Injecting is an alternative

High average rainfall and steeply sloping fields means many Welsh hill farmers are concerned about cross-compliance regulations on slurry spreading.

Graham Perkins, chief executive of the South and West Wales Machinery Ring, said it was the main concern expressed by people who visited the ring’s stand at this summer’s agricultural shows.

“People wanted to know how we can help them get access to expensive machines that inject rather than spread slurry, Mr Perkins said at an open day his organisation co-ordinated at Gelli Aur College in Carmarthenshire.

“We work closely with contractors, and can find work for farmers who invest in equipment.”

The ring’s 1150 members were making substantial savings on capital invested in new machinery, or earning extra revenue by being suppliers of equipment and labour.

“We can demonstrate clear benefits at a time when farmers are coping with diminishing returns and are coming to terms with cross-compliance regulations.”