Slurrycal

09/09/2022

Welcome change to slurry spreading rules!

The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI), the national association representing Agricultural/Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland, has welcomed the new Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine’s (DAFM’s), new slurry spreading extension guidelines which are to be based on the Moorepark St. Gilles Grass Growth Model. These guidelines have the potential to allow for slurry spreading on farms at dates later than the new earlier closing deadlines of October 8, 2022, and October 1, 2023.

While the Association is aware that the bringing forward of the slurry spreading closed period by one week to October 8 this year, will further reduce the working year for Farm Contractors who provide slurry spreading services, the adoption of scientific criteria over calendar dates in assessing conditions for slurry spreading exemptions during the closed period, is welcome.

Over the past three years, FCI has campaigned for changes to the existing calendar-based closed system and has called for the adoption of a more scientific approach based on grass growth and weather factors, which have been proven to enhance the ability of nutrient uptake. “The adoption of the Moorepark St. Gilles Grass Growth Model to assess the ability of the grass to use the slurry nutrients based on actual growing conditions, coupled with weather forecasts, is a long awaited and welcome change in approach by DAFM,” said John Hughes, National Chair, Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland.

For slurry spreading to be allowed within the closed period using the Moorepark St. Gilles Grass Growth model which will give a measure of sufficient grass growth for nutrient uptake and when no heavy rain is forecast. The Moorepark St. Gilles Grass Growth model system measures existing grass growth to include a nitrogen (N) component and a soil water component. The model is effective in grazing and cutting scenarios. Inputs include weather data, grazing management decisions and N fertiliser application. Outputs include daily grass growth, soil mineral N content, grass N uptake, grass N content and NO3− leaching.

The Association has also called for great emphasis for funding for slurry storage to allow the movement of more animal slurry for storage on tillage farms. “This would enhance use of slurry as a replacement fertilizer with additional organic matter benefits,” said John Hughes.

21/12/2021

Congratulations to Tom Griffin on a well deserved award. Tom has used Slurrycal consistently each winter since 2015 to help improve soil health on his farm and maximise the nutrient and biological value of an important resource. Slurrycal is purchased through his local co-op - Barryroe Co-op Agri

DAIRY FARMER OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO THOMAS GRIFFIN.

At The Southern Star / Celtic Ross Hotel awards, judge Tom Curran, (Regional Manager, Teagasc West Cork) said; what stood out among the winners was their enthusiasm. ‘They also showed a great technical knowledge of the business,’ and choosing a winner came down to “KPIs, especially kilos of milk solids output per cow and per hectare, in a sustainable way."

Congratulations to Thomas, Laura, and the Griffin family on winning this award. Thomas has a dairy herd of 200 cows on a block of 78 hectares in Ballinroher, Timoleague. Over the last 5 years, he has focused a lot on soil health and the biology of the soil.

Thomas’s objective is to utilize slurry in a manner that reduces his reliance on synthetic fertilizers, improve the overall soil health and promote the biological activity in the soil, through aerating the soil and using soil microbial additive/stimulants, which is added to the organic fertilizer.

Thomas does not use the term slurry, which indicates that it’s a waste product of farming, with little value, he prefers the term “Organic Fertilizer”. He uses it in a manner that is planned and organised; this is now paying dividends in the soil health, which in turn, is reflected in the herd. Improvements in soil health were
achieved by comprehensive soil testing and analysis of his organic fertiliser.

Thomas also has a keen interest in ecology, and focuses on the biodiversity of the farm. He has incorporated clover on the farm and is currently trialling multi-species swards, which are critical in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and allow a reduced reliance on fertilizers.

20/12/2021

Wishing all our customers a very happy Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous 2022!

29/01/2021

A couple of photos sent in from a happy customer who's been using Slurrycal Plus for over 3 years.

“This is our tank before agitation. Great job!”

24/12/2020

20/10/2020

One of our long standing customers, Redhouse Holsteins, stocking up for the winter. Many thanks for the continued business guys!

Slurrycal for the winter

14/10/2020

❗ New Customers❗

Win a comprehensive slurry analysis from an accredited laboratory worth €70/£63 and find out the true value of the slurry you apply.

(Sample includes analysis for Includes Total Solids, Total Nitrogen, Ammonium Nitrogen, Nitrate Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, Sulphur, Calcium, Nitrate, Sodium and pH.)

To enter the draw, simply enter your name and which stockist/agent you buy your Slurrycal product from.

*Draw takes place on Friday December 11th.

10/10/2020

John Carroll runs a spring calving herd in Causeway, Co. Kerry and has been using Slurrycal as part of his cubicle and slurry management routine for three years. John places a strong focus on growing top quality grass but also ensures everything possible is done to minimise soil compaction.

A local contractor spreads slurry with an umbilical system early in the year with the remainder spread with John’s own trailing shoe throughout the remainder of the grazing season.
Slurry is mostly stored in a 200,000 gallon over-ground store and John, along with his contractor, have seen first-hand the benefits of using Slurrycal consistently every year.

John says “there has been a steady improvement in the ease of agitation of the slurry over the past three seasons. My slurry contractor remarked this year that I must have spent a lot of time agitating the slurry over the winter. Truthfully, I spent 30 minutes a few days before he arrived to start spreading in February. The slurry is so much easier mixed now and that 30 minutes agitation at the start of the year keeps the tank agitated for the rest of the year. This is remarkable in any farmyard but even more impressive considering I feed all bale silage. It makes the job of spreading slurry much easier, as now I have what I consider my own top-quality fertiliser, ready to use, at any time I need a paddock topped up through the trailing shoe.

From a safety point of view, Slurrycal is a fantastic product to handle when liming the cubicles particularly on the days you have outside help doing that job. It is a lot less dusty than other cubicle products and much more pleasant to use – it leaves a healthy fresh smell in the shed. We use 2 bags each winter and that treats the slurry of 145 cows and 30 weanlings. We find it is well worth the extra cost”.

Slurrycal is supplied to John by Barrons Agri Trading in Causeway - contact Eoin McCarthy on 087-3891650; Ronan Barron on 087-7930899 or email [email protected]

09/10/2020

John Carroll runs a spring calving herd in Causeway, Co. Kerry and has been using Slurrycal as part of his cubicle and slurry management routine for three years. John places a strong focus on growing top quality grass but also ensures everything possible is done to minimise soil compaction.

A local contractor spreads slurry with an umbilical system early in the year with the remainder spread with John’s own trailing shoe throughout the remainder of the grazing season.
Slurry is mostly stored in an 200,000 gallon over-ground store and John, along with his contractor, have seen first-hand the benefits of using Slurrycal consistently every year.

John says “there has been a steady improvement in the ease of agitation of the slurry over the past three seasons. My slurry contractor remarked this year that I must have spent a lot of time agitating the slurry over the winter. Truthfully, I spent 30 minutes a few days before he arrived to start spreading in February. The slurry is so much easier mixed now and that 30 minutes agitation at the start of the year keeps the tank agitated for the rest of the year. This is remarkable in any farmyard but even more impressive considering I feed all bale silage. It makes the job of spreading slurry much easier, as now I have what I consider my own top quality fertiliser, ready to use at any time I need a paddock topped up through the trailing shoe.

From a safety point of view, Slurrycal is a fantastic product to handle when liming the cubicles particularly on the days you have outside help doing that job. It is a lot less dusty than other cubicle products and much more pleasant to use – it leaves a healthy fresh smell in the shed. We use 2 bags each winter and that treats the slurry of 145 cows and 30 weanlings. We find it is well worth the extra cost”.

Dual purpose high pH cubicle lime with unique slurry enhancing properties - lime your cubicles and enhance the value of the slurry automatically.

05/10/2020

❗️ Thank You ❗️

To thank our customers for their loyalty over the past 5 years, we are running a draw exclusively for existing customers to win a Wurth 22 piece socket wrench set worth €130/£100!

To enter the draw, simply enter your name, the year you started using Slurrycal and which stockist/agent you buy your Slurrycal product from.

*Draw takes place on Friday December 11th.

05/10/2020

❗️ Refer a Friend ❗️

We are asking our loyal customers to refer a friend who would benefit from using products from the Slurrycal range.
By doing so, you will be entered into a draw to win a 91 piece Wurth tool case which includes all commonly used tools in one handy case and is worth £270/€300.

Simply tag the person you're referring or enter their name below (if they're not on Facebook) and when they become a customer you will be entered into the draw!

*Draw will take place on Friday 11th December.