The Environment Agency (EA) is urging farmers to start their preparations now for winter slurry storage, and to contact it if they have any concerns.
The EA has launched its Winter Ready campaign, which will support farmers across the country facing slurry storage issues.
Farm storage has been put under pressure by wet weather throughout the year, and the agency stressed that if this continues, it is important to have enough storage and a robust back up plan in place.
The agency is encouraging farmers to start their preparations now, and to contact them for advice if necessary.
It is urging producers with questions or concerns to contact their local EA Officer, call the EA’s National Customer Contact Centre hotline on 03708 506 506 or email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
The EA recommends using the online Slurry Wizard Tool to help farmers with calculations.
Simple solutions
The agency has recommended some some simple steps and solutions to tackle slurry storage issues including:
- Ensuring you have adequate storage to see you through winter without the need to spread. The EA recommends having six months of storage to help comply with the requirements of the Farming Rules for Water to spread only according to crop and soil need.
- Covering slurry tanks, lagoons and pits and using the summer months to fix draining and clear guttering to ensure separation of clean and dirty water, meaning less rainwater mixes with slurry to increase its volume.
- Refraining from taking sludge, digestate or other materials if you don’t have an immediate need for them. Even if you are contracted to take these materials, all producers have a responsibility to ensure bi-products and waste are properly disposed of.
The agency said a wet winter and spring has put pressure on slurry stores already, with many farmers reporting concerns around managing volumes as the increased rainfall meant that they were accumulating more slurry and unable to spread it on their fields. Even those who put preparations in place last year still faced storage issues.
EA deputy director for agriculture, Nicola Riley said: “We know the profound impact that wet weather can have on farmers and their slurry storage. It is important that we help farmers to get ready ahead of time by supplying guidance and practical solutions.
“That’s why we’re urging farmers to start their preparations now, with the Environment Agency on hand to help farmers find the right solutions that work for them.”
Support available
Defra’s Slurry Infrastructure Grant scheme, which has operated in England for the past two years, is designed to help farmers improve or expand slurry storage capacity and improve the use of organic nutrients on their farm.
Other support includes a range of capital items available through Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants that can support farmers to reduce the amount of slurry generated on their farm. This includes slurry store covers, roofing, concrete yards and drainage systems. A Catchment Sensitive Farming advisor can visit farms and provide advice on how these can best be utilised.