The 2024 nitrates derogation application system and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) portal for dairy farmers to indicate their nitrates dairy banding is now open for declarations.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Charlie McConalogue, today also announced that nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) statements for 2023 are available on-line.
The 2024 Nitrates Derogation applications can be submitted using DAFM’s on-line portal, while the nitrates dairy band for dairy herds can now be submitted online via the ICBF website.
The closing date for derogation applications and dairy banding submissions is April 19, 2024.
Minister McConalogue today (Tuesday, March 12) said: “The nitrates derogation provides farmers with an opportunity to farm at higher stocking rates, subject to certain conditions designed to protect the environment and meet the requirements of the nitrates directive.
“I encourage more intensively stocked farmers to engage as soon as possible with this application process and to discuss the need for a derogation with their agricultural advisor.”
The minister also reminded farmers that applied for a derogation in 2023, that they must submit fertiliser accounts for 2023 by the closing date.
Farmers who do not wish to avail of the derogation can also remain compliant with the regulations by managing their livestock or exporting slurry/farmyard manure.
Banding
January 2023 saw the introduction of nitrates banding for dairy cows, with the excretion rate of the cow linked to milk production and this will apply again in 2024.
Declaration can be done through the ICBF website, once farmers have consented to share their milk purchaser sharing their data with ICBF.
Farmers that have not consented to this will need to complete a manual form and provide supporting milk purchaser statements.
A number ‘adjustments’ are set to be introduced for 2024 to aid farmers facing the challenge of reduced stocking rates under the nitrates derogation.
As part of other adjustments, the option for a dairy farmer to feed a lower level of crude protein to their herd and achieve a reduced N excretion rate has been included on the ICBF portal.
In line with Teagasc research, appropriate reductions in nutrient excretion rate will apply across all three milk yield bands.
Minister McConalogue added: “To allow farmers to plan and seek recognition for these proposed changes in 2024, I am allowing dairy farmers to avail of this option to reduce their herd’s excretion rate by declaring their intention to feed lower crude protein concentrates to their cows in 2024 and then following through on this during the year.”
This opt-in measure will only be available to those who declare their band through ICBF.
The minister also announced that the nitrogen and phosphorus statements (N and P statements) for the period January 1 to December 31, 2023, for cattle only are now available on the DAFM’S online system agfood.