1. The 3rd Nitrates Directive programme and beyond

2. Importance of grazed grass
(93% of ag. area)
Grass €80/t DM
Grass silage silage €150/t DM
Concs €270/ t DM

4. Irelands dairy industry
Grass based
EU milk production
18,000 farms producing 7.2 billion litres 5.3% of EU dairy cows producing 4.5% of EU milk

5. Whole territory approach (N and P)
Managing Nutrients
Whole territory approach (N and P)
Core principles
Application limit of 170 kg N/ha/yr from livestock manure
N and P fertilisation rates in the Regulations cannot be exceeded
Grassland fertilisation rates based on stocking rate
In the case of grazing livestock take account of:
N and P in livestock manures over storage period
P in concentrates fed to grazing livestock
(additional calculations required)

6. Controls Legislation S.I No. 31 of 2014
European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations
Interdepartmental and interagency co-operation
Local Authorities and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
Enforcement
Cross compliance
Derogation

7. Irelands Derogation Commission Decisions of 2007, 2010 ,2014
Derogation up to 250 kg N/ha/yr
Holdings with at least 80% grass
Annual application to Competent Authority (DAFM)
Long growing season - Grass growth virtually all year round
High N uptake - High yield potential of grass
High net precipitation mm

8. Agricultural Catchments Programme Research Highlights
Nutrient use efficiency increasing
Decreasing % of excessively high P soils
Closed spreading period is effective in reducing nutrient losses
Significant climate effect on losses
Contact with an agricultural advisor OR advisor plus farmer discussion group has a positive effect on NMP adoption
Pathway important
Lag times

10. Standard v Simple

11. Motivation to follow opinion or advice regarding changing farm practices
Mean Scores (1 to 5)

12. Targeted additional measures
GLAS – 45% of all actions benefit water quality, incl. NMP
TAMS – improving nutrient management and nutrient use efficiency

13. Targeted additional measures
Knowledge exchange
improving understanding
of environmental and economic efficiencies (ACP)
Breeding programmes
Economic breeding Index
Beef data genomics programme
Grass breeding (PBI)

14. Summary Grass based production systems
Strong action programme (N and P)
Nutrient use efficiency increasing
Photo courtesy Teagasc

15. Summary Targeted use of resources Simplification key
Collaboration vital