Strategies to tackle and lift soil fertility

Teagasc’s, David Wall, joins Emma-Louise Coffey on the latest Dairy Edge podcast with strategies to tackle and lift soil fertility. David explains that while fertiliser cost and uncertainty of supply has worried farmers during the year, some positive trends such as better use of slurry and increased use of lime were observed.  However, David warns that if you have taken a break from spreading Phosphorus and Potassium in 2022, it is essential to incorporate these compounds for 2023 to avoid a decline in soil fertility. David then quantifies the benefit of optimum soil fertility with lift in Nitrogen use efficiency from 35% in soils with low fertility to 80-85% where soils are at optimum. David also reminds us of closed fertiliser periods: 15th September for chemical Nitrogen and 8th October for slurry. 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