Carmarthenshire: Slurry – Opportunities to replace purchased fertilisers

Join AHDB and Farming Connect to learn about how to evaluate slurry and other organic manures and incorporate them effectively in your Nutrient Planning with independent consultant Chris Duller and strategic dairy farm host Richard Twose.

The nutrient value of slurry should not be overlooked. As fertiliser costs rise and availability becomes tighter, the N,P&K within slurry and other organic manures have an increasing importance.

At current fertiliser prices, the plant available N,P,K content alone of a typical cow slurry is worth £7 per m³, or £210 per Ha. for a typical application. This value can only be realised if manures are applied in the right place at the right time at the right rate.

During this event you will learn more about:

• How best to quantify the nutritional contents of your slurry.
• Gaining a good understanding of your soil and crop requirements.
• How to incorporate slurry into a nutrient management plan to make the best use of it.
• Efficient management of slurry to save on purchased fertilisers.
• How the incoming Control of agricultural pollution regs may impact on your business

About the farm:

A traditional family farm, Maenhir sits on the Carmarthenshire / Pembrokeshire border and is owned and operated by the Twose family.

Bought by the Twose family in 1975, Maenhir originally consisted of just 120 acres. Today the farm has expanded to 600 acres, with a further 100 rented, which supports their herd of 400 pedigree Holsteins and a number of smaller enterprises run by the family.

Maenhir operates an all year round calving herd, with an autumn weighting.  The herd are achieving an average yield of over 9000 litres with 3.39% protein and 4.12% butter fat. Sexed semen is used for all replacements with the rest of the herd put to beef. They have achieved excellent conception rates with their heifers and have an average age of first calving between 22–24 months.

About the speaker:

Chris Duller is an independent soil and grassland specialist who has been advising farmers on slurry and soil management for the past 25 years.  He has recently been working closely with individuals and farmer groups across Wales to help prepare their businesses for the incoming Control of Agricultural Pollution regulations.