Maximise nutrients with Low Emission Slurry Spreading

Slurry is a highly valuable source of nutrients to support sustainable farming. To maximise the benefits, Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) helps reduce ammonia emissions and improves nutrient efficiency on farm.  

Find out how LESS can make a real difference to your nutrient management and environmental impact. 

What is LESS?

Slurry spreading methods that minimise nutrient losses and reduce emissions. Unlike traditional splash plates, LESS systems apply slurry closer to the soil, improving uptake and reducing the nutrients lost to the atmosphere.  

Since January 2025, LESS has been mandatory for farms in the Republic of Ireland stocked at 100kg nitrogen per hectare or more, under the Nitrates Action Programme. In Northern Ireland, its use is being actively encouraged to meet environmental goals and on-farm performance. 

What are the benefits?

• Increases the value of the slurry applied. 

• Reduces N losses, delivering more nitrogen for grass growth. 

• Retains 3 extra units of nitrogen per 1,000 gallons of slurry compared to a splash plate. 

• Minimises grass contamination, allowing quicker return to grazing. 

• Cuts ammonia emissions by 60%, helping meet air quality targets. 

Key LESS methods

• Dribble bar: Applies slurry in parallel lines close to the ground, reducing surface exposure and ammonia loss. Ammonia emissions can be reduced by up to 30% compared to the splash plate. 

• Trailing shoe: Uses “shoes” to part the grass and place the slurry on the surface of the soil, reducing contamination of the grass. Suitable for higher grass covers. Ammonia emissions can be reduced by up to 60% compared to the splash plate.  

• Injection: Cuts narrow slots in the soil using discs, and the slurry is “injected” or placed in these slots directly into the topsoil. 

Impact of slurry spreading method  

Source: College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), 2020 

Know your slurry

Before applying slurry, it’s important to know its nutrient content. Levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) can vary depending on animals’ diet and slurry dry matter content. 

• Use a slurry hydrometer or send a sample to a lab to determine nutrient value per 1,000 gallons. 

• Typical values for cattle slurry via LESS in the spring: 8 units N, 5 units P, 25 units K per 1,000 gallons. The value will vary depending on the diet of the animal and the DM% of the slurry. 

• Apply slurry to fields with a low P and K content will give the best return.  

Tips for effective LESS application

• Spread on dry, calm days to reduce nitrogen loss.  

• Avoid applying slurry when heavy rain is expected within the next 48 hours.  

• Ensure soil temperatures are above 6^oC as grass growth is necessary for nutrient uptake. 

• Maintain correct buffer zones alongside watercourses when spreading slurry. The buffer zone increases from 5 to 10 m for the first 2 weeks of the spreading season.  

Support for farmers

Schemes like ACRES and TAMS 3 offer support for LESS equipment and practices. 
To check current eligibility, deadlines, and grant details, visit the official scheme pages: 

• Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) 

• Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3)  

Plan ahead for next year

Make the most of your slurry by understanding your soil and nutrients. Explore our soil fertility guide.