Teagasc Launches Tillage Soil Testing Campaign

Issued 6 August

Teagasc is running a special soil analysis campaign for tillage farmers during August, September and October.

The campaign is being run against the background of growing incidence of crop problems and, in some cases, crop failures due to deficiencies of lime and trace elements.

Jim O'Mahony, Chief Tillage Adviser with Teagasc, said that results from the soil analysis laboratory at Johnstown Castle Research Centre show that up to 40% of tillage land is seriously deficient in lime.

''Over one-third of the tillage land is seriously deficient in the critical trace elements, copper, zinc and manganese. In relation to phosphorus and potash, our results show that levels are low in about a quarter of soils while a further quarter have high levels of where grain crops can be comfortably grown without phosphorus and potash for a number of years'', said Jim O'Mahony.

He said the Teagasc S4 soil analysis package is tailored for the needs of tillage farmers and provides vital information on lime requirement, phosphorus, potash, magnesium, copper, manganese and zinc.

Tillage farmers availing of this service during August, September and October will benefit from a special 6offer of six soil samples for the price of five.

Jim O'Mahony urged tillage farmers to contact their Teagasc tillage adviser or local Teagasc office to arrange a soil test.