The body representing farm contractors has written to the government requesting a temporary extension of the slurry spreading period beyond October 1.

The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has said that unusual growing conditions have disrupted normal silage and slurry management patterns.

The FCI said that allowing additional spreading days, where appropriate conditions exist, would support further grass growth by allowing nutrients to be utilised while grass is still growing.

The association said this, in turn, would facilitate an additional autumn silage cut, thus reducing pressure on farmers as the winter housing period approaches.

The results from a survey of FCI membership show that one in three contractors spread 450,000 litres less slurry this year.

The FCI has requested that the government urgently examines a controlled extension to allow slurry spreading into October 2026, where weather, soil and ground conditions are suitable.

The association said it "fully recognises the importance of protecting water quality and maintaining Ireland’s environmental obligations, therefore, we are not requesting an unrestricted extension".

FCI managing director, Ann Gleeson Hanrahan said: “Contractors are not demanding a for a free-for-all on slurry spreading.

"We are asking government to recognise that the weather and ground conditions this year are exceptional, and to prepare a mechanism by which slurry could be spread beyond October 1 if the weather and ground conditions are suitable."

FCI national chairperson, Norman Egar added that any extension "should not be unrestricted, and must be designed to avoid nutrient losses to water".