A key message coming from the Teagasc Grass10 farm walks is the need to address any potassium deficiency on your farm.

This presents farmers with a real option to utilise their nutrient management plans (NMP) that were carried out for GLAS over the past year.

Farmers went through substantial expense to get the NMP completed, so it should not be discarded to the back of a drawer, never to see the light of day again.

Unlike other chemical fertilisers, there is no closed period for spreading potash-based chemical fertilisers.

If weather conditions allow, farmers should consider spreading muriate of potash (MOP, 0:0:50) on fields that have been identified as being low on potassium. Spreading at a rate of one bag per acre will generally lift potassium status by one index value.

Teagasc figures estimate that 57% of fields in the country are deficient in potassium. The timing of this application can also be important. High application rates in the spring should be avoided, as it can result in suppressed magnesium intake in grass, which can lead to grass tetany in grazing animals.

Hazardous waste final call

There are only two remaining collections as part of the farm hazardous waste collection days that have been ongoing for the past two months.

In Galway, there will be a collection at Athenry Mart on Friday 24 November, while in Meath, the final collection of the series will take place at the Kells Recycling Centre on Tuesday 28 November. The collections will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm on these days.

Farmers can bring a range of hazardous materials to ensure they will be safely disposed of, including items such as pesticides, veterinary medicines, doses, dips, wormers, dry cow and mastitis tubes, needles and syringes, oil and air filters among other items.

Traditional farm buildings

The deadline to submit applications for the GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme is Friday 24 November at 5pm.

Applications, including all accompanying documentation such as photos and maps, must be posted to Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme 2018, The Heritage Council, Church Lane, Co Kilkenny.