Fertiliser, manure and slurry spreaders
Updated 13 June 2024
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/farm-practices-survey-february-2023-greenhouse-gas-mitigation/fertiliser-manure-and-slurry-spreaders
The data below focuses specifically on farmers who spread manure, slurry and fertiliser. More details on nitrogen fertiliser spreading practices are available in the British Survey of Fertiliser Practice.
Figure 1 Proportion of holdings spreading manure and slurry on grassland and arable land
| Year | Spread by farmer only | Spread by farmer and also contractor | Spread by contractor only | None spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 41% | 14% | 23% | 22% | 100% |
| 2020 | 38% | 17% | 20% | 24% | 100% |
| 2021 | 39% | 15% | 25% | 21% | 100% |
| 2022 | 39% | 17% | 22% | 22% | 100% |
| 2023 | 43% | 16% | 22% | 19% | 100% |
In 2023, 81% of holdings spread manure or slurry on their grass and arable land (see figure 1). For years 2019 to 2023 there was little variation in spreading methods, and in 2023 the largest proportion of holdings (43%) said the manure/slurry was spread solely by the farmer, 22% solely by contractor and 16% by farmer and also contractor.
Figure 2 Proportion of holdings spreading fertiliser on grassland and arable land
| Year | Spread by farmer only | Spread by farmer and also contractor | Spread by contractor only | None spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 59% | 11% | 15% | 14% | 100% |
| 2020 | 57% | 11% | 16% | 16% | 100% |
| 2021 | 57% | 12% | 15% | 16% | 100% |
| 2022 | 58% | 10% | 16% | 15% | 100% |
| 2023 | 57% | 11% | 15% | 16% | 100% |
In 2023, 84% of holdings spread fertilisers on their grass and arable land (see figure 2). There was little change over the five-year period with the largest proportion of holdings, just under 60%, indicating that the fertiliser was spread solely by the farmer.
Figure 3 Frequency with which farmers calibrate their manure or slurry spreader(s)
| Year | Never | Whenever there is significant change in manure or slurry characteristics | Whenever manure or slurry is tested | Every year | Less often than every year | Other frequency | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 47% | 22% | 2% | 19% | 7% | 4% | 100% |
| 2020 | 49% | 19% | 2% | 18% | 8% | 3% | 100% |
| 2021 | 43% | 15% | 3% | 24% | 6% | 9% | 100% |
| 2022 | 43% | 19% | 1% | 25% | 7% | 4% | 100% |
| 2023 | 40% | 17% | 2% | 24% | 9% | 8% | 100% |
Calibrating fertiliser, manure and slurry spreaders can help to improve input efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. In each of the last five years, over half of farmers were calibrating their spreaders at least some of the time although the frequency of doing so varies. For those farmers who are calibrating their spreaders in 2023, the most common frequencies are once a year (24%) and whenever there is a significant change in the characteristics of the manure or slurry (17%). This has remained broadly unchanged in recent years (Figure 3).