National Soil Fertility Week - Getting the Balance Right
03 February 2012
National Soil Fertility Week, to highlight the
positive impact of soil fertility management on
farms, will take place next week, from 6-10
February. Organised by Teagasc and the Fertilizer
Association of Ireland, this soil fertility campaign
will highlight the role of soil testing and soil
fertility management on farms. “You don’t feed your
animals without knowing their conditions – so why do
it to your soils?” This will be the question asked
of farmers.
Trends are now emerging that soil fertility levels
are declining as a result of reduced fertilizer
usage in recent years. The proportion of soils being
analysed with low fertility levels has increased by
over 30% in the last four years, according to Stan
Lalor of Teagasc, Johnstown Castle. Soils with low
fertility have lower productivity and result in
higher fertilizer input costs. For example, research
work has shown that low soil phosphorus levels can
cost the farm an average of approximately 1.5 tonnes
of grass dry matter production per hectare per year.
At current feed prices, this is potentially worth up
to €400 per hectare. Managing soil fertility is the
key to ensuring that the production potential of
soil is optimised with economically sustainable
fertilizer inputs.
Mark Plunkett of Teagasc said that soil fertility
management on both grassland and tillage farms can
be improved by following five simple steps:
1) Have soil samples taken for the whole farm.
2) Apply lime as required to increase soil pH up to
the target pH for the crop.
3) Aim to have optimum soil P and K fertility levels
in all fields. At optimum fertility levels,
nutrients being removed in products need to be
replaced. High fertility soils are a resource and
should be exploited. Low fertility soils need to be
nurtured.
4) Start by using organic fertilizers as efficiently
as possible, then top up with fertilizer as
required.
5) Make sure the fertilizer compound is supplying
nutrients in the correct balance for the crop, the
soil, and to complement other fertilizers being
applied.
Implementing these simple steps will go a long way
to ensuring that the production potential of the
farm is being realised, and that fertilizer inputs
are being utilised as efficiently as possible.
During National Soil Fertility Week, there will be 3
events taking place around the country highlighting
these messages:
• Tuesday, 7 February (2 - 5 pm) – Horse and Jockey
Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Fertilizer
Association of Ireland Spring Scientific Meeting:
“Role of Fertilizer and Soil Fertility in Achieving
Food Harvest 2020 Targets”.
• Wednesday, 8 February (2 - 4.30 pm) – Field event.
Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway.
• Thursday, 9 February (2 - 4.30 pm) – Field event.
Teagasc, Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
