Applying fertiliser: As per the Nitrates Directive, chemical fertiliser, slurry and farmyard manure can be applied in Zone A counties on 13 January and Zone B counties on 16 January, while the starting date for fertiliser spreading in Zone C counties (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan) is 1 February.

The unusually mild weather is generating more debate on spreading fertiliser, with fields getting greener by the day and grass growth taking place.

For many farmers it will seem unusual to be talking about spreading fertiliser at this time of year, but it should be remembered that the opportunity may be far greater now than in a few weeks’ time.

Decisions will obviously be farm specific, but given the conditions that unfolded in spring 2018, intensive enterprises farming on dry lands in particular cannot pass up the opportunity to boost spring grass supplies.

Soil temperatures of 5.5°C are required to kick-start grass growth, with reports showing soil temperatures at present being significantly higher, ranging from 7°C to 9°C, meaning that there will be a good response to applied nitrogen.

Growth should also be significantly higher than the 5kg DM/ha highlighted by Teagasc as being required to cover the cost of spring N application.

The economic response is more favourable at lower application rates, with the advice being to apply in the region of 20 to 25 units of N – with urea representing the lowest cost per unit of nitrogen and representing a much lower risk of N loss.

Spreading should be avoided where wet weather is forecast in the 48-hour period post-application.

Field selection will also influence the response achieved, with reseeded and younger swards achieving much higher utilisation.

Teagasc advises fields with grass cover (minimum of 300kg to 400kg DM) will also perform better with the advice to prioritise slurry to bare paddocks.

Soil fertility: There is also a good opportunity with positive soil conditions to get soil samples taken.

There are less than 10% of soils analysed at the optimum level for soil phosphorus and potassium.

In cases this may be related to pH levels, with one in 10 farms analysed below the optimum pH of 6.3 to 6.5 for grassland swards.

An increase in soil pH through applying lime also has the potential to unlock supplies that are locked up, while addressing soil pH can also unlock up to 80kg nitrogen per hectare delivering a six- to seven-fold return on your investment.

Samples cost in the region of €12 to €25, depending on who collects them, a small cost relative to the value gained and a particularly good investment given the increase in fertiliser prices. Samples should not be taken until at least three months has passed since chemical P & K fertiliser or organic manure has been applied.

The recommended area per soil sample on uniform land is one sample every four to five hectares.

Where land type varies significantly, samples will need to be taken in a smaller area to give a more accurate reading.

Samples should be taken by walking in the shape of a W in the area to be sampled, while avoiding areas where animals may have been supplemented or tend to gather in fields.