Agriculture: Soil Management for Crop & Livestock Production

Soil Management

• Good soil management is critical for successful crop and livestock production.
• Soil provides a medium for crop growth, grassland, and good quality winter fodder.

Soil Health and Fertility

• 17 essential elements are crucial for the growth and life cycle of a plant.
• Three key elements are:
  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Phosphorus (P)
  • Potassium (K)

Macronutrients

• Nitrogen (N) is needed for:
  • Sufficient nitrogen supply for plant growth
  • Deficiency symptoms: pale green or yellow leaves, stunted growth, and reduced yields
• Phosphorus (P) is needed for:
  • Plant growth and development
  • Deficiency symptoms: stunted growth, poor root development, and reduced yields
• Potassium (K) is needed for:
  • Plant growth and development
  • Deficiency symptoms: weak stems, yellowing leaves, and reduced yields

Micronutrients

• Iron (Fe)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Copper (Cu)
• Boron (B)
• Molybdenum (Mo)

Nutrient Availability in Soil

• Most nutrients are available between pH 6 and 7
• As soils become increasingly acidic or alkaline, the availability of particular nutrients is reduced
• Soil testing allows farmers to determine the nutrients available in their land and determine how suitable an area is for crop growth

Soil Testing

• Soil auger should be used to collect samples
• Minimum of 20 samples should be taken in a W shape
• Avoid taking samples from areas like gates, water sources, and ditches

Teagasc Soil Index

• Index description: response to fertilizer
• Five categories:
  • 1: Very Low (Definite response)
  • 2: Low (Likely response)
  • 3: Medium (Unlikely/tenuous response)
  • 4: Sufficient/Excess (No response)

Fertilizers and Manures

• Fertilizers: inorganic, manufactured materials that contain one or more essential elements
• Manures: organic materials that consist of plant and animal wastes
• Organic: derived from living organisms
• Inorganic: not derived from living organisms

Fertilizers

• Urea: 46% N
• CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate): 27.5% N
• Sulfate of ammonia: 21% N
• Ground rock phosphate: 12% P
• Superphosphate: 7% P
• Triple superphosphate: 16% P
• Muriate of potash: 50% K
• Sulfate of potash: 42% K

Compound Fertilizers

• N-P-K fertilizers: contain a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
• Examples:
  • 10-10-20 (Grassland, potatoes, cereals)
  • 18-6-12 (Grassland, cereals)
  • 27-2.5-5 (Cereal crops, intense grazing)
  • 24-2.5-10 (Grassland)
  • 7-6-17 (Root crops)

Handling and Storage of Manure

• Store bagged fertilizers at least 10m away from water courses or drains
• Wear a mask when opening and filling spreaders
• Clean up any spills to avoid entry into water courses
• Handle bags carefully to avoid damage
• Store same type of fertilizers together
• Indoor storage: do not store near combustible materials (hay or straw)
• Wear gloves when handling

Fertilizer Application

• Methods:
  • Placing in the soil
  • Broadcasting
  • Top dressing

Farm Yard Manure (FYM)

• Consists of animal dung, animal urine, and straw from winter bedding
• Can be applied to the land
• Releases nutrients as it decomposes
• Contributes to organic matter in soil

Type of Manure

• Cattle Manure:
  • 2.5% N
  • 1.5% P
  • 80% N availability
  • 60% P availability
• FYM:
  • 2.0% N
  • 1.5% P
  • 80% N availability
  • 60% P availability
• Mushroom Compost:
  • 1.5% N
  • 1.5% P
  • 80% N availability
  • 60% P availability

Slurry

• Rich in nutrients (nitrogen to increase crop growth)
• Decreased need for chemical fertilizers
• Helps balance soil fertility levels
• Reduces emissions or decreased volatilization due to decreased conversion to ammonia gas
• Health and safety precautions:
  • Wear protective clothing and gloves
  • Avoid inhaling ammonia gas
  • Avoid skin contact

Soil Drainage

• Factors affecting soil drainage:
  • Soil type
  • Percolation
  • Precipitation
  • Groundwater
• Types of drainage:
  • Groundwater
  • Shallow water

Benefits of Soil Drainage

• Less poaching of land by livestock
• Extended grazing season
• Increased crop yields
• Greater window of opportunity available for tillage operations on well-drained land
• Less reliant on winter fodder

Pollution

• Definition: any harmful addition to the environment
• Examples:
  • Eutrophication
  • Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Conservation

• Spreading Fertilizer and Nitrates regulations
• Good management practices for sustainable land use