98,000 farmers to get regular text alerts from Agriculture Department

Some 98,000 farmers have received a text message on their mobile phones in the past 24 hours informing them of their Nitrogen and Phosphorus (N&P) limits.

These same farmers’ pockets will vibrate throughout this year when the Department of Agriculture wants to notify them of farm schemes or advise them on something.

These 98,000 farmers make up almost 75% of Ireland’s 136,000 active farmers. Around half of these have signed up themselves, the other half via an agency such as their chosen farmer group or local co-op.

N&P statements for Jan 1 to Jul 31 are now available online by registering on www.agfood.ie. These N&P statements are a valuable tool, notably for intensive farmers, and should help them assess any need to change practices before the end of the year to stay within regulatory limits.

Farmers not yet registered can log onto www.agfood.ie and click the ‘Register’ button. For text alerts, log onto agriculture. gov.ie/mobileupdates or contact the regional office.