5 STEPS TO BETTER SOIL FERTILITY

1. SOIL TESTING  

Provides you with vital information about your soils

• • A foundation for your fertilizer plan

• • A small farm expense costing in the region of €1.25/ha/yr and is valid for 5 years

•  • A standard soil test will give the soils fertility status as follows; pH, lime requirement, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

SOIL PH & LIME

• Lime improves the availability of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium and Magnesium

• Lime at least every 5 years

• Ground limestone can be spread at any time

• Apply lime as per soil test report. Avoid over-liming as it can result in trace element imbalances.

1. TARGET INDEX 3 FOR P & K

   • Index 3 is the optimum level for crop growth

   • Only by soil testing will you know your P & K levels

   • Index 4 soils (high fertility) are a resource - use them to save money on fertilizer

   • Index 1 and 2 soils (low fertility) need additional nutrients

   • Monitor your soil fertility by looking at previous analysis.

2. SLURRY & MANURES

   • Plan when and where slurry/manure will be best utilised

   • Aim to apply slurry in spring during moist cool conditions

   • Apply slurry and manures on land that requires P & K

   • Take account of nutrients contained in slurry if applying chemical fertilizer to the same area

   • Always observe buffer zones from watercourses and wells.

3. NUTRIENT BALANCE

   • Develop a fertilizer plan for your farm

   • Get the best value from fertilisers and organic manure

   • Enhance crop yield and animal performance

   • Reduce environmental risks due to field losses of excess nutrients

   • Potential cost savings when all nutrient inputs are accounted for