Important reminder issued to Kildare farmers ahead of slurry spreading season

An important reminder has been issued by Kildare County Council (KCC) to farmers ahead of the slurry spreading season.

KCC advised farmers to be aware of the importance of safeguarding watercourses, as the 2026 slurry spreading season opens up tomorrow (January 13, 2026).  

As explained by KCC: "From this date, organic fertiliser, including slurry and farmyard manure, may be applied to land subject to suitable weather and ground conditions. 

KCC elaborated: "The European Union Good Agricultural Practices for Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (as amended), set out requirements for the collection, storage, management and land spreading of farmyard manure, organic fertiliser and soiled water produced on a farm holding.  

"Notably, since January 1 last, the use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS), such as trailing shoe and dribble bar, became compulsory on farms stocked at 100kg N / ha or above.

"Low emission spreading equipment is to be used to apply livestock manure to arable land and the livestock manure to be ploughed within 24 hours."

KCC also noted that applying slurry using LESS equipment can reduce ammonia emissions by 30 to 60 per cent, in comparison to the traditional splash plate method, by applying slurry more precisely and closer to the ground, which "significantly minimises the risk of nutrient runoff into rivers, lakes and groundwater".  

"These measures are vital for meeting Ireland’s agriculture emissions reduction targets," KCC added.

Moreover, KCC said that chemical fertilisers may only be spread from January 27, 2026.

Further information about the slurry spreading season and the responsibilities of farmers can be found on KCC's official website.

READ NEXT: E-scooter and motorcycle seized in Newbridge, Kildare