Meeting to advise farmers how to make use of slurry nutrients

A MEETING planned for Torr Farm, Auchencairn, on Friday March 15 will focus on ways farmers can make the best use of the nutrients available in the manure and slurry their livestock produce.

The free event is organised jointly by consultants from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and Soil Association Scotland.

Torr Farm is one of the four Farming for a Better Climate Focus Farms in Scotland and organic farmers Ross and Lee Paton are old hands at explaining their experiences to visiting groups.

At the Muck event, Ross will be joined by SRUC expert Dr Bill Crooks in explaining how the PLANET nutrient management programme can be used to plan the proper use of resources over the season.

They will be backed up by composting expert Audrey Litterick of Earthcare Technical Ltd who will give tips on the proper care and management of what some regard as an animal waste product, but more now real- ise is a valuable home produced resource. At current fertiliser prices dairy slurry has a typical value of around £3.20 per cubic metre.

A representative from SEEPA will offer advice and a local contractor will demonstrate various items of slurry spreading kit.

For further information and to book a place telephone Sandra MacRae on 01387 261172 or email sandra.macraé@sac.co.uk