Friesian manure discharge five times higher without derogation

Without a derogation, an extra 3,7 million tons of cattle manure could enter the manure market in Friesland. This is on top of the more than 1 million tons of manure removed in 2020. If manure and mineral production remain the same, the amount of manure removal will increase to 4,7 million tons from 2026.

The loss of the derogation has a major impact on manure use and manure removal, especially for Frisian livestock farmers. The application standard for nitrogen from animal manure will be reduced from 250 kg to 170 kg nitrogen for almost the entire area of ​​grassland and maize land in Friesland in 2026. Any further restrictions on the use of manure as a result of the 7th nitrate action program (fertilization-free zones and possible indication of 'contaminated areas' have not yet been taken into account.

In the table below, the increase in manure discharge is calculated for the years 2023 to 2026.

* Source: CBS Statline

Only with a decrease in manure and mineral production can the extra manure removal be reduced. My expectation is that over the next four years this decline in Friesland will certainly not decrease at the same magnitude and pace as the fertilizer placement capacity.

There is still sales space in neighboring provinces
The placement capacity for nitrogen from animal manure in Friesland has already been fully utilized (CBS, 2020). The sale of the extra quantity of cattle slurry is dependent on arable regions elsewhere. In 2020, in Groningen, Drenthe and Flevoland, there was in theory still manure disposal space for 14 million kilos of nitrogen. However, these provinces will also have to deal with the phasing out of the derogation in livestock farming, as well as livestock farming in the east of the Netherlands. Pressure on the fertilizer market and mutual competition between the various types of fertilizer for sales will increase in the coming years. This affects the pricing, but also, for example, the use of control and enforcement of all new fertilizer rules.

The sale of unprocessed cattle slurry has the major disadvantage for the livestock farmer that phosphate (1,5 kg per ton), other minerals and organic matter are also removed from his company. To prevent this, separating cattle slurry or after fermentation of digestate is an option. The liquid fraction containing nitrogen and potash can then be sold to arable farming. Thick fraction with mainly organic matter and phosphate can continue to be used for own fertilization. Any excess thick fraction is suitable for biogas production or for processing in an existing composting installation.

Securities required for the longer term
In the longer term, the manure and minerals situation requires an integrated approach at company level aimed at circular, low-emission operations. Exactly how this approach will be implemented differs per company. But important farm choices mainly require (long-term) certainty about the (area-specific) nitrogen targets and measures and the new manure policy. These certainties do not yet exist. Also, the admission and conditions of Renure fertilizers are still not settled. The proposed goal of land-based milk production has in fact become unattainable due to the abolition of the derogation. Due to all these uncertainties, the choices for the sale of extra manure are limited to the proven and reliable sales channels in practice.

Jaap Uenk

Jaap Uenk is the owner of consultancy Mestem and has more than 40 years of experience in various positions in the Dutch fertilizer sector.

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