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Getting slurry storage sorted
Published 4 October 10
DairyCo extension officer, Chris Coxon, says that now is the ideal time to think about slurry management, before we get too far into the winter season.
Chris recommends that farmers think carefully about the following points:
- NVZ storage regulations
In just over a year's time dairy farmers are required to have stored slurry for five months in order to comply with NVZ regulations. If farmers haven't made a plan for this yet then now is the time to start - DairyCo's Dairy Wizard publication can help with the calculations for this future planning.
- Is there adequate storage space?
Some farmers may be aware that they need more slurry storage but they might not know about all of the options available, which include installing a separator, or, diverting the surplus water from the parlour wash down to an irrigation system. The DairyCo publication, Cost Effective Slurry Storage, booklet provides guidance in these areas and can help farmers to choose the right option for their farm.
- Don't forget that 'closed periods' may now apply
For those with adequate slurry storage facilities, we are now technically into the slurry spreading 'closed period'. This applies to arable cropping on all soils and grassland on light land soils. If you have heavy grassland soils the closed period will apply from 15 October.
- Check that your slurry scraper is ready for winter
And if it's not, repair or replace it now to help keep yards as clean as possible.
- Check slurry pumps, channels and valves
A quick check of the pathway of your slurry system through to the pit will decrease the likeliness of problems occurring when it's used at full capacity.
To order your copy of the Dairy Wizard or Cost Effective Slurry Storage, call the DairyCo publications line on 024 7647 8702, email publications@dairyco.org.uk, or visit the DairyCo website at www.dairyco.org.uk.
Ends
Date: 01.10.10
For further information:
N: Emma Morris
T: 024 7647 8695
E: emma.morris@dairyco.org.uk
W: www.dairyco.org.uk
DairyCo's aim is to promote world class knowledge to British dairy farmers so they can profit from a sustainable future.
To achieve this DairyCo aims to:
- Ensure farmers have access to world class information needed to improve competitiveness, GHG reduction and productivity
- Ensure farmers have access to direct and indirect support to help them improve their profitability through better business management
- Ensure that dairy farming is reducing its impact on the environment
- Ensure farmers understand the benefits of breeding and use the related tools
DairyCo is funded entirely by milk producers, via a statutory levy on all milk sold off-farm, at the rate of 0.06p per litre. This provides an annual income of around £6.5m.
DairyCo is a division of the statutory levy board, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB