Making sure silage is
as dry as possible
before bailing not only makes better silage,
but can also cut down on the risk of causing
pollution.
The strength of silage
effluent has polluting potential of up to
two hundred times more than untreated sewage.
As a result, it is incredibly important
to keep even very small quantities away
from streams and ditches.
Farmers are aware of
appreciate the harmful potential of effluent
and, as a result, many are taking greater
care. In recent years, the number of pollution
incidents from silage effluent have dropped.
Bob Merriman, Agriculture
Policy Advisor, Environment Agency Wales
said:
“We are urging farmers
to continue to be vigilant whichever way
they choose to make silage and to keep up
the good work that they are doing. “We are,
however, worried about the potential for
increased problems in making and storing
silage, this year.
“The recent rapid grass
growth could bring a higher moisture content
and the unsettled weather now forecast may
disrupt the wilting process. These factors
can increase effluent volumes substantially
and some farmers could get caught out.”
Environment Agency Wales
is now appealing to farmers to make sure
they avoid causing pollution when making
silage, this season:
Ensure silos and effluent
systems comply with the Silage, Slurry and
Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations.
Before making silage, give the system an
‘MOT, ensure silos and effluent systems
are in good condition, seal and protect
any cracks that may have appeared.
Consider weather forecasts, if at all possible,
avoid making silage if wet weather is forecast.
Wilt the grass as much as possible, as this
can virtually eliminate effluent.
Have a contingency plan in place to collect
any silage effluent that does leak, or that
is produced in larger volumes than usual.
After making silage:
Check drains and ditches
daily for any signs of leaking effluent.
Ensure that collection channels and drains
remain free of obstructions.
Make sure the effluent tanks do not overflow.
Don’t waste the effluent, spread it onto
the land as fertiliser, or feed it back
to livestock.
If silage is made in ‘big bales’ then follow
the usual precautions:
Make silage as dry as
possible by wilting.
Do not store or open bales within 10m of
any watercourse or 50m of any spring etc.
Do not store in road lay-bys if they still
have operational roadside drains.
Sensible silage use can protect the environment
and reduce costs. For more information and
advice, farmers can call Environment Agency
Wales on 08708 506 506 and ask to speak
to the agriculture team their area.
+ More
Environment Agency offer
advice to farmers
The Environment Agency
will be on hand to talk to farmers at the
National Beef Event on 21 May 2009 at the
Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
Environment Agency staff
will be answering any questions on the new
Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Regulations and
offering advice on best practice nutrient
and soil management. There will be a seminar
on Nutrient Management on Farms - an Agency
perspective.
Farmers will also be
able to pick up free copies of the Best
Farming Practices publication.
This publication, as
described by Nichola Salter, the Environment
Agency stand manager on the day: “is to
show simple, low-cost actions that you can
take that make good sense for the environment
and for your farm business. We'd much rather
help you to profit from a good environment
than see you penalised for bad practice.”
As the theme for this
year's event is 'Beef up your Returns',
the Environment Agency will be discuss profiting
from a good environment. With the high costs
of energy, feed and water on farms, the
advice can really make a difference.
Nichola continued: “We
are really looking forward to meeting some
farmers and helping clarify the new Nitrate
Vulnerable Zone Regulations and sharing
some money saving techniques.”
Copies of the Best Farming
Practices newspaper will be at the event
too. However, if you can’t make the event
you can order a copy by calling 08708 506
506.
The Environment Agency
will be at Stand 111 in the Avon Suite.
TV wildlife presenter
Steve Backshall to launch hunt for best
young environment photographers
The Environment Agency is searching for
talented young photographers while highlighting
one of the most important environmental
issues facing the country: the vital resource
that is our water.
The competition, ‘Water:
What’s the Story?’ is designed to get young
people thinking about how they interact
with the water environment; be that as part
of everyday life, as a lifeline or for sport
and recreation.
In launching the national
campaign for Under-16s, BBC TV natural history
presenter, Steve Backshall, said: “As a
naturalist I spend most of my life in the
great outdoors and am convinced that this
is essential for a happy, full, healthy
life.
“I am delighted to have
been asked to support this competition which
gets children thinking about the vital role
water plays in our environment and hopefully
will encourage them to get outside and enjoy
the wonders of the natural world.”
Environment Agency Chairman,
Lord Chris Smith, said: “For centuries artists
have captured our changing environment and
this is an opportunity for children to add
to that commentary. I hope young people
will get involved by entering a photograph
and, more importantly, thinking about what
the changes in the environment - such as
less water due to climate change - will
mean for their future."
For more information
on the competition, the Environment Agency
and water, visit: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/photocompetition
