The Surroundings Company (EA) is urging farmers to start out their preparations now for winter slurry storage, with its Winter Prepared marketing campaign.
Whereas the present dry climate is on the entrance of minds, with rainfall throughout England is 20% lower than long run common for June, farmers additionally want to start out contemplating the climate extremes that winter might deliver.
To assist guarantee farmers have sufficient storage and a strong back-up plan in place, the EA’s Winter Prepared marketing campaign will assist farmers throughout the nation dealing with slurry storage points.
The EA is encouraging farmers to start out their preparations now, and to contact them for recommendation if needed. You probably have any questions or issues, please converse to your native EA Officer or name the EA’s Nationwide Buyer Contact Centre hotline on 03708 506 506.
Some easy steps and options to deal with slurry storage points embody:
- Making certain you will have satisfactory storage to see you thru winter with out the necessity to unfold. The EA recommends having six months of storage to assist adjust to the necessities of the Farming Guidelines for Water to unfold solely based on crop and soil want.
- Masking slurry tanks, lagoons and pits and utilizing the summer time months to repair drainage and clear guttering to make sure separation of unpolluted and soiled water, that means much less rainwater mixes with slurry to extend its quantity.
- Refraining from taking sludge, digestate or different supplies in case you don’t have a direct want for them. Even if you’re contracted to take these supplies, all producers have a duty to make sure bi-products and waste are correctly disposed of.
Surroundings Company deputy director for agriculture, Nicola Riley mentioned: “Current Met Workplace analysis has discovered that climate extremes are actually the norm within the UK with wetter winters and drier summers. At present the urgent situation of the affect of drought is on the entrance of minds and the Surroundings Company is working carefully with farmers and growers to assist safe water this summer time.
“It is vital too that we sit up for the moist climate we will anticipate in direction of the tip of the yr and we’re serving to farmers to prepare forward of time by supplying steerage and sensible options.
“We’re urging farmers to start out their preparations now, with the Surroundings Company available to assist farmers discover the precise options that work for them.”
Final month ministers met representatives from the farming sector, environmental teams and the water industries to start out a assessment aimed toward making the foundations and rules that apply to farming clearer and more practical serving to cut back and stop air pollution from farms.
Ms Riley mentioned: “Farmers ought to plan spreading and use of different fertilisers to fulfill soil and crop want on the time of software and to minimise the danger of air pollution. Which means within the majority of circumstances there isn’t a requirement for spreading within the autumn and winter months.
“Farmers can even apply for a spread of capital gadgets out there via the Capital Grants supply that may assist farmers to scale back the quantity of slurry generated on their farm. This contains slurry retailer covers, roofing, concrete yards and drainage programs.
“A Catchment Delicate Farming advisor can go to farms and supply recommendation on how these can greatest be utilised.”
