Vegetable growers get to the root of nutrition
Vegetable growers attending a recent meeting organised by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) heard about the importance of soil nutrition for maximising yields and crop profitability.
Richard Cogman from British Sugar described LimeX, which is a by product of the sugar beet processing industry, to be the ultimate performer to correct soil acidity and maintain target pH. Lime quality is a factor of neutralising value (NV) and reactivity (particle size).
Richard said: "Particles coarser than 1.3mm are of practically no liming value. Particles finer than 0.25mm are most effective in neutralising soil acidity. LimeX particles are significantly finer than 0.25mm, making it both fast acting, but long lasting with at least 85% passing 0.15mm which contributes to rapid pH correction. Managing the correct pH reduces the risk of nutrient deficiency caused by acid soil conditions that will lead to consequential yield loss."
Richard outlined results of trials carried out to reduce clubroot severity to varying degrees. The most effective treatments - when applied correctly - contained calcium, e.g. lime as calcium oxide or LimeX, a precipitate of calcium carbonate. Whilst the effects of calcium and pH on clubroot are not new, growers need to think more in terms of dose of calcium applied in the field rather than just pH, and also, the timing of addition of lime to soil before planting needs serious consideration as it may be optimal to apply and incorporate lime less than two weeks before transplanting.
Kieran Lavelle from CAFRE gave an update on the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2014-2020 and the implications of the Sustainable Use Directive for edible crop growers.
On the 26 November 2015, it will become a legal requirement for everyone applying plant protection products (PPP) authorised for professional use to have a City & Guilds / NPTC Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use of Pesticides for Farmers and Growers. It will be an offence to purchasePPPs authorised for professional use if the intended end user does not have a certificate.
More than 150 Fermanagh and Tyrone dairy farmers attended a CAFRE advisory event to learn how to ensure more efficient milk production, breeding for high cow fertility and producing and utilising quality grass.
Supported by the National Milk Records (NMR) the event was hosted at Robin Clement’s farm at Keenogue Road, Trillick. Robin and his family converted from beef to dairying in 2011 and now milk 125 autumn calving cows.
CAFRE’s Jason McFerran spoke to the farmers about technical efficiency and cash flow with John Graham, NMR, covering the monitoring and management of herd fertility.
The host Robin Clements and Dairylink adviser Conail Keown talked about the performance of the dairy herd. Robin explained is dairy system, the practical steps he has taken this year due to difficult weather and ground conditions and how he is using a cash flow to monitor and manage the business on a monthly basis.
The dairy farmers greatly appreciated the opportunity to discuss the current issues facing them as well as enjoying the social aspect of the evening and the mutual support of one another.
Large dairy farmer turnout at Co Tyrone CAFRE Farm Walk