Tillage Newsletter - January 2021

Get the latest information & advice from the Teagasc Crops team in this month's newsletter. It includes: Lime and soil pH; Spring beans; Health & Safety - Health is wealth; Dates for your diary & The Tillage Edge Podcast.

View it here: Tillage Newsletter - January 2021 (PDF)

In this month's edition:

• Lime and soil pH
  Soil pH plays a key role in soil fertility. Maintaining the soil pH at the optimum level will increase the microbiological activity of the soil, and result in better soil nutrient recycling and release. Soil pH is also critical for maximising the availability of nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)) applied in organic and chemical fertilisers.
  
• Spring beans
  The area of spring beans increased to 12,600ha in 2020. The protein payment is available again this year and favourable forward prices are available from the trade. This makes beans a financially attractive option for 2021 notwithstanding the additional benefits for succeeding crops.
  
• Health & Safety - Health is wealth
  Put health at the top of your agenda for 2021. A major Irish study completed in 2020 found that 74% of farmers have four or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) which increases the chance of having a stroke or heart attack threefold compared to those with fewer risk factors. View the report here
• Dates for your diary
  In compliance with Covid-19 regulations, the normal county seminars and the National Tillage Conference will take place virtually for 2021.
  
• Tillage podcast
  Teagasc produces a weekly podcast, called the Tillage Edge, which discusses all the latest news and advice relevant to tillage farmers.