Fertiliser, manure and slurry spreaders
Published 11 June 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/farm-practices-survey-february-2026/fertiliser-manure-and-slurry-spreaders
The data below focus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 39% | 17% | 22% | 22% | 100% |
| 2023 | 43% | 16% | 22% | 19% | 100% |
| 2024 | 36% | 19% | 24% | 22% | 100% |
| 2025 | 36% | 17% | 26% | 21% | 100% |
| 2026 | 37% | 16% | 27% | 21% | 100% |
Notes:
- The sum of the components may not equal 100% due to rounding.
In 2026, 79% of holdings spread manure or slurry on their grass and arable land (Figure 1). Overall, proportions for the various spreading methods have remained similar between 2022 and 2026. Spreading is done solely by the farmer on 37% of holdings, solely by the contractor on 27%, and by both the farmer and contractor on 16%.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 58% | 10% | 16% | 15% | 100% |
| 2023 | 57% | 11% | 15% | 16% | 100% |
| 2024 | 55% | 12% | 18% | 16% | 100% |
| 2025 | 57% | 12% | 14% | 17% | 100% |
| 2026 | 55% | 9% | 19% | 18% | 100% |
Notes:
- The sum of the components may not equal 100% due to rounding.
In 2026, 82% of holdings spread fertilisers on their grass and arable land (Figure 2). There was little change over the last five years with the largest proportion of holdings, 55%, indicating that 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 43% | 19% | 1% | 25% | 7% | 4% | 100% |
| 2023 | 40% | 17% | 2% | 24% | 9% | 8% | 100% |
| 2024 | 35% | 18% | 2% | 27% | 10% | 9% | 100% |
| 2025 | 41% | 15% | 2% | 27% | 9% | 7% | 100% |
| 2026 | 31% | 21% | 4% | 28% | 10% | 6% | 100% |
Notes:
- The sum of the components may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Calibrating fertiliser, manure and slurry spreaders can help to improve input efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. In 2026, 69% of farmers were calibrating their spreaders at least some of the time, the highest proportion recorded since the survey began. Over the last five years, the frequency of farmers calibrating their spreaders at least some of the time has varied, with fluctuations up and down year to year. For those farmers who are calibrating their spreaders in 2026, the most common frequencies are every year (28%) and whenever there is significant change in manure or slurry characteristics (21%). This has remained broadly unchanged in recent years (Figure 3).