|
The introduction of the Nitrate Directive (S.I. 378) focuses on the total use of fertilisers on the farm and its objective is to avoid any risk of pollution to adjacent water courses and rivers.
In practive many grass farms do not require Pohsphorous fertiliser with Biofert. Potassium can be topped up in Autumn and Nitrogen applications are significantly reduced without reducing output quantity and quality.
Significant reductions of N.P. fertiliser have also been achieved on tillage areas. There are visible improvements in soil conditions such as friability, surface drainage, increased earthworm population, etc. – all resulting in more fertile soils and more consistent yields.
Soil micronutrient levels are generally low in the granite based landbank soils. Repeat applications of Biofert/Biocake to these soils, together with the judicious use of Quinns Nitrate Balancer, which has added micronutrients, specially designed to supplement Biofert/Biocake, will improve this situation in time resulting in better micro nutrient balance in crops and grass. In the long term this is the best way to manage farm micronutrient problems which are widespread in these soils.
We recommend spot check leaf analysis at the early fast growing stage to monitor soil and plant nutrient balance and is a useful aid to long term accurate soil nutrient management. Plant tissue analysis can be a very accurate reflection of the soils ability to supply adequate nutrients to fast growing crops.
The beneficial effects of recycling Biofert/Biocake to Agriculture over the last eight years are the partial replacement of imported chemical fertilisers with a home produced organic based fertiliser and the very beneficial effect to the environment of supplying slow release crop nutrients to the soil which greatly reduces the risk of nutrients leaching to ground water.
Much of the landbank is due for resampling in Autumn 2008. Our soil and plant monitoring to date indicate no build up of harmful metals in soil or plant which is expected due to the very low level of heavy metals present in the Biofert products.
While this Directive is very positive with regard to the protection of the Environment it limits the quantities of fertiliser which may be applied and necessitates the production of very comprehensive Crop Nutrient Management Plans.
Until June 07 these plans were drawn up by one of Ireland’s leading Agronomists Mr John Britton, ACE Consultancy. Following John’s retirement in June, Tinahely based Agricultural and Business Consultants – “John Byrne Consultancy” have been appointed by Quinns to produce Crop Nutrient Management Plans compliant with the new legislation.
Most farmers are now participating in the REPS Scheme (Rural Environmental Protection Scheme) and many of our existing customers for Biofert/Biocake are extremely disappointed to hear from their REPS Planners that the availability for P and N must be taken as 100%. This effectively would rule out the possibility of using Biofert or Biocake on any REPS farm.
The good news however is that the Department of Agriculture is presently addressing this issue and expect to have an agreed availability for P & N which is more realistic and will also allow for the continued use of Biosolids on REPS farms which are not already excessively stocked.
We confidently expect to have this and some other outstanding issues successfully resolved prior to the commencement of the spreading campaign in mid January 2008.
Farmers in Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow are particularly fortunate in that the soils in these counties are suitable for the spreading of Biosolids unlike the limestone based soils in other counties.
The price of chemical fertilisers are escalating dramatically and the judicious use of Biocake/Biofert will substantially reduce the use of chemical fertilisers with resultant substantial savings.
The nett overall cost to the farmer is €9/acre which is a token contribution towards the cost of soil sampling, soil analysis, crop nutrient management plans, delivery of Biofert/Biocake, spreading of Biofert/Biocake etc. If you are interested in being assessed with regard to the suitability of your land for the spreading of Biofert or Bicake please contact us here at Quinns.
Is there any better value in organic fertilisers?
|
