Preparation now for winter slurry storage should start now.

A wet spring has put pressure on slurry stores and the Environment Agency's 'Winter Ready' campaign has launched, aiming to support farmers facing slurry storage issues.

Farmers are being encouraged to start their preparations immanently and to contact the agency for advice if necessary.

Environment Agency deputy director for agriculture, Nicola Riley said: “We know the profound impact that wet weather can have on farmers and their slurry storage.

MORE NEWS | Tickets now on sale for the Scottish Smallholder Festival

MORE NEWS | Somerset farmer fined £50k for fake salmonella tests

"It is important that we help farmers to get ready ahead of time by supplying guidance and practical solutions.

“That’s why we’re urging farmers to start their preparations now, with the Environment Agency on hand to help farmers find the right solutions that work for them.”

It comes as a wet winter and spring has put pressure on slurry stores already, with many farmers reporting concerns around managing volumes.

The increased rainfall has meant that farmers were both accumulating more slurry and unable to spread it on their fields.

What can be done?

The Environment Agency has listed some steps and solutions to tackle slurry storage issues, including:

• Ensuring you have adequate storage to see you through winter without the need to spread. The EA recommends having six months of storage.

• Covering slurry tanks, lagoons and pits and using the summer months to fix draining and clear guttering to ensure separation of clean and dirty water, meaning less rainwater mixes with slurry to increase its volume.

• Refraining from taking sludge, digestate or other materials if you don’t have an immediate need for them.