Manure season starts wet

Several manure traders indicate that they still have enough storage for a few weeks, but that it is filling up. The slurry cellars of a number of (dairy) farmers are also full. They will want to start as soon as the first plots are passable. Various parties expect that at the end of this week or early next week the first plots of pasture and grass seed will have sagged enough to become trafficable.

Trailing snakes on wheat plots does not seem to be an option this week or in the coming weeks. We have to wait and see how the wheat emerges from under the snow. It is still wet and arable farmers want to prevent damage from spreading. The crop has lost growth due to the recent cold period and the need to start early is absent. The spreading will probably only start here in the course of March.

New rules for corn
This year, plots on sandy and loess soil where corn is grown must be sown in advance reported be submitted to the RVO. You can register from January 20 to February 15. If the plot has not been registered, no corn may be grown this year. After February 15, it is only possible to reduce or withdraw the area of ​​a plot. Registering a new plot is no longer possible after this date. From March 15, slurry may be spread on arable land where corn is grown. Farmers and extension workers are well informed of the changed legislation, so no problems are expected. As far as can now be estimated, the vast majority of companies have registered the maize plots.

As in previous years, liquid manure may not be spread on ground that is (partly) frozen, where there is snow or where the top layer is saturated with water. In 2021, liquid manure may still be spread with the trailing shoe technique on clay and peat soil. This must be done before spreading with a trailing foot injector for the first time reported be submitted to the RVO and the manure must be diluted with water.