National Soil Fertility Week - 'Getting the Balance Right'

Venue: Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway

Date: Wednesday, 8 February

Venue: Teagasc, Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny

Date: Thursday 9 February

Events will run from 2pm - 4pm

Objectives

•    Planning fertilizer & lime decisions / choices based on the soils pH, P & K status
•    To make optimum use of organic manures / fertilizers in meeting crop nutrient requirements and maximizing crop returns
•    Optimum fertilizer applications through good quality fertilizers and well maintained & calibrated fertilizer spreaders.

Outline
1. Soil testing & liming
    a. Have soil test results for the whole farm
    b. Soil analysis & soil pH
    c. Maintain soil pH on optimum range
    d. Cost benefit

    (Local Advisor)

2. Target soil P & K Index
    a. Soil P & K national trends
    b. Soil P & K indexes
    c. Target soil index
    d. Effects on productivity – Grain / Grass yields

    (David Wall)

3. Optimum use of organic manures
    a. Nutrient values of organic manures
    b. Timings / method of application
    c. Economic value
    d. Research finding in grassland & tillage

(Stan Lalor)

4. Balance supply of nutrients
a. Importance of balanced nutrient supply

    (Mark Plunkett)

5. Fertilizer spreader application – Accurate application
    a. To show the importance of fertilizer spreader maintenance and calibration which is essential to get optimum fertilizer utilization
    b. Future & current fertilizer spreader technology e.g. new technology / accuracy –weigh cells, GPS etc

    (Tom Ryan)

6. Fertilizer Association of Ireland
    Fertilizer types / selection
   (FAI, Representative)

View ad (563, KB)