New farming technology could cut nitrates by 20%

The trials were conducted in two fields at Le Câtillon in Grouville by The Jersey Royal Company as part of a farmers-led initiative to improve water quality by reducing the risk of agricultural pollution.

At present nitrogen and potash, also know as nitrates, are applied across an entire field, from hedge to hedge, and ploughed in before potatoes are planted.

This runs the risk of chemicals leaching into the water table and streams that feed Jersey Water’s reservoirs. Last year high levels of agricultural chemicals and nitrates were found in water sources around the Island forcing the closure of the worst-hit reservoir, Val de la Mare, for five months.

Since then, farmers, Jersey Water and the Environment Department have formed the Cleaner Water Working Group to come up with solutions.

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