Farm waste storage capacity: it’s time to audit the farm

By Tom Murphy (Teagasc Advisor)

With increasing scrutiny on water quality, nutrient management and environmental compliance, farm waste storage has never been more important. Whether you're operating a dairy, beef, sheep or mixed enterprise, having adequate storage for slurry, farmyard manure, silage effluent and soiled water is a legal requirement and a vital part of good farm management. From 2028 storage requirements: for slurry from dairy cows will be 21% higher; and for dairy washings it will be 40% higher than currently required.

Many farmers only think about storage when tanks are approaching capacity, but planning ahead can avoid unnecessary pressure during the closed period and reduce the risk of costly environmental incidents. As stocking rates increase and weather patterns become less predictable, sufficient storage capacity provides greater flexibility when conditions are unsuitable for land spreading.

Understanding the legal requirements

Under Ireland's nitrates regulations, every livestock farm must provide a minimum level of storage for organic manures and other farm wastes. The required storage period varies depending on the county in which the farm is located and reflects differences in climate and rainfall.

Storage calculations are based on livestock numbers, housing duration and the volume of waste produced by different classes of animals. Farmers also need to account for rainfall entering uncovered tanks, washings from collecting yards, parlours and handling facilities, and any other contaminated water that enters the system.

Silage effluent presents a particular challenge because even relatively small volumes can cause serious pollution if allowed to enter drains or watercourses. All silage pits must be designed to collect and safely store effluent until it can be appropriately managed.

In County Galway and Co. Clare (Nitrates Zone B), the closed /winter storage period is deemed to be 18 weeks, and rainfall here during that period amounts to just over 0.6m.

Slurry storage is about more than compliance

While meeting legal requirements is essential, additional storage can provide significant management benefits. Farms with surplus capacity have greater flexibility to wait for favourable weather and suitable ground conditions before spreading slurry.

Applying slurry during dry weather when grass is actively growing improves nutrient uptake and reduces the risk of nutrient loss through runoff. This not only benefits water quality but also maximises the fertiliser value of slurry, reducing reliance on purchased chemical fertiliser.

Soiled water requires careful management

Soiled water is often overlooked but can account for a significant proportion of overall storage requirements. Rainwater contaminated by livestock, silage, feed or manure must be collected separately from clean water.

Simple improvements such as diverting clean roof water away from dirty yards can substantially reduce the volume entering storage tanks.

Every litre of clean water kept out of slurry storage represents valuable capacity that can be used for genuine farm waste.

Maintaining gutters, downpipes and drainage systems is a straightforward way to reduce unnecessary pressure on storage facilities.

Dairy Washings

Dairy washings (not to be confused with soiled water), attract a separate scrutiny and complex legal storage requirement depending on your Dairying system and whether they can be stored separately or if they mix with slurry.

Planning realistically

Any planned increase in livestock numbers should trigger an evaluated plan and a review of storage capacity. Sometimes, the most suitable plan will involve curtailing livestock numbers and farm practices and perhaps running a lower stocking level with less stress and greater overall profit.

Professional advice from agricultural consultants or engineers can ensure new stores meet both regulatory requirements and future farm needs.

Financial support

Capital investment in farm infrastructure can represent great expense, but significant grant aid is currently available through the Eu backed Government TAMS III (Targeted Animal Modernisation Schemes). TAMS operates through 11 different application options, and the AWNSS (Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme) option provides funding at two levels per applicant.

Funding for up to €90k expenditure (at 60% grant rate) is available for farm waste storage facilities (including concrete slatted tanks, overground slurry stores, lined lagoons and dung-steads).

A further €90k funding for general expenditure including roofed animal housing (at 40% grant rate) is also available.

This general grant rate is increased to 60% for qualified Young Farmers and recognised Women Farmers. The grant aid ceiling is increased to €160 per farm for both parts if a Registered Farm Partnership is in place.

Although TAMS is currently under budgetary constraints due to high uptake levels, a commitment is in place to approve all Farm Waste Storage related applications when the Ranking and Selection Process is applied.

New slurry storage with TAMS

Construction of a six-bay unroofed Cattle slurry tank covered with 16 1/2’ slats (31.5m length x 4.72m x 2.4m deep) is currently costed at €43,500 + VAT approx. (VAT to be reclaimed).

Grant aid at 60 per cent reduces the overall cost by €26,100 to €17,400. The overall cost to the farmer is €870/an over a 20-year lifetime. This cost is also tax allowable reducing costs further depending on the tax situation.

Accelerated tax allowances (50%) for Farm Waste storage (ACA Scheme) permits write off of €17,500 over two years if desired.

It provides slurry storage capacity for 37 dairy cows (30 post 2027). If roofed current storage capacity increases to 54 dairy cows (45 post 2027). The overall net cost could be less than €10 per cow per annum.

Practical checklist

As a farmer ask yourself these questions:

Does current storage, comfortably meet current and post 2027 legal requirements?

Has farm expansion increased slurry production?

Is clean rainwater entering slurry tanks unnecessarily?

Are slurry tanks, channels and collection systems in good repair?

Is sufficient capacity available to delay spreading until weather and soil conditions are suitable?

Now is a good time to audit your farm facilities and assess them in conjunction with all requirements and get your Advisors opinion on the best options open to you. Taking the time to review storage capacity today can prevent significant financial and environmental consequences in the future.