Soil Results

Teagasc Soil Fertility Report 2020

Soil Test Results 2019

In 2019 Teagasc analysed a total 30,466 soil samples comprising of dairy, drystock and tillage enterprises. A total of 27,213 soil samples with 18,959 from dairy farms, 7,863 soil samples from drystock farms and 3,253 soils samples from tillage farms. Soil test results were back with drystock farms taking a significant drop compared to 2018. The following is a summary of the main changes for soil pH, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in 2019.

Dairy

59% of soils with a soil pH >6.2 (3% increase)
48%of soils at P index 1 & 2 (7% Decrease)
41% of soils at K Index 1 & 2 (7% Decrease)

Drystock

56% of soils with a soil pH >6.2 (13% increase)
55%of soils at P index 1 & 2 (8% Decrease)
43% of soils at K Index 1 & 2 (9% Decrease)

Tillage

72% of soils with a soil pH >6.5 (6% increase)
51%of soils at P index 1 & 2 (3% Decrease)
37% of soils at K Index 1 & 2 (6% Decrease)

Soil pH levels continued to improve in 2019 (see figure 1). The % of soils greater than pH 6.2 has increased from 54 to 62% and soils <pH 5.9 has also continued to decline from 29% to 21%. This is a reflection in the increased usage of ground limestone over the last 3 to 5 years.

Figure 1. Proportion of soils analysed which fall into each soil pH range across all farm types. All soil samples analyzed by Teagasc between 2007 to 2019.

Soil P levels have shown continued improvements on both dairy, drystock and tillage farms farms with a 9% decline in soil testing at soil P index 1 & 2. Soil K levels show continue to improve especially at soil K index 4 and further decline in soils testing at soil K index 1& 2. This maybe a reflection of the better use of soil test results and implementing fertiliser programmes as per nutrient management plans.

The slow burn of improving soil fertility levels on dairy, drystock and tillage farms continues in 2019. Soil fertility on dairy farms showed that approximately 21% of soil samples had the optimum mix of pH, P and K for grass production with a 3% increase compared to 2018. On drystock farms 18% of samples in 2019 had optimum soil pH, P & K which is a large increase (7%) compared to 2018. Lower soil samples taken on drystock farms in 2019 may be influenced by lack of profitability in the sector and turbulence in the market place experienced in 2019. On tillage farms 22% of samples in 2019 had optimum soil pH, P & K which is building on previous years overall soil fertility improvements. In 2019 soil P & K levels have continued to improve with 50% & 59% of soils at index 3 & 4 respectively for P & K.

Soil Fertility Data 2019

All Soil Results & Enterprises 2019 (PDF)

County Specific Data:

Carlow 2019-Cavan 2019-Clare 2019-Cork 2019-Donegal 2019-Dublin 2019-Galway 2019-Kerry 2019-Kildare 2019-Kilkenny 2019-Laois 2019-Limerick 2019-Longford 2019-Louth 2019-Mayo 2019-Meath 2019-Monaghan 2019-Roscommon 2019-Sligo 2019-Tipperary 2019-Waterford 2019-Westmeath 2019-Wexford 2019

Soil Fertility Data 2018

All Soil Results and Enterprises 2018(PDF)

County Specific Data:

Carlow 2018- Cavan 2018- Clare 2018- Cork 2018- Donegal 2018- Dublin 2018- Galway 2018- Kerry 2018 - Kildare 2018- Kilkenny 2018- Laois 2018- Leitrim 2018 - Limerick 2018- Longford 2018 - Louth 2018- Mayo 2018-Meath 2018- Monaghan 2018- Roscommon 2018- Sligo 2018-Tipperary 2018- Waterford 2018-Westmeath 2018- Wexford 2018

Soil Results

Soil Fertility Data 2019

Soil Fertility Data 2018

Soil Fertility Data 2017

Soil Fertility Data 2016

Soil Fertility Data 2015

Soil Fertility Data 2014