Latest news with #Agri-FoodandBiosciencesInstitute
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Final registration deadline for NI Soil Nutrient Health Scheme approaching
The final deadline for registering for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) is fast approaching, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland has said. Farm businesses in Co. Antrim (zone 4) and any other farms across zones 1 to 3 which have not already registered should do so before the closing date of midnight on September 1. This is the last time the scheme will be open for registration. The soil scheme, first launched in 2022, is managed by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). Over 18,600 farm businesses in Zones 1, 2 and 3 are already taking part in the scheme. Zone 1 of the scheme (Co. Down and parts of counties Antrim and Armagh) opened from May to September 2022. Zone 2 (Co. Fermanagh, the west of Co. Armagh and south Co. Tyrone) opened from June to August 2023. Zone 3 (north Co. Tyrone and Co. Derry) opened from June to August 2024. Uptake by farm businesses across zones 1, 2 and 3 was at 90% overall. Farmers in these zones who have not yet registered can still do so. Zone 4 opened for online registrations on June 16, 2025, and to date, over 2,000 farm businesses have registered. As part of the scheme, farm businesses receive information to help match slurry, fertiliser and lime applications to crop needs more accurately. This aims to increase efficiency and protect the environment. Taking part in the scheme and completing the training is planned to be a conditionality for the new Farm Sustainability Payment from January 2026.
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Eel fishing season hit by 'unprecedented' closure
Lough Neagh fishermen have said that pollution "cannot be allowed" to bring an end to eel fishing in the lough. Brown eel fishing will not resume in the area this year due to environmental changes. Seventh generation eel-fisherman Gary McErlain called the cancellation "unprecedented". It comes after the reduced fat content of the eels meant the early catches were rejected by the continental market that usually prizes them. In the meantime, eel fishermen like Mr McErlain are having to turn their attentions elsewhere. "It's fair to say there's other fish to fish for in Lough Neagh, which is a blessing and a lifeline for us," he told BBC News NI. "But to think that with all we've gone through for generations and the fight to maintain the right to fish, that we've got to a stage where pollution is the thing that potentially could bring this to a close? That cannot be allowed to happen." The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) monitors the eels on an annual basis. In a statement, the research body said "catches in Lough Neagh so far in 2025 have been higher than recent years up to this date" and that numbers are "primarily dependent" on young fish surviving the journey across the sea. The eel feeds on larvae of the Lough Neagh fly, in the bed and water of the Lough. AFBI said it had taken a "very limited sample" on the day the fishery closed and recorded the larvae in 35% of the stomach contents analysed which is higher than recent, larger samples. Consultation A consultation on proposals to improve water quality was branded out of touch by farmers, who said the plan did not recognise the day-to-day reality of agriculture. The backlash led to the consultation period being extended, and then the announcement that a review group would be established when it closed. Proposals from that group will then go to further consultation, with a final document to be brought to the Executive for approval as soon as possible. That move led farming leaders to encourage people to respond to the consultation. But they are still concerned about the "very severe potential impact" of the plans, according to Jason Rankin from the industry body AgriSearch. "We're estimating that Daera's (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) target for 2029 of an eight kilogramme phosphorus surplus per hectare could have an impact across the Northern economy of approaching £1.6 billion", he said. The group has called for "a win-win mentality", with "solutions and innovation to address the water quality issues we have in Northern Ireland while protecting the agricultural sector". Some farmers already take a different approach. County Down dairy farmer Tim Morrow has made changes over the years to reduce his fertiliser and feed inputs. He has planted multi-species swards across his fields and plans to entirely move away from fertiliser use over the next decade. But he can understand the fears of farmers who were encouraged to intensify. "Farmers were asked to produce more food and that's exactly what they've done - they've put up bigger sheds, they carry more cows. And all of a sudden, there's an about-turn", he said. "If you've something that's working, it's very hard to change. "l would love to see incentive-based change, encouragement for change, rather than penalties and that way for change." The Ulster Farmers' Union has warned that the draft proposals could see farmers having to reduce their livestock numbers. "If there was a programme saying, over the next five to 10 years, you're required to be doing this - mixed swards, more hedges - there are things that can happen if people are given enough notice," said Mr Morrow. "As farmers we're very aware that we're not doing all the polluting. There's a water company or two that maybe need a bit of work and a lot of farmers feel they're being picked on here." The Nutrient Action Programme (NAP) is a legal requirement. It is reviewed every four years, with this latest version already several years overdue. When it was first introduced in 2007, it led to improvements in water quality. But Daera says those have largely been offset by the intensification of agriculture since 2012. Agricultural pollution is the biggest contributor to the blue-green algal crisis in Lough Neagh. Other sources of pollution, like wastewater treatment, industrial effluent and septic tank seepage also play a part. Lough Neagh fishing industry 'victim' of environmental damage Farmers say NI pollution proposals 'out of touch' Minister 'determined' to chart path for delayed water pollution plan
Agriland
05-05-2025
- Science
- Agriland
Reducing ammonia by up to 54% through combined innovations
Introducing management strategies to help reduce ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions and lessen the impact of the chemical on the surrounding environment is crucial. However, it is important to first of all understand the emission sources and magnitude of nitrogen (N) release to navigate the 'pinch points' on farm where you can employ innovative technologies to achieve maximum impact. Senior air quality technologist, Judith McCord states that modelling of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Dairy Centre inputs through the National Ammonia Reduction Strategy Evaluation System (NARSES) allowed the flow of total N and total amount of ammoniacal N (TAN) to be quantified. The use of this farm ammonia modelling tool identified where ammonia is produced and how N is managed through the farm enterprise cycle. The ammonia assessment was compiled using farm data relating to herd and manure management from the following three age stages of livestock: Dairy cows; Dairy calves (0-1-years-of-age); Dairy replacement heifer (1-2-years-of-age). CAFRE commissioned the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to work on the modelling of farm ammonia emissions with and without ammonia mitigation technologies applied. The modelling assessed a range of legislative and voluntary measures implemented at the CAFRE Dairy Centre. Reducing ammonia Ammonia emissions for the CAFRE Dairy Enterprise for the year modelled amounted to 3.54t. This scenario comprised as follows: 187 Holstein Friesian dairy cows; 30% replacement rate; 100% stabilised urea used on grazing and forage ground (no calcium ammonia nitrate); 100% use of low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE); Targeted and reduced crude protein (CP) diet of 17% for the milking herd; Low emission flooring in the milking cow cubicle house and high frequency scraping; All above ground slurry stores covered with an impermeable cover. Application of slurry using LESSE reduces ammonia emissions on the CAFRE Farm Estates. Low emission flooring is used within the CAFRE Dairy Centre to reduce the mixing of faeces and urine. The non-mitigated comparison modelled comprised as follows: 100% calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) (no stabilised urea) Splash plate slurry application; No targeted or reduced dietary protein; Standard concrete flooring with limited scraping; Open above ground slurry stores. This scenario resulted in modelled emissions of 6.61t NH 3 /year. At the CAFRE Dairy Centre, lactating dairy cows had 48% lower ammonia emissions when there were mitigation strategies implemented in comparison to having none in place. The dairy replacement enterprise and dairy calves had 55% and 68% lower ammonia emissions respectively when the relevant mitigation technologies were applied. McCord commented that the result was very encouraging, and said: 'The use of ammonia-reducing technologies on Northern Ireland farms will help the sector reduce ammonia emissions.' Judith McCord, senior technologist, CAFRE reports on the use of reduced and targeted crude protein diets for the dairy cattle at CAFRE. Emission sources The biggest hotspots for emissions within the CAFRE Dairy Centre were in the milking cow category and manure handling during housing and spreading. Housing emissions account for 42% of the total in both the mitigated and non-mitigated scenarios. However, mitigation technologies modelled in housing such as low emission flooring and reduced protein diets accounted for reductions of 0.78t and 0.34t/year, respectively. Emission sources on farm showed positive reductions in manure spreading and manure storage, where the use of LESSE and impermeable covered slurry stores accounted for approximately 2t/year of combined reductions. Above ground slurry stores are covered to reduce ammonia emissions at the CAFRE Dairy Centre. The use of protected urea in the mitigated scenario reduced the amount of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions produced in comparison to unprotected urea. McCord said: 'Mitigation strategies that can be implemented at various stages of the system will help to reduce ammonia emissions.' 'Demonstrated clearly at CAFRE – the efficient management of nitrogen can contribute to a reduction of ammonia emissions by up to 54%.' The top three ammonia-reduction technologies to apply on farm, based on the CAFRE ammonia emissions scenarios, are as follows: 100% use of LESSE; Installing low emission flooring which has an ammonia efficiency factor of 11kg NH 3 , alongside high frequency scraping (every 2 hours); , alongside high frequency scraping (every 2 hours); Reducing CP in milking cow diets by up to 2%.
