Control experiences:
What to consider when adding farmyard manure?
Deputy Head of agriculture division / Co Head of Certification Department bio.inspecta AG
The use of farmyard manure and recycled fertilisers is subject to clear regulations set out in the guidelines. These are often not adhered to, partly because the relevant restrictions are not sufficiently well known. Guest author Andreas Müller from bio.inspecta provides a detailed explanation here.
Many farm managers aim to balance their farm's nutrient requirements. However, the amount of fertiliser produced on the farm is often not sufficient to meet these needs. A long-term undersupply of the soil is feared to result in falling yields and an associated loss of income. In arable regions, an increasing number of farms are focusing on the production of plant-based foods.
Deficiencies cause concern
As a result of this change in farming methods, which involves smaller or no livestock, many farm managers are increasingly concerned that the amount of nutrients available on their farms is insufficient. Even pure grassland farms, which use nutrient balance as a yardstick to assess how well their land is supplied with nutrients, often decide to add additional inputs.
Based on our inspection experiences, preliminary clarifications should be made regarding the supply of farmyard and recycled fertilisers. Unfortunately, the guidelines related to nutrient supply lead to numerous recurring shortcomings each year, causing displeasure for all parties involved.
Conventional only if no organic fertilizer
Farmyard manure that does not originate from an organic farm may only be applied if no organic fertilisers are available on Biomondo (see link below). The main criterion is the distance limit between the supplier and the recipient. A distinction is made between "liquid farmyard manure" and "solid farmyard manure".
If you want to apply laying hen manure but only find cattle manure available on Biomondo, you must refrain from using non-organic chicken manure. Any purchase of non-organic farmyard manure requires proof of non-availability, which must be presented during the organic inspection. This statement can be generated directly on the Biomondo platform.
Maximum 50 percent of the nutrient requirement
The non-organic farm supplying the product must operate under a recognised label. The definitive list of these labels can be found in the Bio Suisse Standards. The QM Swiss Meat label from the non-organic farm already legitimises the purchase of farmyard manure.
Nutrients from poultry farms are an exception, as they are not included in this programme. Both types of certification are often not found during organic inspections. A maximum of 50 percent of the nutrient requirement may be supplied in the form of non-organic farmyard manure. Once this limit is reached, no additional non-organic fermentation slurry or conventional manure from a biogas plant may be obtained if these are also classified as "farmyard manure".
Pesticide residues in extreme cases
We regularly receive reports from inspections that companion plant seeds and, in extreme cases, pesticide residues have entered organic farms through the import of farmyard manure.
The distance limits (as the crow flies) for the legitimate supply or delivery of farmyard manure are as follows:
- Liquid manure, fermentation slurry: 20 km
- Poultry manure: 80 km
- • Manure from other animal species / solid manure: 40 km
Where it is not possible to obtain a sufficient supply of fertilisers from on-farm or organic sources, recycled fertilisers can be used. Almost without exception, these are not certified organic. The facility must be listed on the farm input list.
Proof of non-availability from Biomondo must also be provided when purchasing recycled fertilisers that contain a proportion of farmyard manure of non-organic origin. Many farm managers are unware of this requirement. A maximum of 50 percent of the total nutrient requirement may be supplemented with fermentation material from a biogas plant.
More leeway for nutrients from your own farm
Nutrients from your own farm may be applied and withdrawn in excess of the 50 percent limit. However, the amount withdrawn may not exceed the amount of nutrients applied. If a farm does not return the full amount of fertiliser introduced from the fermentation plant, there must be a purchase agreement with an organic farm for the missing quantity. This provision is intended to prevent nutrient losses in organic farming.
Solid digestate is not equivalent to compost. The application rates of compost, whose production site must also be listed on the farm input list, are not subject to the 50 percent limit. However, according to the Chemical Risk Reduction Ordinance (ChemRRV), the amount of fertiliser applied must not exceed 25 tonnes DM / ha over three years. This fact is often overlooked.
Distance limits for recycled fertiliser
The distance limits for the supply of recycled fertilisers are as follows:
Prior clarification prevents costly errors
Based on our experience, we strongly advise farms dealing with nutrient supply to have a planned nutrient balance calculated in advance. We have been offering this service for several year. It is important to obtain information on the fertiliser content from the supplier ahead of time.
Before confirming the withdrawal in the Hoduflu account, it is essential to verify whether the stated nutrient values have been correctly applied in accordance with the agreements. Unfortunately, some companies have already experienced true miracles in this area, which have led to serious difficulties. To avoid becoming entangled in the web of specifications, it is definitely worth calling our hotline.
Our experienced experts are able to take all relevant aspects into account. Deficiencies in nutrient supply and balance can result in extremely costly consequences and should be avoided at all costs.
This article appeared on 13 May 2025 in German on bioaktuell.ch