Farmers urged to take care spreading manure and slurry (From Western Telegraph)

Farmers urged to take care spreading manure and slurry

11:20am Sunday 7th March 2010 in

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Environment Agency Wales is urging Pembrokeshire farmers to plan their slurry and manure spreading activities carefully.

Higher than usual levels of ammonia have been detected in the eastern and western Cleddau river.

Agency officers believe that run off from agricultural land spread with slurry may be entering the rivers and causing the ammonia levels to rise.

The amount of run-off from agricultural land can substantially increase during cold periods where fields have frozen, leading to run-off and pollution of watercourses.

Farmers should: l prioritise spreading choosing the most suitable fields first; l check the field before spreading for any problems with frozen soils; l avoid spreading on steeply sloping ground; l not apply more than 50m per hectare (4,500 gallons per acre) in a single application to reduce run-off risk.

l remember to leave an untreated buffer strip of ten metres along the edges of ditches, streams and rivers. Farmers should consider increasing the size of this strip where there is increased risk of run-off problems, for example at the bottom of slopes.

If farmers are still concerned and need further guidance, they can also call 08708 506 506 and ask to speak to a local agency officer in their area.