Join us for our 59th Annual Spring Seminar on Tuesday 10th February 2026 in the Horse & Jockey Hotel. Details on papers and speakers below.

‼️New rules for Soil Sampling‼️ 📢 From 14 Sept 2025, all soil test reports must include the georeference or LPIS parcel for each sample. Reports issued without this info will be automatically classed as P Index 4 under new regulations. ⚠️

Where there is fertiliser present, the declaration should include the type of fertiliser and the quantities being held. In cases where there are no stocks of fertiliser on hand, it is simply a matter of ticking a box to declare a nil stock return.

‼️Reminder‼️ The final date for submission of Closing Stock of fertiliser on farms and premises is 15 October 2025.

📅The last date for applying FYM in 2025 is Friday October 31st. 📅 Good soil trafficability gives a chance to empty FYM stores and improve fertility. Prioritise fields lowest in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

The final date for submission of Closing Stock of fertiliser on farms and premises is 15 October 2025

Where there is fertiliser present (Fertiliser you have on farm/premises as of 14 September 2025), the declaration should include the type of fertiliser and the quantities being held.

Declaration of fertiliser closing stock is a straightforward process whereby farmers, or their agents, can log on to  https://t.co/uTees6v799.  In cases where there are no stocks of fertiliser on hand, it is simply a matter of ticking a box to declare a nil stock return.

Such a declaration must also include those farms and premises that have no stock on hand.

⚠️The final date for submission of Closing Stock of fertiliser on farms and premises is 15 October 2025 .⚠️ It is important that farmers and other Professional Fertiliser End Users declare volume of fertilisers held on farms and premises around the country.

Now is the time to plan for final N fertiliser applications as we build grass for the autumn. Ensure that you stay within your N allowance, Nitrogen fertiliser, applied in August grows 50% more grass than N fertiliser applied in September.

Time for Lime – Check soil tests and apply lime as recommended over the coming weeks. Check out the FAI technical bulleting on Liming Fert-Assoc-Tech-Bulletin-No.-2-Lime.pdf

Consult your soil test results/ nutrient management plan and apply potassium (K) to areas with low soil K levels. Grass and crops on soils with adequate K will be more resilient to drought and respond with better nitrogen uptake and growth.

Over the last number of days rainfall has caused Soil Moisture Deficits (SMD) to decrease which will be a welcome relief. Assume fertiliser applied over the last couple of weeks to be working and resume fertiliser applications where demand exists.

High grass growth rates on farms at present are leading to surpluses being harvested for silage.   1 tonne of grass dry matter/ha requires 4kg/ha of P and 25kg/ha of K and will need to be replaced where surplus grass is baled.

Consult your soil test results/ nutrient management plan and apply potassium (K) to areas with low soil K levels. Grass and crops on soils with adequate K will be more resilient to drought and respond better to nitrogen uptake and growth.

If dry conditions persist, when applying fertilizer for second cut silage consider an initial application of 30-40% of total and apply the balance when rain returns and growth increases.

With current Soil Moisture Deficits (SMD) ranging from 40-50mm, grass growth is becoming restricted and consequently nitrogen uptake will be reduced. Nitrogen applications of 20-30 kg N/ha will meet grass requirements. Credit to @MetEireann for the data

Check soil test results and apply recommended lime to correct soil pH to pH 6.3 to 6.5. For more info see https://t.co/iQOhV73tEd

Identify fields with good soil fertility (pH +6.5, P & K Index 3) for clover over sowing. For more info see https://t.co/09ejniyMH8