NVZ’s – How do they affect you?
A new area of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones was designated in October this year and farmers within these zones will have to draw up an Action Plan to reduce nitrate leaching with effect from 19th December 2002. So how will this affect the free range egg producer?
As a registered agricultural holding identified as being in an NVZ you should have already received an A3 map showing the boundaries of the NVZ. Before proceeding with your action plan it is probably worth checking the location of your fields in conjunction with the detailed maps on the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk), particularly if you are on or close to the boundary of the NVZ.
Assuming some or all of your land is within an NVZ the basic rule regarding organic manures is that they should not be applied at a greater loading than 250 kg/ha total nitrogen averaged over all the grassland on the farm, and 210 kg/ha total nitrogen averaged over the area of the farm not in grass. Importantly, these limits apply to all organic manures, including that deposited by livestock directly on to the land. For the purposes of the directive the year runs from 19 December to the following 18 December. For land other than grass the 210 kg limit will be further reduced to 170 kg/ha from 19 December 2006.
On an individual field basis it is possible to go to 250 kg/ha, even on non-grassland, providing the average on all non-grassland does not exceed the 210 kg/ha limit.
Area of land required
For the purposes of compliance the Environment Agency will use standard rates of analysis and quantity excreted for each class of livestock. For example, a free range producer with 8,000 birds will be deemed to produce 328 tonnes of manure with a total nitrogen content of 5,280 kgs. Spread on grassland this will require 21.12 ha (52.18 acres), and on other land 25.14 ha (62.12 acres).
However, there are various ways that the standard figures could be modified. For example, the annual output figure of 660 kg/1000 birds assumes a dry matter content of only 30%. In most cases manure that has been stored under the slats over the life of an average flock is likely to have a dry matter content of at least double this and as high as 85% under good conditions. Changes in DM will, in turn, affect the level of nitrogen in the manure.
Since it is inadvisable to spread poultry manure on land which will be accessible to subsequent flocks i.e. the designated range area, this means that the 8,000 bird producer will need a total land area (including range but excluding buffer strips and roads etc) of between 29 – 33 ha before any adjustments to the manure analysis.
If this is available and the producer intends to utilise some or all his own manure he must then keep records of all applications on a field by field basis, ensuring that in the case of light/sandy land or shallow soils manure is not spread in the closed periods (1 September – 1 November on grass, 1 August – 1 November on other land). However, further care is needed to avoid breaching the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice.
For example, any 10 metre buffer strips alongside dykes or ditches would not be included in any calculation of available spreading area. Furthermore, the codes would be breached by applying manure at a greater rate than required by any growing crop and the NVZ guidelines give useful information on the amount of N available to crops depending on the timing of application.
Importantly, account must be taken of any other livestock on the farm. For example, many free range producers also keep sheep and their output, even though fairly small, will potentially reduce the amount of poultry manure that can be applied.
Find a friendly neighbour
DEFRA guidelines suggest that, in the case of nitrogen output in excess of available land, producers consider a reduction in stock numbers. This is unlikely to be an option in the case of free range producers in an industry that is trying its hardest to expand in response to consumer demand and many producers will indeed face the dilemma of more manure than they can utilise, even without further birds coming on stream. However, all is not lost.
In fact, the producer who decides to export some or all of his manure has a less onerous task than those who retain it. Apart from finding another farmer willing to take it, either for direct spreading or storage, his only responsibility thereafter is to keep a record of the receiving farm, how much left his farm, and when. The receiving farmer then has all the problems of complying with the NVZ Action Plan. Even if you are not yet in this happy position, bear in mind that the current limits on nitrogen application will reduce to 170 kilos at the end of 2006, so if you are on the limit now, you will need to find a friendly neighbour (or more land) before then.
The other potential problem for free range producers is storage. Most producers utilising their own manure are accustomed to storing it for a period of time prior to spreading simply because timings of flock turnaround and spreading window rarely coincide. Rules are already in force under the various Codes of Good Practice regarding storage. However, the NVZ guidelines reinforce these and in the case of solid manures capable of being stacked—including dry poultry manure—it is permissible for these to be temporarily stored in the open, providing that no part of the storage is within 10 metres of a field drain or watercourse or 50 metres of a spring or borehole likely to be used for human or dairy consumption. If this is not achievable storage on an impervious base and/or undercover will be necessary—a potentially expensive option but one that may be eligible for up to 40% grant aid.
A valuable product
If you are in an NVZ you should not ignore the implications. In many cases your Action Plan can be easily implemented and will only require yet more record keeping, unwelcome as that is. If you intend to use your own manure and/or import manure from other units the task is harder and some careful calculations will be needed.
If you wish to use parameters that vary from the standard figures—and I suggest that you will—you must obtain evidence to back up the variation. A simple analysis for N and DM of stored manure from your poultry house will be a good start and may prove to be money well spent if it enables you to use more of your own manure.
A final thought for those producers contemplating having to find outlets for their manure. The value of each tonne of fresh manure in nitrogen alone, compared with artificial fertiliser, is over £5. Add on the value of phosphate, potash and elements such as sulphur, together with the benefits to soil structure and, even if you can't persuade your neighbour to pay for it, he might at least realise what a bargain you are offering him!
Peter Chignell BFREPA secretary. Dec 2002
