Fertiliser storage - where to organise on-farm storage?

Poorly secured manure, soggy bags of fertiliser or a leaking slurry tank can nowadays mean not only a loss of material, but also hefty fines during farm inspections. Regulations for the storage of natural and mineral fertilisers are becoming increasingly stringent, so many farmers are looking for a way to prepare their storage area quickly and legally. Find out how to store fertilisers safely and which solutions - from agricultural tents to container shelters and concrete boxes - work best for the modern farm.

How to prepare a fertiliser storage area according to current legislation?

Fertiliser storage must be carried out in a way that protects the soil and water from leachate. This applies in particular to manure, bird manure, liquid manure and slurry.

Current regulations under the Water Law, the Fertiliser and Fertiliser Act and the Programme of Measures to Reduce Nitrogen Drainage clearly state that manure should be stored on an impermeable slurry pad equipped with side walls to reduce leachate outflow. Such a surface must ensure that the manure can be stored for a minimum of 5 months.

In practice, many farmers have a problem not with the slab itself, but with protecting it from rain. Rain increases the amount of leachate, accelerates the leaching of ingredients and makes it difficult to maintain order around the farm. This is why agricultural tents or concrete box silo shelters are increasingly being installed over the slabs.

Storing manure in the field? Possible, but only under certain conditions!

Storing manure directly in the field is still allowed, but the regulations clearly define the conditions for this. It is not possible to simply dump the pile anywhere and leave it for the whole winter.

Manure can be temporarily stored on the ground for a maximum of six months, but only on flat land with a slope of less than 3%. In addition, the storage site should be away from watercourses, wells and drainage ditches. Importantly, once a site has been used, there must be a minimum three-year break before manure is stored again at the same point.

The regulations are even stricter for bird manure. This type of manure cannot be stored directly on the field. The problem arises particularly during heavy rainfall. If left unprotected, the droppings quickly become saturated with water and nutrients begin to seep into the soil and groundwater. This is when irregularities detected during inspections are most common.

The most important requirements for on-farm fertiliser storage

Type of fertiliser	How should it be stored?	Minimum storage period	Most important requirements
Manure	on an impermeable slurry bed	Minimum 5 months	impermeable bed, side walls, protection against leachate
Slurry and liquid manure	in sealed tanks	minimum 6 months	tank with cover, protection against precipitation
Bird manure	in secure storage	in accordance with the production of the holding	no storage directly in the field
Bagged mineral fertilisers	in a dry and well-ventilated store	according to the use-by date	No moisture, distance from walls, UV protection
Mineral fertilisers in bulk	under a sealed roof	depending on the type of fertiliser	hardened substrate, protection against water
Ammonium nitrate over 28% nitrogen	only in original packaging	according to manufacturer's instructions	No bulk storage, non-flammable storage

Covered manure boxes - the way to tidiness, less waste and more convenient work on the farm

This is why many farmers today choose concrete box roofs instead of makeshift solutions. Such structures make it possible to create a separate, tidy storage area for manure and other bulk materials.

This solution offers several practical advantages:

• easier maintenance of order,
• reduced fertiliser losses,
• quicker loading with a loader,
• the possibility of also storing fodder or aggregates,
• protection from precipitation all year round.

In addition, modular canopies can be extended in the future without having to rebuild the entire farm.

Where do I store mineral fertilisers so that they do not lose their properties and are safe for the farm?

The storage of mineral fertilisers on the farm must take place under conditions that protect the material from moisture, overheating and contact with water. This applies to both bulk fertilisers and bagged products.

The most important rules for storing mineral fertilisers clearly state that the store should be:

• dry,
• airy,
• made of non-flammable materials,
• protected from precipitation,
• maintained at a temperature of around 5-20°C.

Fertiliser bags should not touch the walls. A minimum gap of 1 metre is recommended to improve ventilation and reduce dampness. Special requirements apply to ammonium nitrate containing more than 28% nitrogen. Such fertiliser must not be stored in bulk. It must be left in the original manufacturer's packaging.

In practice, many farmers today use container shelters or lightweight tent halls for this purpose. This is a much quicker solution than building a traditional brick warehouse. The great advantage of such constructions is that storage space can be created virtually on the spot.

Fertiliser storage under control - how to prepare the farm for the new requirements and inspections?

Fertiliser storage inspections occur much more frequently today than just a few years ago. The Environmental Inspectorate and ARMA pay attention primarily to the tightness of storage places, the capacity of tanks and the protection of fertilisers against atmospheric conditions.

In the case of liquid fertilisers, the regulations require the use of airtight tanks allowing storage for a minimum of six months of fertiliser production. In addition, tanks should be covered with a roof or tarpaulin to reduce emissions and rainwater ingress.

An amendment to the regulations in August 2025 extended some of the compliance deadlines for livestock farms. Farms under 20 LU have until the end of 2027 to adapt their infrastructure, while farms between 21 and 210 LU have until the end of 2025, subject to prior notification. This means that many farm owners are now looking for quick and cost-effective solutions. The construction of full-scale brick buildings often means huge expenses and long lead times.

Well-planned fertiliser storage facilitates daily farm work

Fertiliser storage is not just a matter of regulations. A well-organised space makes a real difference to work convenience, safety and farm costs.

If fertilisers are stored haphazardly, problems quickly arise:

• soggy bags,
• difficult loading,
• mud around the storage area,
• loss of material,
• difficulties during inspections,
• the need to move fertiliser frequently.

A great advantage of the agricultural tents available from inamiot.pl/gb/ is the possibility of quick assembly and fitting the structure to the existing infrastructure of the farm. There is no need to erect an expensive brick hall straight away. In many cases, a pre-prepared concrete slab and suitably selected roofing is sufficient.

On medium-sized farms, structures of approximately 20 × 10 m are well suited, allowing manure piles to be stored comfortably even for the required few months.

Depending on your needs, you can use:

• agricultural tents for storing fertiliser and machinery,
• concrete coke canopies for storing manure and bulk materials,
• container shelters as a quick storage for bagged fertiliser,
• modular halls for seasonal storage of larger quantities of mineral fertilisers.

Depending on the needs of the farm, agricultural tents, concrete coke canopies, container shelters or modular halls can be used for storage of fertilisers, manure and bulk materials. As an experienced tent hall manufacturer, we offer tailor-made constructions for the available space and the specific characteristics of the farm, so that you can quickly create a functional storage facility without the costly construction of a traditional warehouse. An additional advantage is the possibility of easy expansion and faster implementation of the investment, as some of the tent halls do not require the classic building permit.

FAQ - the most common questions about fertiliser storage

Question	Answer
Can mineral fertilisers be stored outside?	Yes, but only under a tight cover that protects against rain and moisture. Tent halls or container shelters set up on a paved surface work best.
How long can manure be stored in the field?	Regulations allow manure to be temporarily stored in the field for a maximum of 6 months. However, the storage site must meet the distance to water and slope requirements.
Are agricultural tents suitable for storing fertiliser?	Yes, agricultural tents provide good protection against precipitation and UV radiation for natural and mineral fertilisers. In addition, they make it possible to quickly prepare a storage site without building a traditional warehouse.
What are the penalties for improper fertiliser storage?	In the case of natural fertilisers, the fines can be as high as PLN 4563. Inspections may also order the modernisation or securing of storage areas.
Does a storage tent require a building permit?	Some structures of up to 35 m² can be erected without a classic construction permit. However, it is advisable to check local regulations and the foundation of the hall beforehand.
Why should fertiliser be stored under a roof?	Moisture causes fertilisers to clump together and lose their properties. Covering also reduces the risk of leachate and makes it easier to keep the farm tidy.
What is the best substrate for storing fertiliser?	The best solution is a hardened and impermeable substrate made of concrete or prefabricated slabs. Such protection limits the seepage of leachate into the ground and makes it easier to clean the storage area.
Will container shelters work on a small farm?	Yes, container shelters are often chosen by smaller farms for their rapid installation and expandability. They make it possible to create a practical storage facility for fertiliser or machinery without large investment costs.