Slurry Spreading – A Code of Good Agricultural Practice for farmers

It’s that time of year when farmers begin harvesting their first cut of silage, and with the favourable weather, many will have finished by the early May bank holiday weekend. Once harvesting is complete, attention quickly turns to emptying slurry stores and spreading it on the land to support the second cut.

This period carries increased risk for local rivers, as heavy rainfall can rapidly wash slurry off fields and into watercourses, potentially causing serious pollution incidents.

Farmers must follow a range of regulations and good practice guidelines when spreading slurry. The main codes of practice for England and Wales can be found here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7cbb27ed915d6822362336/pb13558-cogap-131223.pdf

Here are the key points of the codes of practice turned onto a simple practical, checklist farmers can follow before and during slurry or manure spreading

Slurry & Manure Spreading Checklist (Pollution Prevention)

1. Timing – “Is this the right time?”
 ☐ Crops are actively growing or will use nutrients soon
☐ It is not winter / high-risk period
☐ Soil is not waterlogged, frozen, or snow-covered
☐ No heavy rain forecast within the next 48 hours
☐ Soil is not cracked or recently drained
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2. Field Suitability – “Is this the right place?”
☐ At least 10 m away from watercourses (ditches, streams, ponds)
☐ At least 50 m away from springs, wells, boreholes
☐ Field is not steeply sloping or prone to runoff
☐ No field restrictions (e.g. environmental schemes, NVZ rules)
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3. Weather Conditions – “Are conditions safe?”
☐ Soil is dry enough to absorb slurry/manure
☐ Weather is settled (no imminent heavy rain)
☐ Wind is light (reduces drift and odour issues)
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4. Application Method – “Am I spreading it properly?”
☐ Using low-emission method where possible (e.g. trailing hose/shoe, injection)
☐ Avoiding splash plates where better options exist
☐ Solid manure will be incorporated quickly (within ~12 hours if possible)
☐ Application is even and controlled (no ponding or runoff visible)
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 5. Nutrient Management – “Am I applying the right amount?”
☐ Nutrient plan in place (crop need matched)
☐ Soil nutrient levels known (recent soil test)
☐ Slurry/manure nutrient content estimated or tested
☐ Application rate does not exceed crop requirement
☐ Avoiding excess nitrogen and phosphorus
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6. Storage & Preparation – “Do I have flexibility?”
☐ Enough storage capacity (ideally ≥6 months)
☐ Not forced to spread due to full storage
☐ Manure/slurry stored or treated to improve handling
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7. Biosecurity & Safety – “Is it safe for livestock and people?”
☐ Adequate time allowed before grazing or harvesting
☐ Avoiding spreading on ready-to-graze fields
☐ Measures taken to reduce pathogen risk
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8. Final Pre-Spreading Check
☐ Weather forecast checked again
☐ Field inspected for risk areas (wet patches, drains, slopes)
☐ Equipment calibrated and functioning correctly
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 9. Stop Immediately If:
☐ Runoff or ponding occurs
☐ Rain starts unexpectedly
☐ Slurry/manure is entering a watercourse
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Quick Rule to Remember
Right amount • Right time • Right place • Right method