Efficiency lowers phosphate production

Phosphate production from animal manure was lower in 2016 than in the previous year. This despite the fact that manure production increased. The amount of nitrogen also increased. This is apparent from the CBS report 'Animal manure and minerals 14', published on 2016 August.

Total phosphate production decreased in 2016 from 180,1 million kilos to 175,2 million kilos. In contrast, total manure production in 2016 rose from 76 billion to 78 billion kilos.

Phosphorus use decreased
The decrease in phosphate production is mainly due to the decrease in the use of phosphorus in dairy farming. The roughage consumed in 2015 still contained quite a bit of phosphorus. This was mainly due to the high phosphorus content in silage and a high phosphorus content in pasture grass in 2014. However, the phosphorus content of roughage fell back to normal values ​​in 2016. For example, the phosphorus content in compound feed for dairy cattle fell from 4,5 grams of phosphorus per kilo to 4,3 grams of phosphorus per kilo. This decrease is mainly due to the feed track.

Nitrogen excretion did increase in 2016. An increase of 1,4% was visible. This increases the total from 497,5 million kilos to 504,3 million kilos. The fact that the nitrogen excretion has increased is related to the growth of the dairy herd and the larger share of concentrates in the dairy cattle ration. 

Cattle: Phosphate production is falling
Phosphate production in dairy farming fell by 3,2 million kilos to 89,5 million kilos. Although the number of dairy cows increased (a plus of 120.000 animals), the lower levels of roughage and compound feed resulted in a decrease in phosphate production in dairy farming. This is mainly due to increased efficiency.

The phosphate excretion of beef cattle hardly changed in 2016.

Pigs: under the phosphate ceiling
Pig farming showed a slight exceedance of the phosphate ceiling in 2015, 0,4 million kilos. This is mainly due to the shrinking pig population. For example, the number of sows was 4% lower than the 2015 average and the total number of finishing pigs was 1,3% lower. As a result, phosphate production in 2016 fell by 0,9 million kilos to 39,2 million kilos. This brings the sector back below the phosphate ceiling.

Use of phosphor more efficiently
The utilization of phosphorus is highest in the production of broilers and fattening pigs. This is mainly because these animals retain the nutrients and therefore require little maintenance feed. In dairy cows, the higher phosphorus utilization explained by increased milk production. The number of piglets raised per sow explains the increase in sows. 

Text continues below the chartFixation of phosphorus in relation to intake in feed. Source: CBS.

Regional differences in manure production
Phosphate production in 2015 and 2016 averaged 98 kilos per hectare. There are, however, significant regional differences. Phosphate production appears to be highest in Brabant and Gelderland, namely more than 120 kilograms per hectare. Production is lowest in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, namely 35 kilos per hectare.Phosphate production is highest in Brabant and Gelderland. Source: CBS.

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