Farmers’ use of fertilisers hits its lowest level in decades

THE usage by farmers of the major nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on grassland and agricultural crops is at its lowest level in decades.

The report of the latest Fertiliser Use Survey carried out by Teagasc details the fertiliser usage for grassland and a range of tillage crops for the period 2004 to 2008.

Conducted by the Environment Research Centre in Johnstown Castle in conjunction with the National Farm Survey, the study found that the usage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium during this period had decreased by 20%, 40% and 37%, respectively.