MMN November 2024 – Winter Slurry Storage Contingency Planning

With the cows housed and the night’s drawing in, we can be sure that the weather will also turn sooner rather than later. This winter will mark the last before the 22-week storage requirement comes into effect for those operating livestock on a slurry system. Therefore, now is a good time to take stock of where your business is in terms of storage and compliance - you’ll likely not get a better chance to see your farm at its wettest and the window to act is closing.

Following the update to the Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR) to incorporate the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (as amended) (SSAFO) a mandatory requirement has been enacted to provide a minimum of 22-weeks of effective slurry storage. This change is not exclusive to the dairy industry but farmers in the sector are most likely to be impacted. The table below provides an overview of the new requirement, setting out important context.

Aspect	Rationale
Minimum storage capacity	The new rule mandates that farms with cattle must have sufficient slurry storage to last for 22 weeks, a reduction from 26 weeks required under SSAFO. This is to ensure that farmers have enough capacity to store slurry during the times of the year when spreading it on fields is either not allowed or not advisable, e.g. during winter when prolonged wet weather increases the risk of run-off from fields.
Why 22 weeks?	The 22-week requirement is based on ensuring that farmers can handle slurry in an environmentally responsible way, as well as aligning NVZ rules and CAR. It provides a buffer to avoid slurry applications at inappropriate times, especially during the closed period for slurry spreading within NVZs and when field conditions are inappropriate in other areas (typically the winter period). This duration has been calculated to ensure that farmers can store slurry safely during months when spreading would be harmful to both soil and water bodies due to waterlogged, frozen or snow-covered ground.
Impacts on water quality	The requirement is aimed at reducing the risk of nutrient run-off into nearby rivers, streams, and other water bodies. This is part of a broader strategy to reduce agricultural pollution, as slurry can be a major source of nitrate, phosphorus and faecal bacteria. With adequate storage, farmers can manage slurry better, spreading it only when conditions are suitable, rather than when storage facilities are full, which historically led to pollution incidents.
Implementation timeline	Farmers were given a four-year transition period to comply with these requirements. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and other Scottish Government agencies are working with farmers to support them in meeting this standard. However, those who fail to meet the requirement may face penalties, including fines or restrictions on their operations. All farms operating outside of a NVZ must comply with the minimum storage requirement by 1 January 2026.

 

So, what can you do? Well, cows will always produce slurry and as a general rule of thumb, the more milk, the more slurry. With that in mind, the easiest wins are often to be found in cutting down the amount of clean water that enters your stores.

 

Areas of concern	Why target?
Parlour	Standard figures suggest that the average farm uses between 18 - 35 litres of water/cow/day to wash the parlour. Any actions that can be taken to reduce use or recycle water ultimately means fewer litres of water being contaminated and requiring storage. Consider rainwater harvesting or if water used in plate coolers for example could be diverted to the parlour.
Steading	It might seem simple but making sure guttering and downpipes are intact and fully functional can go a long way in cutting down on water around the steading. Water that hits a roof is classed as clean until it mixes with slurry, so don’t let it and you won’t have to deal with it.
Stores	Concerns around the consistency of slurry and how easily it will spread if too thick are absolutely valid. However, where a business can cover their stores, this can provide excesses of effective storage and extend the storage capacity of existing towers and lagoons.

 

If in doubt, Farming and Water Scotland is available to provide support and advice, with a range of helpful and easy to understand guides and factsheets on topics ranging from slurry storage to RAMS mapping and ditch clearing to use of pesticides.

alexander.pirie@sac.co.uk; 01292 525036