As reported last week, farmers will be coming under more pressure in 2019 to limit the amount of phosphorus (P) containing fertiliser spread onto land.

The latest statistics suggest that less than one-third of rivers in NI are classed as “good”, with the main concern relating to P leaking into watercourses. That comes from two sources – P in concentrate, that is fed to livestock, passes into slurry and is then spread on the land; and P in compound fertiliser. It is this latter issue that is seen as the easier to tackle in the short-term.

While it is a legal requirement that P fertiliser should only be spread where there is a soil analysis (taken in the last four years) which shows that there is a crop need, it is not something currently included in cross compliance rules. That is likely to change in 2019, which means that farmers who use fertiliser containing P without the necessary proof that it is required (from a soil analysis), run the risk of fines to direct payments.

As a result, farmers need to plan now for the year ahead.

The starting point should be to test soil for underlying pH, P and K (potassium) status. Applying any chemical fertiliser to soils that are low in pH is wasteful. Using a compound fertiliser on fields that receive regular applications of slurry (and are high in both P and K) makes no sense.

However, on lower-stocked farms, silage fields in particular, can be low in K, while on grazing ground that does not receive any slurry, both P and K might be required. It is also good practice to use fertiliser with added sulphur, especially for first cuts, and in the first round of grazing.

For those farmers with access to DAERA online services, a crop nutrient calculator is available which will allow you to plan your fertiliser regime for 2019 in each individual field. It is a useful tool that can help you maximise yield at minimum cost.

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