Soil Test Results

Report and Results 2021

Teagasc Soil Fertility Report 2021(pdf)

National Soil Fertility Trends

In 2021 Teagasc analysed a total 33,876 soil samples comprising of dairy, drystock and tillage enterprises. There was 30,082 grassland soil samples. For dairy farms, 21,049 soil samples, on drystock farms 8,458 soil samples, overall soil samples take increased by 11% and 8% compared to 2020 for dairy and drystock. On tillage farms 3,794 soil samples were taken, which represents ~ 17% increase in soil samples compared to 2020. This was primarily driven by the significant increase in the cost of N, P and K fertilisers projected mid 2021. The following is a summary of the main changes for soil pH, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in 2021.

National Highlights

All farm enterprises took more soil samples in 2021
Overall decline in soils with optimum soil fertility to 16% (-3%)
Soil pH declined to 54% of soils with a >pH 6.2 (-8%)
Soil P levels at Index 1 & 2 increased (54%) while soils at Index 3 & 4 decreased (46%)
Soil K levels remain simialr with a slight decrease in soils at K index 4

Enterprise Highlights

Dairy

16% of soils have optimum pH, P & K (3 % decrease)
53% of soils with a soil pH >6.2 (10% decrease)
55%of soils at P index 1 & 2 (4% Increase)
48% of soils at K Index 1 & 2 (no change)

Drystock

13% of soils have optimum pH, P & K (2 % decrease)
47% of soils with a soil pH >6.2 (10% decrease)
61%of soils at P index 1 & 2 (11% Increase)
50% of soils at K Index 1 & 2 (3% Increase)

Tillage

18% of soils have optimum pH, P & K (6 % Decrease)
61% of soils with a soil pH >6.5 (13% Decrease)
57%of soils at P index 1 & 2 (7% Increase)
32% of soils at K Index 1 & 2 (2% Decrease)

In 2021 optimum soil fertility levels have decreased the range of 3 to 6 % for dairy, beef and tillage farms compared to 2020. On these farms soil at P Index 1 and 2 have increased by 4 to 11%, while soil K levels have increased slightly on drystock farms, no change on dairy farms to slight improvements (+2%) on tillage farms. Soils with optimum soil pH levels have decreased by 10 to 13% across all three-farm enterprises. National lime applications increased by 50% in 2021 compared to the average application of ground limestone in the previous 10 years at 1.33 million tonnes. This will help halt the decline in soil pH levels as reported in 2021.

Soil Fertility Data 2021

Teagasc Soil Fertility Report 2021(pdf)

All Soil Results & Enterprises 2021 (pdf)

County Specific Data:

Carlow 2021, Cavan 2021, Clare 2021, Cork 2021, Donegal 2021, Dublin 2021, Galway 2021, Kerry 2021, Kildare 2021, Kilkenny 2021, Laois 2021, Letrim 2021, Limerick 2021, Longford 2021, Louth 2021, Mayo 2021, Meath 2021, Monaghan 2021, Offaly 2021, Roscommon 2021, Sligo 2021, Tipperary 2021, Waterford 2021, Westmeath 2021, Wexford 2021, Wicklow 2021