The relationship between farmer opinion of suitable conditions for nutrient application, soil moisture deficit and weather

Abstract

AbstractSlurry spreading is a beneficial nutrient recycling activity on livestock farms, but nutrients may be lost to the environment. On‐farm decision support based on the Hybrid Soil Moisture Deficit Model and weather data has the potential to forecast when conditions are best for slurry application. Such an approach will only be accepted by farmer–stakeholders if it is consistent with scientific evidence. The objective of this article was to establish whether farmers have a broadly similar opinion of soil and weather conditions suitable for slurry spreading as those derived from the water balance approach. A mobile phone short message service (SMS) survey permitted rapid and efficient collection of information from farmers in relation to trafficability, weather forecast, nutrient efficiency and storage limitations. Farmers’ response followed seasonal trends, with spring and summer the being the best seasons for nutrient utilization while their view of inappropriate conditions for spreading was consistent with restrictions imposed by current legislation in Ireland. However, the winter ban on nutrient spreading had the adverse effect of encouraging farmers to spread slurry just before and immediately after the closed period when application is prohibited. In general, farmers have similar reasons for their management decisions but they may need further assistance with the forecast of soil moisture and weather conditions at critical times.