Rising fuel prices have added at least 20% to the cost
of inorganic fertilisers, meaning livestock producers should be
making far better use of free nutrient resources to protect against
rising input costs.
"There are considerable savings to be had by making more use of
slurry and manure," says John Morgan of Devon-based Creedy
Associates. "Unfortunately, many farmers still tend to view it as
waste to get rid of instead of an opportunity. However, awareness
of its potential is improving and increasingly producers do want to
know how to make best use of it."
Proposals to extend Nitrate Vulnerable Zones mean many livestock
producers are faced with closed application periods and associated
storage requirements. Although an expensive imposition, the planned
rules are making people consider targeting their slurry
applications to reduce fertiliser costs, he says.
A typical dairy farm spends at least 1.2p/litre on fertiliser -
amounting to £12,000 for a 1m litre herd. "They could halve that
without any loss in production." Slurry and manure are both so rich
in phosphate and potassium that livestock farmers should not need
to buy any inorganic P and K fertilisers at all, he adds.
Increased record-keeping under the NVZ proposals will also be a
valuable exercise for many. By having to calculate what nutrients
crops require, and how they are supplied, farmers will be forced to
concentrate on nutrient balance and waste, says Mr Morgan. "There
are more opportunities in this regulation than people are led to
believe. It's not all bad - there is considerable money to be saved
by using slurry and manure effectively."
Applying slurry in spring following the October-January closed
period will significantly increase nitrogen uptake by crops, says
David Munday, a dairy farmer and consultant from Crediton, Devon.
Spreading it low to the ground and ploughing after application also
reduces ammonia loss, saving £7-12/ha (£3-£5/acre).
But to make best use of nutrients, farmers must target slurry
and manure use according to crop requirements. "People are always
astounded by its nutrient content and they tend to spread too
heavily." Analysing a well-mixed sample costs £30, but using
industry guidelines is better than nothing, he says.
Slurry is best applied to grass for silage, or arable crops,
while manure is more suited to arable crops and maize, he adds.
Most crops' P and K requirements will be easily met through slurry
and manure applications, but are likely to require some bagged
nitrogen to top-up.
"There are significant savings to be made here. You have to
spread the slurry and manure anyway, so you might as well take its
nutrient value into account and make the most of it," says Mr
Munday.