Getting the numbers right for nitrate levels on your farm.

(From Irish Independent)

LAST week the farming press carried news of penalties arising from breaches by farmers of the cross compliance regulations.

The majority of problems stemmed from areas other than the Nitrates Directive but there were problems nonetheless in this area. Dumping of farmyard manure in fields during the closed period was particularly troublesome for many farmers.

It should be remembered that the Department was not checking for total quantities of nitrogen or phosphate applied to farms this year to see whether a grower exceeded crop requirements. All farmers are expected to keep records of nitrogen and phosphate applications to the farm this year and if …