Securing Master Slurry workshop place a priority amid rising fertiliser prices

With the high cost of purchased fertiliser concentrating farmers’ minds on the nutrients in farm slurry and manure, an opportunity to learn more about exploiting the value in those is still available in Wales.

There are just days to go before the 21 February deadline to apply for a place on Farming Connect’s new Master Slurry course – but places are still available for farmers who act promptly.

One of the workshops is being run by independent grassland and forage specialist Chris Duller who will cover all issues relating to the spreading of slurry and manures and will share his knowledge on the value of those nutrients, including digestate and poultry manure.

There will be useful advice about the incoming The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021, including risk maps, storage heaps and record-keeping, and how farmers can work out if their business will be compliant, together with a practical field session on risk assessment and assessing ground conditions. 

Environmental consultant Keith Owen, of KeBek, will guide course participants through the new regulations on storage and provide important advice on how to reduce slurry and dirty water production economically and how to calculate required storage capacity, with tips on what can be included – and what can’t.

There will also be input from Pembrokeshire dairy farmer Chris James who has had first-hand experience of farming in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone; he will share the knowledge he has gained through navigating those regulations and the consequential benefits to grassland production and cost of production.

Farming Connect Dairy Technical Officer Simon Pitt says the course is limited to 15 places so urged farmers to act quickly to secure their place.

“To participate, farmers and contractors need to show good understanding and experience on the use of their key on-farm resources,” he explains.

“Successful participants also need to be committed, and willing to contribute to a high-level workshop.”

The course will run at Coleg Gelli Aur, Llandeilo, on 8 and 9 March 2022, from 10am to 3.30pm each day.

To apply, call Simon Pitt on 07939 177935 or visit our website – https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect

Farming Connect, which is delivered by Menter a Busnes and Lantra, has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.