Spreading slurry or other organic manures with high readily available nitrogen between 15 October and 15 November 2026

The extreme drought conditions experienced this summer significantly reduced grass growth. This affected the ability to: 

• appropriately spread slurry 
• reduce the volumes in slurry stores ahead of the autumn and the ‘closed periods’  

In response to these conditions, slurry or other organic manures with high readily available nitrogen, with the exclusion of poultry manure, may be spread between 15 October and 15 November 2026. This applies to all soil and crop types.

To minimise the risk of pollution during this period additional conditions apply.

You must:

• not spread more than 30 cubic metres per hectare (approximately 2670 gallons per acre)
• ensure a minimum of 3 weeks between each spreading 

NB. Existing requirements of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations still apply and must be considered.

Whenever you spread organic manures, including slurry, you must do so in a way which: 

• minimises the risk of pollution, and 
• complies with all other requirements of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations 

These include:

Planning the spreading of manures 

Before undertaking any spreading of any fertiliser containing nitrogen you must consider: 

• the requirements of the crop, and 
• if there is a crop requirement for the material being applied 

This should be included as part of your existing nutrient management planning. You should consider the nitrogen limits contained within the regulations. For more information on this see the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations guidance.  

Spreading in suitable conditions

You must carry out a field inspection at the time you intend to spread.  This is to consider the risk of nitrogen getting into surface water. In particular, you should note:

• the slope of the land, particularly if the slope is more than 12°
• any ground cover
• the proximity to surface water, streams or rivers
• the weather conditions
• the soil type, and
• the presence of land drains

You must not spread if:

• there is a significant risk identified
• the soil is waterlogged
• the the soil is flooded
• the soil is snow covered
• the soil is frozen
• the soil has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours