Holland | Fertilization

CDM advises on additional manure measures in the event of drought

In anticipation of a (possibly) dry summer in 2019, Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) has asked the Committee of Experts for Fertilizers Act (CDM) whether additional manure measures can be taken.

7/29/2019

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In anticipationof a (possibly) dry summer in 2019, Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Natureand Food Quality (LNV) has asked the Committee of Experts for Fertilizers Act(CDM) whether additional manure measures can be taken in the event of a newdrought situation - in addition to measures already taken - . The CDM hasexamined three potential measures: the extension of the period during whichliquid manure can be spread, the extension of the period during which grasslandcan be torn and the extension of the period for sowing of catch crops in maizecultivation. The Committee concludes that no additional manure measures arerequired.

Accordingto the CDM, an important difference with last year is that this year (untilmid-July) there were favorable conditions nationally for driving liquid manure.For example, in a large part of the country there is no question of a droughtsituation like in 2018. However, the CDM sees a risk in the small amount ofprecipitation that fell after the drought in 2018 in the east and southeast ofthe country. It is possible that insufficient rain falls there, causing thecorn to develop poorly and the grassland to wither.

The CDMalso notes that there is still a lot of nitrogen in the soil. As a result, thesoil contains sufficient minerals for crop growth; there is more a surplus thana deficit. Extending the liquid manure withdrawal period therefore has no addedvalue, but does entail additional risk of leaching nitrate into thegroundwater.

With a viewto tearing grassland for re-sowing and sowing catch crops, the CDM advisesfarmers not to wait, even when it is dry. It is important that the seeds canbenefit from the first rainfall. If sowing takes place after the rain, thisleads to unnecessary delays in the growth of the crop and a reduction in nitrogenuptake from the soil. This makes it important to sow in time and therefore theCDM advises not to extend the permitted periods for this.

<b>Previouslytaken measures</b>

In 2018 theMinistry of LNV - due to the drought situation - extended the period in which liquidmanure could be used and torn grassland could be extended. These measures havebecome part of the manure regulations. From this year, it is permitted to use liquidmanure on arable land until 15th September, provided that a green fertilizer issown. The withdrawal period of liquid manure on grassland is still until 31^stAugust. The permitted period for torn grassland on sandy and loess soils hasalso been extended until 1st September.