Fertiliser use warrants probe

Teagasc has revealed indications that farmers are turning their backs on fertiliser usage.

It seems incredible that a trend to apply less fertiliser has intensified this year, when more grass than ever is needed to avert another winter fodder crisis.

Nevertheless, Teagasc says nitrogen sales in the first half of the 2013 fertiliser year are down 16%, phosphorous sales are down 21%, and potassium sales are down 23%, compared to the corresponding period in 2012.