Since January 1, 2025 the use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS) has become compulsory on farms stocked at 100kg N/ha or above.

The new regulations affect a large number of farmers who may not realise they fall into the category.

LESS involves using advanced slurry spreading equipment that applies slurry more precisely and closer to the soil surface, compared to the traditional splash plate.

According to Teagasc, the two most common types of LESS systems which are used on Irish farms are dribble bar and trailing shoe.

Dribble bar: This deposits the slurry on top of the grass. The dribble bar has several advantages, including requiring lower horsepower (hp) and being the most economical option when purchasing LESS equipment.

Trailing shoe: This parts the grass and deposits slurry directly onto the soil surface. This system reduces grass contamination, which allows animals to graze sooner compared to the traditional splash plate method.

The use of a trailing shoe allows slurry to be spread on fields with higher grass coverage due to the reduction in grass contamination.

Another option is a shallow injection system, but this is uncommon among Irish farmers and contractors.

For best results from slurry application, Teagasc has said that farmers should target dry, calm days to reduce run-off and volatility, which can cause nitrogen (N), typically in the form of ammonia gas, to be lost into the atmosphere from the soil.

Soil temperatures should always be above 6°C when spreading slurry to promote nutrient uptake by the grass.

It is also important to maintain a buffer zone along watercourses when spreading. This increases from 5m to 10m during the first two weeks of the spreading season.

When slurry is applied more precisely and closer to the ground using a dribble bar or trailing shoe, it significantly minimises the risk of nutrient run-off into rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

According to Teagasc, applying slurry using LESS technology can reduce ammonia emissions by 30-60% compared to the traditional splash plate, and it will have a significant part to play in meeting Irish agricultural emissions reduction targets.

The typical value of 1,000 gallons of slurry is equivalent to a 50kg bag of 9-5-32 fertiliser when applied using LESS technology.