Welcome to this year’s fertiliser supplement prepared by the Fertilizer Association of Ireland in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Journal. The Fertilizer Association of Ireland was formed over 50 years ago with a mission statement to “promote the efficient use of fertilizer to produce quality food in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.” This is still as relevant today as it was in 1968, as agriculture faces many challenges in respect to profitability and environmental sustainability.

The efficient use of fertiliser plays a major role in helping farming systems reach their production and profitability goals, while also protecting water quality and reducing both GHGs and ammonia emissions from agriculture.

Protected urea is a tried and tested method of reducing gaseous emissions from agriculture, which could help Ireland meet EU targets over the next 10 years. This year’s fertiliser supplement answers frequently asked questions about protected urea.

The efficient use of fertiliser plays a major role in helping farming systems reach their production and profitability goals

It also reports from the association’s annual spring seminar “Farming in a Low Emissions Environment” where the Molyneaux family from west Limerick outline how they have increased the production and environmental sustainability of their dairy farm through better nutrient management planning and increasing soil fertility and grass utilisation, in conjunction with low emission slurry spreading and using protected urea as the main N fertiliser source.

Agricultural consultant Chris Dawson, from the UK, highlights the importance of potassium for improving N efficiency and explains how this can benefit Irish farmers. Noel Meehan, Agricultural Sustainability Support Advisory Programme (ASSAP) manager with Teagasc, explains how the programme is helping farmers to adopt new strategies to improve water quality over the coming years.

This fertiliser supplement also provides useful tips and information on increasing the efficiency of fertiliser use and the return on investment in fertilisers on farms.