The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that interim Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements for the period January to June 2015 will be available online from this Friday 31st July to all farmers registered with agfood.ie.
These statements, for cattle only, are of great benefit to farmers, especially those that may have increased stock numbers in the past year. It should assist farmers in deciding whether or not they need to take any action before the end of the year to stay within the limits set down in the Nitrates Regulations.
In addition to the Nitrogen and Phosphorus figures being available online, text messages are also issuing to those farmers registered for this service, who at the end of June are at or over 75 kgs of Nitrogen per hectare (approaching or likely to exceed the limit by year end). Farmers who receive this text, and who are not derogation applicants, should heed the warning and take steps, if not already in place, to reduce the nitrates loading before the end of the year. Options include exporting slurry/farmyard manure or renting additional land.
This year the Department is increasing the frequency of these interim statements by making them available bi-monthly until the end of the year. Statements for end of August and October will be available online towards the end of September and November respectively.
Farmers not already registered for agfood.ie can do so by logging onto www.agfood.ie and clicking the ‘Register’ button. To register a mobile phone number for future SMS text alerts log on to https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/contactsupdates/ to access the sign-on form, or alternatively contact the regional office.
