flooded, frozen hard or snow-covered. 385. You should not apply livestock manures and dirty water when the soil is waterlogged; or the soil is frozen hard; or the field is snow covered; …or heavy rain is forecast within the next 48 hours. 432. You should not apply lime and manufactured fertiliser when the soil is waterlogged, flooded, frozen hard or snow-covered; or heavy rain is forecast to fall within the next 48 hours. Applying organic manure and manufactured fertiliser to agricultural land Appendix 1 - Nitrates Code The available nitrogen applied, i.e. the amount of the total nitrogen that is readily available 5.4 Use your manure management plan together with a field inspection to identify whether it is safe to spread livestock You should take the amount of ‘available nitrogen’ and phosphorus into account when working out Matching land area to nitrogen in 27 The next stage is to match nutrient from the waste to the area of 1.5 Care should be exercised in the handling and application of solid and liquid fertilisers, particularly to avoid polluting relevant
(e)the presence and condition of any agricultural land drains. areas should be marked on a farm map (in red). cover, proximity to surface water, soil conditions and the presence of land drains. 389. You should not apply livestock manures and dirty water: within 10 metres of any ditch, pond or surface water; or within 50 metres of any spring, well, borehole or reservoir that supplies water for human consumption or for farm dairies; or on very steep slopes where run-off is a high risk throughout the year; or… 30 To reduce the risk of polluting groundwater, livestock manures and other organic wastes should not be applied within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole that supplies water for human consumption, or is to be used in farm dairies. In some cases a bigger distance will be needed, particularly up-slope of a spring or shallow well. Bear in mind any water sources on your neighbour’s land. 36 As well as the areas mentioned in paragraphs 29-31, do not spread livestock manures or other organic wastes at the times of the year when the following conditions apply: fields likely to flood sometime in most winters; fields next to a watercourse, spring or borehole where the surface is severely compacted; fields next to a watercourse, 30 Very high risk areas: do not apply any waste when certain conditions apply… Fields next to a watercourse, spring or borehole that have a steep slope… Fields that are pipe or mole drained and the soil is cracked down to the drains or backfill. Matching land area to nitrogen in waste. 27 The next is to match nutrient from the waste to the area of land you apply it to. As a general guide there should be enough land where waste can be spread to make sure that the amount of total nitrogen in livestock waste and other organic waste that are applied is less than 250kg/ha/yr.
spring or borehole that are waterlogged; fields next to a watercourse, spring or borehole that have a steep slope and the soil is at field capacity; fields next to a watercourse, spring or borehole that have a moderate slope, a slowly permeable soil and the soil is at field capacity. Land drains - Fields with effective land drainage systems cause a particular risk. The danger is that a liquid applied to the surface will find its way into the drains and the watercourse. This risk applies to any drained field whatever its slope or however near it is to a watercourse. 4(3) In addition to paragraphs (1) and (2), the land manager must ensure that reasonable 5.2 Machinery should be regularly maintained Various and numerous ‘reasonable precautions’ can be throughout Various and numerous ‘reasonable precautions’ can be found Various and numerous ‘reasonable precautions’ can be found Various and numerous ‘reasonable precautions’ can be found
(c)checking the organic matter content in, and moisture levels of, the soil. risk of Best results are achieved by incorporating slurry immediately it has been spread with the aim of completing work within 6 hours. Solid manure should also be incorporated to bare land or stubble as soon as possible, aiming to complete the work within 24 hours. 6 hours. You should incorporate solid manures into the soil as soon as possible and at the latest within 24 hours. 103. Minimise the risk of phosphorus from organic manures reaching surface water by following the advice in a manure management plan (Section 3.2). Minimise losses following fertiliser application by following advice in a nutrient
take any additional actions to improve the organic matter content of the soil. Applying organic manure and manufactured fertiliser to cultivated agricultural land 5(1) When planning an application under regulation 4(1)(a) to cultivated agricultural land, a land manager must ensure that the results of soil sampling and analysis are taken into account. (2) The results of the soil sampling and analysis— (a)must include the pH of the soil and the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, magnesium and potassium present, (b)must be no more than 5 years old at the time of the application, and (c)may have been collected before the date Where the soil nitrogen supply is high, soil analysis for mineral nitrogen can provide a more precise guide to fertiliser requirement. Nutrient Management Plan Analyse soils every three to five years to assess their nutrient status. Soils should be analysed for pH, P, K, and Mg and the results used to adjust inputs of lime and phosphate, potash and magnesium nutrients. 2.2 Apply fertilisers, organic manures and lime to provide optimum conditions for crop growth, taking account of regular soil analyses. 58. You should have soil analysed regularly. Ideally this should be done every 3 to 5 years to set and maintain a correct fertiliser policy, or whenever a major change of land use is proposed. 102. Soils should be sampled and analysed every three to five years in accordance with a nutrient management plan. 148. Soils should be analysed for pH, P, K, and Mg every three to five years, depending on the cropping system. Use the results to adjust inputs of lime
blowing droplets into watercourses. Applying organic manure near inland freshwaters or coastal waters 7(1) A land manager must ensure that organic manure is not applied to agricultural land within 10 metres of inland freshwaters or coastal waters. (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply where— (a)the application is made using precision spreading equipment, in which case the land manager must ensure that the manure is not applied within 6 metres of inland freshwaters or coastal waters… You should not apply organic manures within: 10 metres of surface waters, including field ditches; or 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole. You should be particularly careful when applying organic manures to steeply sloping land close to surface waters. 389. You should not apply livestock manures and dirty water: within 10 metres of any ditch, pond or surface water; or within 50 metres of any spring, well, borehole or reservoir that supplies water for human consumption or for farm dairies; or on very steep slopes where run-off is a high risk throughout the year; or on any areas where you are not allowed to because of specific management agreements. 287. You should not apply these materials [livestock manures and other organic wastes] to steeply sloping fields or within 10 metres of surface water, including field ditches 142 Make sure that spreading manure does not cause pollution. Check watercourses frequently during and after spreading. 141 To reduce this risk you should not spread solid manures on non-spreading areas… land in the very high risk category (paragraph 30). 30 Very high risk areas… Fields next to a watercourse, spring or borehole… 2.10 Manures and slurry should not be applied to land in the near vicinity of groundwater supply source, e.g. spring, well or borehole or within a zone of protection as notified by the Water Authority… organic manures and wastewaters may cause surface water pollution by run-off downslopes or by seepage into drainage systems or groundwater pollution. Applying organic manure You should not organic 389. You should not apply 148. Although the risk of 142 Make sure that spreading manure does 2.10 Manures and slurry
near a spring, well or borehole 8 A land manager must ensure that organic manure is not applied to agricultural land within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole. manures within 10 metres of surface waters, including field ditches; or 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole. livestock manures and dirty water: within 10 metres of any ditch, pond or surface water; or within 50 metres of any spring, well, borehole or reservoir that supplies water for human consumption or for farm dairies; or on very steep slopes where is a high risk throughout the year; or on any areas where you are not allowed to because of specific management causing water pollution by spreading solid manures is low, surface run-off can happen if rain falls after waste has been applied. To reduce this risk you should not spread solid manures on areas (paragraphs 29 - 31), or on land while in the very high risk category (paragraph 36). 30. To reduce the risk of polluting groundwater, not cause pollution. Check watercourses frequently during and after spreading. 141 To reduce this risk you should not spread solid manures on non-spreading areas… land in the very high risk category (paragraph 30). 30 Very high risk areas… Fields next to a watercourse, spring or borehole… should not be applied to land in the near vicinity of groundwater supply source, e.g. spring, well or borehole or within a zone of protection as notified by the Water Authority… organic manures and wastewaters may cause surface water pollution by run-off downslopes or by seepage into drainage systems or groundwater pollution.
agreements. livestock manures and other organic wastes should not be applied within 50 metres of s spring, well or borehole that supplies water for human consumption, or if it is to be used in farm dairies. In some cases a bigger distance will be needed, particularly up-slope of a spring or shallow well. Storing organic manure 9(1) A land manager must ensure that organic manure is not stored Field heaps Only put solid manures into temporary field heaps if there is a minimal risk of run-off 228. Only put solid manures into temporary field heaps if there is minimal risk of run-off polluting groundwater 48. Manure may contain large amounts of bedding, can usually be stacked and should be stored in a suitable 135 Only put manure in temporary field heaps if you can put it where there is no risk of polluting water. Do not put heaps over 2.4 When farmyard manure is stored in fields prior to spreading on land it should be stacked and located well
on agricultural land— (a)within 10 metres of inland freshwaters or coastal waters, or (b)within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole. (2) For agricultural land to which paragraph (1) does not apply, the land manager must ensure that any factors which mean there would be a significant risk of agricultural diffuse pollution are taken polluting groundwater or surface water. Sites should not be in a field liable to flooding or becoming waterlogged. You should not put heaps within 10 metres of a surface water or within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole or in positions that would cause odour problems for nearby residents. or surface water. Normally you should not put field heaps within 10 metres of field drains. If there is no alternative, you should only put heaps over field drains for a few days before application and then only if it does not cause pollution. You should not put any field heaps within 10 metres of surface waters or within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole or in positions that would store. storage the manure can be put into heaps in a field as long as the heaps can be put where there is no risk of causing water pollution by seepage and run-off. 142. Only put the manure in a temporary field heap if you can put it where there is no risk of runoff polluting water. Do not put heaps over field drains, within ten metres of a watercourse or 50 metres of a spring, field drains, within 10 metres of a watercourse of 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole that supplies water for human consumption… away from relevant waters.
freshwaters or coastal waters. (2) The land manager must ensure that a livestock feeder is not positioned on agricultural land— (a)within 10 metres of inland freshwaters or coastal waters, or (b)within 50 metres of a spring, well or borehole. (3) For agricultural land to which paragraph (2) does not apply, the land manager must ensure that any factors which mean there would be a significant risk of agricultural diffuse pollution are taken into account when deciding where to locate a livestock feeder. (4) In paragraph (3), the factors include those in regulation 4(2). Avoid poaching when extending the grazing season or out-wintering stock - this can reduce subsequent production, or cause pollution to surface water by run-off or soil erosion and damage other sensitive habitats. Take particular care when grazing forage crops or crop residues. You should move supplementary feeders to avoid poaching the soil in any situations where it will lead to run-off and erosion. Wherever possible, keep livestock out of surface water. If it is necessary for them to drink direct from a surface water, limit the area to which they have access such as by installing a drinking bay. sensitive habitats. Take particular care when stock or when grazing forage crops or crop residues. 454. You should consider providing hard standing around permanent feeders, water troughs and in gateways to reduce poaching and run-off into field drains, ditches and surface waters. 455. You must follow the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (reference 30). You should not overgraze natural or semi-natural vegetation. 456. You should move supplementary feeders to avoid poaching the soil in all situations where it will lead to run-off and erosion. On natural or semi-natural vegetation, this is a legal requirement, and currently a cross compliance requirement. of nitrate lost will be cut down. Where possible, grazing cattle should not have direct access to watercourses.
(iv)breaking up compacted soil, and (v)establishing grass buffer strips in valleys, along contours or slopes, field edges or gateways, and (b)in relation to livestock— (i)moving livestock regularly, (ii)erecting fencing around inland freshwaters or coastal waters, and (iii)wintering livestock on well-drained, level fields. … previous autumn you should aim to sow a temporary cover or green manure catch crop following harvest, such as mustard, rye or vetch. Where it is not practicable to establish a cover or catch crop, you should leave the land in stubble or roughly cultivated over winter, to minimise and soil erosion. Fencing watercourses prevents livestock fouling the water, damaging the banks, and causing soil to enter the water. Remove stock from the land when the soil is too wet. Allow the site time to recover in the spring, cultivate and as necessary, and when conditions allow, to re-establish green cover. 359. To minimise and erosion before spring crops, establish temporary green cover or leave the land in stubble or roughly cultivated over winter. 345. ….Use a spade to look for signs of compaction, and to help make decisions on appropriate cultivations and the need for soil loosening or subsoiling. Look at your land during and after rain to identify areas of poor drainage and where run-off or erosion may be occurring from fields or other parts of the farm such as roads and tracks. 346. Well drained and well structured soils allow water to enter more quickly and therefore reduce the risk of run-off and erosion. 40. Fencing off surface waters prevents livestock fouling the than crops sown in the late autumn or spring. If possible, cover or catch crops should be sown in fields that would otherwise be bare over the autumn and winter. To be effective cover crops need to be established in each autumn. Winter green cover is particular important on one-year set-aside fields. 299. The risk of losing nitrate from grassland that is intensively grazed is high, especially if grazed with cattle throughout the autumn. If the intensity of grazing is reduced, particularly in the autumn, the amount of nitrate lost will be cut down. Where possible, grazing cattle should not have direct access to watercourses.