2. A. What is it? B. Why is it important? C. How is it done?

3. InOut Nutrients

4. Getting the balance right! Nutrients In Nutrients Out

5. N Nitrogen P Phosphorus K Potassium S Sulphur ………NO 3 Nitrate ………P 2 O 5 Phosphate ………K 2 O Potash ………S0 4 Sulphate Nutrients needed by crops for growth

6. Soil Structure pH

8. Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on: 07 March 2008 Date Received: 29 February 2009 pHTextureLime RequirementPhosphorusPotassiumMagnesium Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) 400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2+) 102 (3) Soil Analysis Laboratory Report

9. Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on: 07 March 2008 Date Received: 29 February 2009 pHTextureLime RequirementPhosphorusPotassiumMagnesium Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) 400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2+) 102 (3) Farm Survey & Field Number Soil Analysis Laboratory Report

10. Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on: 07 March 2008 Date Received: 29 February 2009 pHTextureLime RequirementPhosphorusPotassiumMagnesium Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) 400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2+) 102 (3) Farm Survey & Field Number Texture Soil Analysis Laboratory Report

12. Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on: 07 March 2008 Date Received: 29 February 2009 pHTextureLime RequirementPhosphorusPotassiumMagnesium Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) 400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2+) 102 (3) Farm Survey & Field Number pHTextureLime requirement for arable & Grass Soil Analysis Laboratory Report

14. Lime is used to improve acidic soils (i.e. raise low soil pHs) Cereals

15. Total lime = area of field x lime per ha = 2.69 x 4 = 10.76t Recommendation is for year 1only Lime Requirement

16. pH 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 Phosphorus (P) Potash (K 2 O) Ca Mg Mo Sulphur (S) Fe Mn Cu Zn Boron (B) Soil pH and Nutrient availability

17. Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on: 07 March 2008 Date Received: 29 February 2009 pHTextureLime RequirementPhosphorusPotassiumMagnesium Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) 400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2+) 102 (3) Farm Survey & Field Number pHTextureLime requirement for arable & Grass Available amounts of nutrients (Index) Soil Analysis Laboratory Report

18. Phosphate: What does it do?

19. Soil P IndexWhat the P Index means 0Deficient Production will be limited. Requires slurry/manure and/or P fertiliser. 1 Optimum Extensive Extensive grazing. Continue with usual slurry & fertiliser policy. 2 Optimum Intensive Intensive grazing & silage fields & arable. Continue with usual slurry & fertiliser policy. 3High No yield response to added P. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields. Use a zero- P fertiliser. Apply P to arable crop needs only. 4 +Excessive No yield response to added P. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields. Use a zero- P fertiliser. Apply P to arable crop needs only. Increasing Soil P

20.  Speeds up reactions (catalyst)  Controls water movement (translocation)  Controls water loss  Involved in nutrient and sugar transport.

21. Soil K IndexWhat the K Index means 0Deficient Production will be limited. Requires slurry and/or high K fertiliser. 1Low Inadequate for production, especially silage. Use slurry and/or high K fertiliser. 2- 2+ Optimum High Grazing, silage & arable fields. Continue with usual slurry and fertiliser policy. 3High No yield response to added potash. Avoid slurry applications unless low P levels. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields. 4 & above Excessive No yield response to added potash. Avoid slurry applications unless low P levels. Redistribute slurry to more suitable fields. Increasing Soil K

23.  During rapid vegetative growth, the rapid uptake of nitrogen as negatively charged nitrate ions (NO3-) is normally balanced by a similar uptake of positively charged potash ions (K+) which maintains the electrical neutrality of the plant  Water mobility  Tugor pressure

24. Soil - summary Valuable source of nutrients Sample every 4 years Use analysis to determine the amount of nutrients in the soil The higher the soil nutrient reserves (Index), the lower the need for additional nutrients

25. Slurry 10 million m 3 Produced in NI each year

26. 2.8 2.64.4 6% dry matter 2.81.83.6 4% dry matter 3.2 4.0 1.2 1.8 2.6 3.6 6% dry matter 10% dry matter K20K20P205P205 N Livestock Type 1kg/m 3 = 9 units/1000 gal 182530 Broiler litter (60% Dry Matter)

27. Determining DM content of cattle slurry 2% DM Consistency of dirty water 6% DM Consistency of thick soup 10% DM Consistency of thick sticky porridge

28. Spring = 2014 £31/acre (£76/ha) Autumn = 2014 £28/acre (£69/ha) 3000 gallons/acre (33m 3 /ha) Cattle slurry

29.  Organic manures are a valuable source of nutrients  Use at the right time, rate, place and with the right equipment  Chemical fertiliser is expensive and should only be used as a top up.

30. Why manage nutrients? 1. Potential to reduce fertiliser costs 2. Protect the environment 3. Meet Nitrates Directive requirements

31. 3000 gal/acre Cattle slurry= £31/acre 100 cow dairy herd = £4,200/yr 50 suckler herd= £1,300/yr Total slurry in NI= £23m The value of slurry

32. 2. Protect the environment Nutrient loss – phosphates and nitrates Slurry & fertiliser runoff Leaching through the soil Soil particle loss Causes nutrient enrichment (eutrophication)

33.  If sowing chemical P fertiliser ◦ Soil Analysis ◦ P recommendation for the crop ◦ Type and quantity of all fertiliser containing P applied  If sowing chemical N fertiliser on crops other than grass ◦ Soil N supply index

34. Step 1 - Soil analysis Step 2 - What does the soil analysis mean? Step 3 - Estimate Nitrogen requirements Step 4 - What nutrients does the crop require? Step 5 - How many nutrients can be supplied by organic manures? Step 6 - Which chemical fertiliser can supply the remaining nutrients required

35. Mr AN Other Somewhere Report generated on: 07 March 2008 Date Received: 29 February 2009 pHTextureLime RequirementPhosphorusPotassiumMagnesium Lab No./ Reference Arable t/ha (t/acre) Grass t/ha (t/acre) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) mg/l (index) 400-2008 Soil 1-19-60 Field 4 6.1SZL (Sandy silt loam) 4.00 (2.00) 0.00 (0.00) 20.0 (2) 216 (2+) 102 (3) Farm Survey & Field Number pHTextureLime requirement for arable & Grass Available amounts of nutrients (Index) Step 1 - Soil Analysis Laboratory Report

36.  Not included in soil analysis  Estimated after considering, rainfall, soil type and previous cropping  Soil Nitrogen Supply Index – the higher the index, the lower the requirement

37. See pages 68 & 69 of the NAP Booklet

38. Crop requirement depends on: Crop type What’s already in the soil The higher the soil nutrient reserves (Soil Index), the lower the need for additional nutrients RB 209

39. Crop requirement for phosphate See page 72 Nitrates Guidance Booklet

40.  Establish the Soil Nitrogen Supply Index (SNS)and N requirement for the crop  Follow RB209 recommendation

41. Chemical Fertiliser 25 5 5 % Nitrogen (N) % Potash (K 2 0) % Phosphate (P 2 0 5 ) Step 6 1 50kg bag/acre = 125kg/ha

42. (1) N Kg/ha (2) P 2 O 5 (2+) K 2 0 Crop requirement (Based on crop type & soil analysis) 1405040 Available nutrients in 33m3 dairy cow slurry 3540104 Chemical fertiliser requirement 105100 Getting the balance right – Spring Barley

43.  Determine N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O required by crops;  Calculate the amount of nutrients supplied by organic manures  Select the correct chemical fertiliser and application rate  Retain information required for record keeping

44. 1. N, P, K In = N, P, K Out 2. Nutrient sources soil, slurry/ manure and fertiliser 3. Make best use of nutrient sources  Save money  Protect the environment  Meet Nitrates Directive Requirements 4. How?  Soil sampling and analysis is the starting point  Estimate crop needs  Use slurry/manure effectively  Only use fertiliser to top-up any outstanding crop needs 5. Help  Crop Nutrient Recommendation Calculator  Nitrates Guidance  RB209  Codes of Good Agricultural Practice