New soil sampling scheme opens for livestock farmers
Date published:
Livestock farmers in Northern Ireland are being offered the opportunity to increase profitability through free soil sampling and analysis under the EU aid package scheme, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced today.
The EU Exceptional Adjustment Aid Soil Sampling and Analysis Scheme will be delivered by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Online registration for the scheme will be open from today and will close at 12 noon on Monday 19 June 2017.
The soil sampling service will provide participating farmers with detailed information on their soils, such as pH level and nutrient requirements for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). By optimising pH and applying slurry, manure and chemical fertiliser in line with crop need, farmers can maximise crop yields, increase soil fertility and increase farm profitability, while also improving environmental performance.
There will be two components to the scheme:
Component 1 will be aimed at all livestock farmers and will be known as the “Open Scheme”
Component 2 will be targeted at farmers within parts of the Upper Bann catchment and will be known as the “Catchment Scheme”.
To be eligible for the scheme:
- You must have a DAERA Farm Business ID number
- You must be a livestock farmer registered in Northern Ireland
- You must provide the mandatory information required on the registration form
To apply, or request further details on the scheme, please visit the AFBI website.
Notes to editors:
- Livestock farmers are defined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1613 in the beef and veal, milk and milk products, pigmeat and sheepmeat and goatmeat sectors.
- The Guidance and registration documents can be found on the AFBI website.
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