Teagasc Announces New Fertiliser Recommendations
Issued 7thDecember 2001
Teagasc has published new fertiliser recommendations aimed at ensuring the most cost-efficient production of milk, meat and tillage crops while also minimising risks to the environment.
The new recommendations on ''Nutrient and Trace Element Advice for Grassland and Tillage Crops'' were launched today by Mr Noel Davern, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, at a Teagasc conference in Portlaoise.
Compiled by a team, led by Dr Brian Coulter at the Teagasc Environmental Research Centre at Johnstown Castle, Wexford, the new recommendations reflect the changing farm production systems and the increased awareness of damage to water from nutrient run-off.
They involve a refocusing of the Teagasc advice on nitrogen application levels to grassland taking into account aspects such as high yielding dairy cows and the low levels of clover on most Irish farms. Advice on phosphorus levels for grassland and tillage crops has also been updated to reflect new Teagasc research information and also the importance of balancing agricultural production with environmental risk.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Coulter said the new recommendations are an important foundation stone in ensuring the sustainable development of Irish agriculture and environmental protection.
He said the implementation by farmers of Teagasc advice in reducing levels of phosphorus fertiliser had resulted in a drop of 20% in the usage of phosphorus over the past three years, with no impact on agricultural output.
''Farmers are now applying 10,000 tonnes less of phosphorus fertiliser which has led to a saving of €12m. This will also reduce the potential losses of phosphorus from agriculture to water'', he said.
The Teagasc environmental conference was attended by key executives in local authorities and by leading officials involved in the development and implementation of environmental protection policies. They were provided with detailed information on the new Teagasc fertiliser recommendations and were up-dated on the comprehensive environmental research programme underway at Johnstown Castle.
