Slurry Storage and Spreading
Slurry听Storage and听Spreading听
January 2027 marks the final phase of the Diffuse Pollution General Binding Rules (GBRs) updates, with practical implications for livestock farmers on slurry-based systems.听
Changes to the rules around how we manage and store silage and slurry were introduced on 1 January 2022.听These amendments aimed to improve nutrient use efficiency on farm while reducing environmental impact.听
The regulatory updates were phased over five years, with target dates specifying when each change applied.听For example, early changes听from听January 2023听prohibited听the use of raised splash plates or rain guns for slurry application.听The amended regulations听also听required听the use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS) techniques,听initially听focusing on听contractors and farms with larger herd sizes听of over 100 milking cows or 200 beef cattle.听听
Most recently,听changes have been introduced around minimum storage capacity听for those on a slurry-based system.听With听effect听from听1 January 2026,听farms听should听have听a听minimum of听22 weeks听slurry听storage听(applicable to听cattle; 26 weeks for pigs)听bringing all farms into line with the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ)听storage听requirements.听This represents a reduction from the previous requirement of 26 weeks and听gives a single听minimum听storage requirement for all farms across Scotland.听听
With the requirement for 22 weeks slurry storage, some may need to reassess current arrangements and increase or replace slurry storage facilities. For others, it could be a case of making better use of the storage already available on听the听farm.听By reducing the amount of clean water on dirty yards getting into听the听slurry听collection听system听or diverting lightly contaminated water to a constructed farm wetland, you could听free-up more space for slurry storage.听听
Subject to eligibility conditions, funding is available under the current Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) for various rural SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) including a constructed farm wetland.听The听scheme听is听open until听22听June 2026.听Slurry听separation听may also be听a practical option to听consider听for some.听
From 1听January 2027, all farms must adopt precision slurry application techniques.听Acceptable methods include听dribble bars, band spreaders, trailing hoses, trailing shoes, or direct injection.听Use of splash plates will be prohibited.听听
There are听practical resources to help manage dirty water and slurry volumes.听A steading checklist and guidance on calculating slurry from housed livestock can be found on Additional GBR guidance, FAQs, and pollution reduction measures are available 听
Useful links听
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Rebecca Audsley, Principal Consultant,听Rebecca.Audsley@sac.co.uk
Posted by SAC Consulting on 11/03/2026
