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The initial results from a comprehensive analysis of NI soils suggests that the potential to redirect surplus phosphorus from the local dairy sector on to beef and sheep farms is less than first thought.
The findings originate from the free soil testing service offered by AFBI last winter and funded by EU exceptional adjustment aid. Two schemes were developed – an open scheme available to all farmers, and a catchment scheme targeted at farmers in Upper Bann.
The open scheme was significantly over-subscribed, with 3,000 farmers applying. In the end, a total of 522 farmers were chosen at random across NI, with samples taken from 12,100 fields. In the catchment scheme, 513 farms were chosen, covering 7,772 fields.
Explaining the initial results at an AFBI stakeholder open meeting last week, Dr John Bailey highlighted that 42% of soils tested in NI already have a surplus of P (above Index 2). Within this, 47% of fields in the lowland, 43% of fields in disadvantaged areas (DA), and 36% in severely disadvantaged areas (SDA) are above Index 2.
Looking at farm types, 50% of fields on NI dairy farms are in surplus. However, 40% of fields on beef and sheep farms in the lowland and DA, and 30% of fields on beef and sheep farms in the SDA, are also in surplus. “There is not the opportunity to take P elsewhere than we maybe thought,” said Bailey.
Catchment
While the open scheme concentrated on soil analysis, the work done in the Upper Bann catchment scheme was more detailed, with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology used to identify fields at high risk of P runoff.
According to Bailey, this technology identified that less than 10% of fields were high-risk, but there were some hot-spot areas. Future advice could be to avoid spreading slurry on these fields at certain times, or to plant buffer strips (for example willow) that would help catch nutrient run-off.
Another issue to be investigated further is the hydrology of the soil. Applying slurry to fields that are above a P Index 2 might be less of a risk on dry land than land in the SDA. “There is a lot of work still to do,” acknowledged Bailey.
Potassium
In terms of other nutrients, the study showed that 24% of fields are low in potassium (under soil index of 2-). It is an issue mainly seen in silage swards, and a major contributor to lower yields.
Lime
Also, 43% of grassland in NI requires lime. Bailey estimates that correcting this would require 1.2mt of lime, at a cost of approximately £30m, but that would deliver extra grass output worth up to £216m, a seven-fold return.
With a DAERA review into the activities of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to be complete next month, out-going chief executive, Dr Sinclair Mayne articulated some of the outcomes he would like to see at the open meeting held last week.
At present, AFBI receives around £32m each year from the Department to fund core activities. While the figure has stabilised in recent years, it is still significantly less than the £40m received when AFBI was first formed in 2006.
To be sustainable and grow into the future, the challenge put to AFBI is to increase income from other sources. In 2017/18, a total of £23m was brought in, and the projection for 2018/19 is £24m. Around a quarter of this is from royalty income, principally from a pig vaccine developed in the 1990s.
The point made by Mayne is that it is difficult for a public body such as AFBI to work in the commercial environment, while still meeting all the governance requirements as set out by DAERA. “It slows things down. We need more flexibility. There are fantastic opportunities out there,” he maintained.
Aside from that, DAERA-funded research is still crucial to AFBI, and it inevitably requires proposals to be drawn up and forms to be filled in. To help streamline the process, AFBI has recruited new staff in finance and corporate affairs. “We have got to allow scientists to get on and do science. Too many are involved in the administration load,” said Mayne.
Facilities
While visitors to the open day at AFBI Hillsborough last week will have viewed some top-class facilities, there are other areas where investment is required. Plans are well advanced for a replacement building for veterinary sciences division at AFBI Stormont, with construction due to begin in September 2019 and to be complete by March 2022.
New beef unit
A new beef unit at AFBI Hillsborough is also planned, with a revised business case put to DAERA this month. If approved, a new building should be complete in the autumn of 2021, said Mayne.
Taking those projects forward will fall to current AFBI deputy chief, Dr Stanley McDowell, who is replacing Mayne as chief executive from 1 September 2018.
Mayne retires at the end of August.
£5m going on ammonia research
Around £5m of funding from DAERA has been made available to AFBI to conduct research into ammonia emissions over the next five years.
With an estimated 93% of total ammonia emissions in NI coming from agriculture, of which 28% is from spreading manures, 36% released during housing and 16% coming from manure storage, it is an issue mainly related to the housing of livestock, said Mayne.
The AFBI work will cover a number of issues including an assessment of how much ammonia is released from various systems of housing (eg slats v solid floors); also, what effect changes to the diet might have, and what technology could be used to limit ammonia release.
“We really need research to help deal with this difficult problem. The alternative is to restrict livestock numbers in NI,” said Mayne.
Investigations into Schmallenberg
Also presenting at the AFBI open meeting was veterinary researcher Dr Ken Lemon.
He highlighted the ongoing risks from a number of infectious diseases, including bluetongue, which has been found in cattle in northern France. However, a more immediate issue is the re-emergence of Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) in NI this year, having first been detected in 2012. The virus is spread by midges.“The question for us is where has it been in the intervening years. The midges generally don’t survive the winter. We are currently looking at this,” said Lemon.
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