Reducing emissions from nitrogen fertiliser

With fertiliser prices increasing again, what can you do on your farm to reduce your mineral fertiliser need, get the most out of the fertiliser you apply and reduce emissions from nitrogen fertiliser while sustaining or increasing yields on farm?

On a recent episode of the Signpost Series, host Cian Condon, KT Outreach & Innovation Specialist, Teagasc was joined by Dr. Patrick Forrestal, Teagasc to discuss Reducing Emissions from Nitrogen Fertiliser while Sustaining or Improving Production.

Watch a recording of the webinar below:

In his presentation summary, Dr Forrestal noted:

• Applying lime will bring a lot of benefits, particularly in a high fertiliser cost year. Boost clover with lime, reducing N₂O
• Take advantage of LESS systems to retain as much of that nitrogen that you already have on the farm to grow silage and other crops.
• Optimise phosphorus, potassium and sulphur (S) applications for your system
• Solid urea N products protected with NBPT, NBPT+NPPT or 2-NPT will protect against ammonia loss while reducing N₂O emissions.
• Liquid N formulations showing low ammonia loss while reducing N₂O
• Potential for nitrification inhibitors to reduce fertiliser emissions close to background levels.
• A broadening range of products have potential to reduce N₂O emissions.

A questions and answers session took place at the end of the presentation, which was facilitated by Mark Plunkett, Teagasc Signpost Programme.