The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has today (June 30) launched a new £250,000 small business research initiative (SBRI) competition focused on sustainable utilisation of layer manure (SULM).
The scheme aims to support the development of innovative, scalable solutions to manage nutrients from poultry layer manure, particularly phosphorus, and reduce environmental impacts across Northern Ireland, whilst also unlocking new economic opportunities.
The competition complements the ongoing Sustainable Utilisation of Livestock Slurry (SULS) programme, which DAREA claims is “already delivering positive results”.
According to DAREA, the SULM initiative extends the work of SULS to the poultry sector, which reinforces the department’s commitment to nutrient management, environmental protection, and green innovation.
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said: “This SBRI competition represents a vital step in addressing the nutrient challenges posed by poultry layer manure.
“By supporting innovation in this space, we aim to reduce phosphorus loading on our land and support a sustainable layer sector across Northern Ireland,” he added.
The competition runs until August 15, 2025. The total budget is up to £250,000, with up to five of the highest-scoring proposals to be selected.
According to DAERA, each project is eligible for up to £50,000, to demonstrate the technical feasibility of their concept.
An online information event will be held from 10:00a.m to 11:30a.m on July 10, 2025, offering potential applicants the opportunity to learn more about the competition scope, eligibility, and application process.
Applicants are expected to propose a practical solution which removes excess phosphorus in layer manure from the NI agricultural nutrient cycle.
The proposal will also have to be technically and economically sustainable with the potential to be scalable to meet demands of Northern Ireland’s layer sector.
DAERA
Separately, DAERA also confirmed today (June 30) that new Suckler Cow Scheme animal information screens, designed to assist farm businesses in better managing their breeding practices, have been added to the beef sustainability package portal.
DAERA introduced the scheme in April 2025 as part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme to encourage farm businesses to adopt improved breeding management practices in suckler cow production to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
From today, farm businesses and authorised persons who have opted into the scheme, can check the portal to view their calving event information and check if they will be eligible for payment.
Minister Muir said: “The Suckler Cow Scheme plays an important role in supporting our farm businesses contribute to the achievement of our environmental and climate change goals as well as helping improve overall farm efficiency.
“The addition of the animal information screens will provide farm businesses with vital information to improve their breeding management practices. I encourage all farm businesses who opt into the scheme to make full use of the information on the portal.”
Farm businesses must opt in by March 31, 2026 to receive payments for eligible births in the 2025 scheme year.
Once opted in, businesses will continue to receive Suckler Cow Scheme payments each subsequent year for the duration of the scheme, provided they meet the eligibility requirements annually.
