Colour-coded and digitised maps streamline fertiliser application
“EVERY farmer should have one” was the advice of Teagasc specialist, Grass 10 manager, John Maher and it may be that colour coded digitised maps will become an essential guide to fertiliser application on farms.
The maps showing the state of fertility in each field at a glance, by clearly defined colour coding, are now available to farmers who have soil testing carried out, and the benefits are already being praised.
“The map can be laminated and hung in the parlour and when a contractor comes to apply fertiliser, hand it to him and it will show him exactly where to go and the application required,” he added, explaining the latest advance in technology to farmers at the Grass 10 Farm Walk on Philip Ruttle’s farm near Rathkeale.
He explained that based on stocking rate on the farm in conjunction with soil sampling results the findings can be translated on to a map for the farm to be used as a plan for the correct application.
Converting from a traditional drystock farm the soil fertility was not in a good state “because stock levels were low and I probably didn’t realise the situation was as bad as it was until the print out and the map is a great benefit,” said Philip Ruttle.
“Where the soil nutrient level is not right the grass will run out of kick and will not recover after grazing. It is alright when the weather is nice and easy, fine and sunny, but when the weather is against you and your back is to the wall, that is when you are going to benefit from the correct nutrient level,” said John Maher.
Four colours are used in compiling each map. Darkest is for Soil Index 4, high level of nutrient and a slightly lighter dark colour is for Index 3 indicating a “satisfactory” level. Index 2 is“low” and is identified by a light colour and the almost white coloured fields are Index 1 “very low”.