The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has commenced notifying certain farmers of their interim Nitrogen statement covering cattle numbers held on the farm for the first 6 months of 2014. This is being done by text message with messages issuing to those farmers whose cattle numbers would indicate that they may be approaching or exceeding the limits set down in the Nitrates regulations.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements for the period 1 January to 30 June 2014 are also now available for all farmers online by registering on www.agfood.ie. These NP statements are a valuable tool, especially for the more intensive farmers, and should assist them in deciding whether or not they need to change their farming practices before the end of the year to stay within the limits set down in the Nitrates Regulations.

Farmers not already registered for agfood.ie can do so by logging onto www.agfood.ie and clicking the ‘Register’ button. To register a mobile phone number for future SMS text alerts log on to https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/mobileupdates/ to access the sign-on form, or alternatively contact the regional office. If a herd owner does not have access to online or SMS text alert notification services, the interim NP statements can be obtained from the regional offices or from the Department’s Nitrates Section, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford.

Similar arrangements will be in place later in the year for the period January to September 2014.

View Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 113/2014 (pdf 91Kb) 

Date Released: 28 July 2014