Soil analysis reports training gets underway

If you are one of over 500 farmers in the Upper Bann Catchment, who received free soil sampling and analysis reports, co-ordinated by AFBI, as part of the EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid (EAA) Soils Scheme this training is for you.

Daniel Brannigan from Hilltown pictured with Charlie Kilpatrick of AI Services at the recent soil analysis training event in the Downshire Arms, Hilltown.

Soil analysis reports provide valuable information on the nutrient content of your soils and are a useful tool for planning nutrient applications. 

The workshops aim to help farmers who participated in the scheme to understand what their soil analysis means. Planning lime, manure and fertiliser applications to produce high quality grass and forage crops, whilst improving and maintaining soil fertility; saving money on chemical fertilisers; reducing the risk of nutrient loss; and thus improving water quality are all important.

Feedback from farmers within the Open Scheme who have already attended training has been very positive:

“I was surprised when the soil analysis showed big differences in the fertility of my fields.

“I was reminded tonight that pH and lime is critical for soil. Putting on lime means that the slurry and fertiliser is used much better by the plants.

“I need to pay more attention to understanding the fertility of my soil and only putting on the amount of slurry and fertiliser that is needed.”

The workshops have been arranged jointly between CAFRE and AI Services under the Farm Family Key Skills (FFKS) initiative, which is partly funded by the EU under the NIRDP 2014-2020.

Once you receive your invitation please contact AI Services to confirm your attendance. Alternative dates are available, details of which are included in your invitation letter, but must be pre-booked. For further information, contact AI Services on 028 9083 3123.

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