Nutrient calculator is useful ready reckoner in the field
This field ready reckoner consists of an easy-to-use wheel that shows the estimated off-take of phosphorus and potassium based on simple input values of stocking rate, concentrate feed usage and crop yield.
It includes useful field notes on soil test results and fertility levels, organic manures, lime, sulphur and magnesium.
Mark Plunkett, soil and crop nutrition specialist with Teagasc, said, “The nutrient off-take calculations used in the calculator are in line with Teagasc advice.
“Crop yields and quality will be reduced where soil fertility is allowed to decrease to sub-optimal levels over time.
“Soil fertility levels have been shown to be declining in recent years from results of soil samples being analysed through Teagasc.
“Replacing nutrients removed in crops is essential to maintaining and managing soil fertility.
“This easy-to-use nutrient wheel will provide quick and simple nutrient recommendations and will be useful for anybody giving advice on nutrient inputs for grassland and crop production.”
Jerry McHoul, K+S UK & Eire Ltd., said that a similar calculator wheel for arable crops was launched in 2011 in the UK and has proven highly popular and successful.
The calculator is available to advisors, consultants and industry representatives, and to farmers on request at participating agri-businesses.
