Strategies to cope with rising fertiliser prices

Given the significant rise in fertiliser prices, Signpost programme advisor Seamus Kearney joins Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to discuss how to minimise the requirement for chemical N in the first round through strategic use of slurry. Seamus quantifies the quantity of Nitrogen in slurry at approximately 23 units per 2,500 gallons using Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment and he recommends that farmers target 50% of the farm with slurry during the first round (Jan and Feb) when the weather forecast and ground conditions are favourable. For the other ½ of the platform, Seamus recommends that farmers should have 23 units of Nitrogen ordered and ready in the yard for application from mid-Feb. Seamus compares protected Urea and CAN fertiliser products per kg of Nitrogen with protected Urea at €950 per tonne costing €2.06 per kg N while CAN at €700 per tonne costs €2.59 per kg N. Seamus explains that protected Urea is the recommended Nitrogen product of choice; research at Teagasc Johnstown Castle has shown that the use of protected Urea has shown an increase in grass production whilst reducing Nitrous Oxide emissions. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com