Severn Trent encourages farmers to be prepared

The water company said it was reminding farmers to stay ahead of the wet weather  with responsible slurry management.

But Georgie Hyde, NFU Midlands environment and land use adviser, said farmers were already fully aware of their responsibilities.   

Georgie said: “Farmers and growers care passionately about our rivers and recognise their businesses have a clear role to play, alongside producing food, in improving water quality.

“Much progress has already been made through regulation and voluntary measures such as carefully managing how much manure and fertiliser is applied to fields.

“The use of organic manures has always been at the heart of sustainable food production. There are rigorous rules and regulations that are in place and farmers are fully aware of their responsibilities in relation to manure spreading."

Rain brings an increased risk of nitrate and phosphate pollution in watercourses, so it’s vital to work together to minimise this risk, explained Severn Trent’s agricultural adviser team manager for the West, Mark Biddulph.

“Even if you’re not in a designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), spreading slurry on waterlogged, flooded or frozen ground brings a high risk of causing environmental damage," he said. 

“Rather than enriching soils and supporting crop growth, manure applied now is more likely to lose its value to the environment, resulting in soil damage and runoff."

Mr Biddulph said that rain increases the chance of nutrient-rich slurry being washed away into nearby watercourses or leached into groundwater.

“Slurry and manure are so valuable for crop and soil nutrition because they’re rich in diverse nutrients, including nitrates,” he added. 

“However, nitrates are extremely water-soluble, making them very mobile.

“When applied during the spring growth period on grassland or maize, for instance, nitrogen is quickly absorbed by plants, helping to build chlorophyll and produce proteins.

“But now the plants aren’t actively growing and roots may be waterlogged, uptake will be significantly lower.”

He added: “Water tables will also be much higher, following heavy rainfall, so there’s more water around to wash the nitrates out of the crop-growing system and into watercourses, causing environmental damage.”

Whether in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) or not, Mr Biddulph reminded farmers of the key elements of the Farming Rules for Water.

“Ensuring nutrients are safely applied to match both crop and soil needs not only protects the environment, but it also means you’re making the best use of valuable homegrown inputs,” he said. 

If farmers face an urgent need to reduce slurry volume on-farm over winter, they are advised to always consult the Environment Agency.