Dairy quotas were abolished in Ireland in 2015. The resulting expansion in dairy operations has seen stocking rates on dairy farms increase dramatically in 2015-2019 period. Many dairy farmers are now operating close to, or above, the Nitrate Regulation stocking rate of 170 Kg/Ha, (0.8 Lu/Acre). Those farmers operating stocking rates considerably higher than the 170 Kg/Ha limit, have opted to apply for a Nitrate Derogation. These Derogations allow farmers to carry stocking rate up to 250 Kg/Ha, (1.2 Lu/Acre), provided the comply with the folowing:
- Submit a Nitrate Derogation application on an annual basis.
- Have sufficient slurry storage on their farms for the stock they carry over the winter period.
- Have an up to date Nutrient Management Plan in place to show how slurry and chemical fertilisers are to be applied on their holding.
- Submit records of fertiliser and feed use on their farm for the previous year on a yearly basis.
Concerns about increasing greenhouse gas emission and deterioration in water quality nationally, prompted a review of the Nitrate Regulation in March 2019, by the Department of Agriculture. This review imposed additional restrictions on Nitrate Derogation farmers and those farmers exceeding the 170 Kg/Ha stocking rates.
At Canning Agricultural Consultants we specialise in Nutrient Management Planning and compliance with Nitrate Regulations. We offer the following services to our clients:
- Completion of Nitrate Derogation applications.
- Nutrient Management Plans compiled using Department of Agriculture approved online systems.
- GPS tracked soil sampling service.
- Easy to follow chemical and slurry recommendations.
- Colour Coded farm maps for fertiliser and slurry use.
- Monthly tracking of stocking rates for client's farms.
- Advise on sustainable farming.
- Submission of mandatory annual fertiliser and feed use.
- Completion of slurry export/import forms.
