The Fertilizer Association of Ireland awarded Dr Brian Coulter the 2019 Special Merit Award at the association’s annual dinner on Friday 15 November. Brian worked at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle research centre for over 40 years as a leading soil scientist. The fertiliser association awards the Special Merit Award on a bi-annual basis to recipients that have made an outstanding contribution to the association and the agricultural industry during their career.

The presentation of the Special Merit Award was made by the association’s outgoing president Peter Ging, who congratulated Dr Coulter saying: “Brian’s distinguished career has been closely intertwined with the development of soil testing, which spearheaded the development of Irish agriculture from the early 1960s.” Brian worked closely with the association throughout his career in the development of crop nutrient advice and formulating suitable fertiliser types for all the major crops grown in Ireland.

“Indeed, we have Brian to thank for ubiquitous fertilisers such as N-P-K: 18-6-12,” Ging added. Brian also held the position as association’s president in 2005.

Brian’s distinguished career has been closely intertwined with the development of soil testing, which spearheaded the development of Irish agriculture from the early 1960s

A Dublin man, Brian Coulter began his career in Powers Distillery as a technician and studied for a Bachelor of Science at night. He started in An Foras Taluntais at Johnstown Castle in 1963. Between 1963 and 1966, he completed his PhD at the world famous Rothamsted experimental research station in the UK. When he returned to Johnstown Castle, he immediately set to work on soil chemistry. The 1960s were a very exciting time for soil fertility development and Brian was at the very heart of it. He was surrounded by a group of gifted soil scientists that included Jim Brogan and Tom Gately.

Brian initially worked on measuring soil pH, which is central to soil fertility. He developed a pH indicator (Buffer solution) which was widely used and sought after by advisory field staff at the time. Brian calibrated and refined the lime requirement test through a number of controlled and field experiments. He also played a pivotal role in the development of the Morgan’s Extractant for testing soil P and K levels and the development of individual crop nutrient advice recommendations tailor-made for Irish soils.

We have Brian to thank for ubiquitous fertilisers such as N-P-K: 18-6-12

As the years progressed, it became apparent that the country required data on soil fertility trends and nutrient use. He was one of the first to publish data on the rapidly improving soil fertility across Ireland in the early years.

Brian’s most important publications were undoubtedly the early editions of Teagasc Major and Micro Nutrient Advice for Productive Agricultural Crops, commonly referred as the “Green Book”. These publications provided essential reference information for anybody involved in managing crops, from cereals to grass and vegetables to soft fruit.

The FAI Special Merit Award is a formal recognition and reward for making a significant contribution to the development and advancement of the agricultural industry. Previous recipients are Dr Noel Culleton, Matt Dempsey (of the Irish Farmers Journal), Gary Leonard, and Dr Willie Murphy.

UCD Soil Science Award

Peter Ging, Fertilizer Association of Ireland presenting UDC Soil Science Award to Cian Minogue.

Each year, the Fertiliser Association of Ireland presents a monetary prize to a student in UCD to reward excellence in their Soil Science exams. This award was presented by the outgoing president of the Fertilizer Association of Ireland, Peter Ging in a ceremony in UCD on 7 November 2019 to top student Cian Minogue.