Fertiliser advice over the last few weeks has been to continue to spread after grazing. However, with soil moisture deficits now exceeding 60mm in most parts, and over 80mm on dry land along the east and south, there is no advantage to spreading fertiliser in these conditions.

If grass is green and growing then soil moisture deficits are likely to be less than 60mm, so fertiliser can continue to be spread as it will be taken up by the plant. But if there is no growth, there will be no uptake.

Nitrogen losses after spreading CAN on dry soils is minimal. So fertiliser that was spread at the last round hasn’t been utilised yet. Spreading more fertiliser on top of this won’t be utilised either. But it will be used after the drought ends, resulting in a huge uptake of nitrogen and a potential souring of the grass.

Farmers should be recording when they spread fertiliser and how much is being spread. When rain is forecast they can then decide whether or not they think the fertiliser was used and if more is needed.

According to Met Éireann, there is a chance of rain showers in Munster during Sunday and Monday of next week, but it is not certain.

Heatwave advice: second-cut silage and topping dilemmas

Heatwave advice: are your animals getting enough water?

Heatwave advice: fertiliser changes

As drought conditions worsen, the advice about whether or not to spread fertiliser is changing.