LATEST ARTICLES
Farm Programmes
Beyond N, P and K: balancing the living army in our soils
Emma Hart
Balancing soil chemistry is vital for optimising the use of inputs, but there’s also a growing awareness of the importance of nurturing the living component of our soils, writes Emma Hart.
27 March 2024 Footprint Farmers
Navigating soil test results on Footprint Farms
Good nutrient management is about measuring what you can (soil, slurry and crops) and adjusting year on year to improve efficiency and minimise environmental impact across the entire system.
27 March 2024 News
Slurry from 5,000 cattle provides for well-fed crops
The Kepak farm in Co Meath is using slurry wisely to reduce artificial inputs, reduce emissions and improve sustainability.
Soil test results: 34% of samples at optimum P, K and pH on Footprint Farms
Using soil test results to target fertiliser applications can boost soil fertility, reduce costs and minimise environmental damage, writes Emma Hart.
13 March 2024 Footprint Farmers
Plant diversity is key to soil health
Diverse planting practices have been at the core of our food production systems for thousands of years, writes Emma Hart.
6 December 2023 Footprint Farmers
Autumn liming to drive spring grass growth
It can take four to six months from spreading ground limestone to correct soil pH, so an autumn lime application is best to drive grass growth next spring.
20 September 2022 Management
Farming can be the solution in emissions reduction
Agricultural land can store carbon in the soil, trees and hedgerows to offset emissions produced by the industry.
3 August 2022 Footprint Farmers
Lime can be applied at any time of the year
Lime use is on the up and with good reason. It is one of the best investments that can be made on farms.
15 June 2022 Sustainability
On farm with the soil farmer of the year
This mixed farmer is doing some simple things that work on his farm and are making a big difference from clover establishment to animal health.
15 June 2022 Sustainability
Organic manures - the ultimate investment for tillage land
Organic manures bring short- and long-term benefits, especially on worn tillage land. Andy Doyle reports.
1 September 2021 Soils
Principles behind successful straw incorporation
Successful straw incorporation will bring short- and long-term benefits, as well as some risks, so it is essential to understand the objectives, writes Andy Doyle.
16 June 2021 Soils
Why carbon sequestered in farmland can’t be accounted for at national level
The process of generating soil carbon credits, which can contribute towards reducing national agricultural emissions, is a difficult one, writes Stephen Robb.
2 June 2021 News