Cattle slurry with a dry matter content of 6% is estimated to have a nutrient value of €29/1,000 gallons, according to Teagasc.

The value is based on the current prices for chemical fertilisers and assuming 1,000gal of cattle slurry to have the equivalent nutrient value of a 50kg bag of 9:5:32.

This is also assuming the slurry is applied using low emission slurry spreading (LESS).

As farmers will know, different types of cattle slurry will have different nutrient values, and there can be a huge variability in the nutritive content of cattle slurry from one farm to the next or even from one tank on a particular farm to the next.

Getting slurry tested prior to application will allow farmers to know exactly what nutrients paddocks are getting.

A Teagasc survey testing slurry across a range of farms produced the following average values per 1,000gal of cattle slurry.:

9 units of nitrogen (N);
5 units of phosphorus (P);
32 units of potassium (K).

Factors such as the slurry dry matter (DM), the animals from which the slurry is produced, the feeding regime of the animals, and the exposure of the tank to rain or weather conditions can significantly impact the nutrient value of slurry.

As always, it is important to think safety when working around slurry, and beware of the dangers of open tanks, slurry machinery, and slurry gases when agitating, which can kill.

When applying slurry, farmers should be mindful of the ground conditions and target slurry to the right field at the right time and the right rate.

Both zones 'A' and 'B' are now open for slurry spreading and Zone 'C' will open for spreading on February 1.

Teagasc also advises farmers to adhere to a 10m buffer zone for two weeks after the opening date near waterways.