The Interim Review of the Nitrates Action Programme included proposals to reduce the chemical nitrogen allowances for grassland on more intensive farms and to introduce a new lower allowance for extensive farmers.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D, has clarified that the proposal to reduce the chemical nitrogen allowances for grassland on more intensive farms will not apply before 2025.
Making the clarification, the Minister said: “I wish to advise farmers that there are no changes in the chemical nitrogen or phosphorous allowances for 2024. Any proposed changes will not apply before 2025.”
“Improving water quality is a critical objective for the sector and part of our commitment to delivering a renewal of Ireland’s nitrates derogation. Farmers have made tremendous progress in that regard but I am conscious however on the need for certainty amongst farmers who are doing fodder budgets and looking to fill the gap and this will give them certainty in their plans”
Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD.
Assuming appropriate weather soil and crop conditions, a better response to nutrient applications will be achieved in the coming weeks rather than waiting until closer to the end of the spreading season. National data indicates that there is scope for application of nutrients to grow fodder.
The Minster continued by stating “I encourage all farmers who have not already done so to complete a nutrient management plan and assess their fertiliser use for the year to date. Given the reduced grass growth we have seen this year, farmers should also conduct a fodder budget and where necessary engage with their adviser.”
The Minister also stated, “Farmers need to plan applications of any remaining slurry as well as Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulphur and Lime for the remainder of the year. To facilitate optimum production while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the risk of the loss of nutrients to water, farmers should take a balanced overall approach to where necessary correct soil fertility and optimise crop nutrition.”
The Good Agricultural Practices for the Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (SI 113 of 2022, as amended) set out maximum limits for the application of chemical nitrogen and phosphorous to land under various scenarios.
Take Note:
The current annual maximum chemical nitrogen allowances for grassland as set out in SI 113 of 2022 (as amended) are:
| Grassland stocking rate | Maximum Chemical Nitrogen allowance |
| (kg/ha/year) | (kg/ha) |
| ≤130 | 114 |
| 131-170 | 185 |
| 171-210 | 254 |
| 211-250 | 225 |
| >250 | 225 |
The current annual maximum fertilisation rates of phosphorus on grassland as set out in SI 113 of 2022 (as amended) are:
| Grassland stocking rate (kg/ha/year) | Soil Phosphorus Index | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Available Phosphorus kg/ha1 | ||||
| <85 | 27 | 17 | 7 | 0 |
| 86-130 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0 |
| 131-170 | 33 | 23 | 13 | 0 |
| 171-210 | 36 | 26 | 16 | 0 |
| 211-250 | 39 | 29 | 19 | 0 |
| >250 | 39 | 29 | 19 | 0 |
1Notes:
- Phosphorous fertilisation rates for soils which have more than 20% organic matter (peat soils) must not exceed the amounts permitted for Phosphorous Index 3 soils.
- Where a soil sample is required and not available, a Soil Phosphorous Index of 4 must be assumed. Where a soil sample is not required, in the absence of such a sample, a Soil Phosphorous Index of 3 may be assumed.
- The farm’s total available phosphorous allowance should be reduced by 5kg per tonne of concentrate feed purchased in the previous year above 300kg of concentrates per 92kg organic nitrogen produced on the holding that year. I.E. the first 300kg of concentrates per average dairy cow/equivalent can be disregarded for P allowance calculations.