Teagasc: Failure to renew nitrates derogation warnings - Kilkenny Farming

The risk of not being able to renew the nitrates derogation will significantly undermine the profitability and viability of pasture-based ruminant livestock system, is the conclusion drawn from a series of new Teagasc reports.

Teagasc has completed five reports at the request of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD. This is in line with commitments made in Water and Agriculture – a Collaborative Approach as part of the ongoing work in preparing Ireland’s next Nitrates Action Programme and importantly securing a continuance of Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation.

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The reports, which will be published on www.teagasc.ie are:

• Environmental and economic modelling of the impact of adjustments in the maximum stocking rates permitted under Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation;
• Slurry and dairy soiled water volume estimates - Final Data Summary;
• Improving slurry nutrient distribution on dairy farm holdings;
• An environmental and economic assessment on the impact of possible reductions in the maximum chemical nitrogen allowances for all grassland stocking rates;

An environmental and economic assessment on the impact of possible reductions in the maximum chemical nitrogen allowances for main arable crops.

The report on ‘Environmental and economic modelling of the impact of adjustments in the maximum stocking rates permitted under Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation’ estimated that approximately 49% of dairy farms in Ireland and 65% of national milk production was produced on farms that had an organic nitrogen (N) stocking rate of greater 170 kg/ha.
income drop

If these 7,609 farms were required to reduce organic N stocking rate to 170 kg/ha, this would require an average reduction of 27 cows/herd and result in a reduction (on average) of €43,555 (39%) in family farm income on those farms, if this was achieved by reducing cow numbers only.

This would result nationally in a reduction of 203,719 cows (14%) and a reduction in national milk production of 1.2 billion litres (15%).

The report also evaluated the impact on farm income of other compliance strategies such as renting additional land, exporting slurry from dairy farms and contract rearing dairy heifer replacements plus non-replacement livestock.
These strategies led to reductions in family farm income of €10,928 (15%), €18,841 (19%) and €11,136 (14%) respectively on the farms affected.

The report on ‘Improving slurry nutrient distribution on dairy farm holdings’ emphasises that significant opportunities exist to improve nutrient use efficiency through better slurry management.

Critical Point
The report on ‘An environmental and economic assessment on the impact of possible reductions in the maximum chemical nitrogen allowances for all grassland stocking rates.’ indicates that pasture-based farms have reached a critical point in terms of chemical N fertiliser application rates.

Further reductions in the maximum allowable chemical N applications on grassland risk exacerbating feed deficits on farms, pushing dairy production systems into deeper reliance on external feed sources.

Improving soil fertility, increasing the efficiency of organic manures, and incorporating white clover into perennial ryegrass swards are effective strategies for reducing the reliance on chemical N fertilisers.
However, these technologies need greater adoption at farm level before further reductions in chemical N allowances are possible.

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Conclusion
The risk of not being able to renew the nitrates derogation will significantly undermine the profitability and viability of pasture-based ruminant livestock system.

While progress has been made in reducing chemical N use and adopting sustainable practices, abrupt further reductions in maximum allowances on grassland and arable crops without adequate transition pathways would have severe consequences for grass production and grain yield and would undermine farm incomes, milk and grain production.

On dairy farms the volume of slurry and soiled water produced is underestimated presently due to improvements in milk yields over time, highlighting the need for additional slurry storage on farms.
Optimising slurry distribution will allow farmers to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, improve grassland productivity, and minimise nutrient loss to the environment.