Free emissions calculators for permitted pig and poultry farms
© Jim Varney/Aberration Films Pig and poultry farmers can trial a free calculator to determine levels of nitrogen and phosphorous being produced by their farms.
The new calculators are available through the AHDB and have been developed by pig adviser Mick Hazzledine and poultry adviser Dr Mark Malpass.
Permitted farms are required to obtain a permit from the Environment Agency (EA) in line with recent changes to minimum standards and best-practice techniques on emissions reduction.
What is a permitted farm?
You might be a permitted farm and need to obtain an EA permit if you have:
- More than 2,000 finishing pigs (above 30kg)
- 750 sow places (including served gilts)
- More than 40,000 poultry places at a site
See also: Q&A: How new environmental pig permits could affect you
Straightforward paperwork
The calculators will make the reporting of nitrogen and phosphorous emissions straightforward ‘in most cases’, said Emma Slater, environment and buildings knowledge transfer manager for AHDB Pork.
She said: “For individual farmers, the rule changes and reporting requirements appear daunting. Therefore, we sought a straightforward solution that is easy to use and provides consistency and confidence.”
“We are very grateful to the Agricultural Industries Confederation and to Mick and Mark for developing these tools, and to the feed companies and advisers who were involved with the testing.
Trial a calculator
To access a free calculator, email: pork.environment@ahdb.org.uk