Using LESS has a number of both environmental and economic benefits. Applying slurry using LESS technology can reduce ammonia emissions by 30-60% compared to the traditional splash plate and will have a significant part to play in meeting Irish agriculture’s emissions reduction targets. When slurry is applied more precisely and closer to the ground using a dribble bar or trailing shoe it also significantly minimizes the risk of nutrient runoff into rivers, lakes and groundwater. Along with the important environmental benefits of using LESS technology, there is also a huge economic benefit for farmers. Slurry that is spread in the spring using LESS technology will retain an extra 3 units of Nitrogen per 1,000 gallons of slurry when compared to splash plate application. The typical value of 1,000 gallons of slurry is equivalent to a 50kg bag of 9-5-32 fertiliser when applied using LESS technology. The use of a trailing shoe also allows slurry to be spread on fields with higher grass cover due to the reduction in grass contamination. This widens the window for slurry application and can allow farmers to wait for more favourable ground conditions to spread slurry without affecting the grazing rotation.

To maximise the benefits of using LESS technology it is important to follow best practices for spreading slurry. Spring is the ideal time to spread slurry, as grass will be actively growing. To achieve optimal results from slurry application, farmers should target dry, calm days to reduce runoff and volatilisation. This ensures that the nutrients remain in the soil where it is needed most and the full potential of the slurry is utilised. Soil temperatures should always be above 6 °C when spreading slurry to promote nutrient uptake by the grass. It is also important to remember to maintain an appropriate buffer zone along watercourses when spreading slurry. This buffer zone increases from 5 metres to 10 metres for the first two weeks of the spreading season.

With the slurry spreading season only around the corner, it is important for farmers to plan ahead. With many farmers now required to use LESS equipment to spread their slurry, there will be an increased demand for contractors that offer this service. Many of these contractors may already have a list of farmers to get to when the season opens so it is important to make contact with your contractor to ensure you are not left stuck when tanks begin to fill up. Some larger farms may choose to purchase their own LESS equipment to reduce the reliance on contractors. TAMS grants will be available to some farmers for purchasing trailing shoe slurry tankers but eligibility is dependent on their farms stocking rate. Farmers interested in availing of a TAMS grant for LESS equipment should contact their Teagasc Advisor to determine their eligibility.

Using LESS has a number of both environmental and economic benefits. Applying slurry using LESS technology can reduce ammonia emissions by 30-60% compared to the traditional splash plate and will have a significant part to play in meeting Irish agriculture’s emissions reduction targets. When slurry is applied more precisely and closer to the ground using a dribble bar or trailing shoe it also sign