Farmers Information Events – Test Your Soil and Save Money!

The Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership is looking for farmers in the area who are hoping to become more efficient and save money.

Two workshops will be held to provide information on soil testing and how the results could help you save money on fertiliser costs and improve the quality of your soil.

On Tuesday 19 January, Grainne McCarney from the College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) will talk through the Farm Nutrient Management Process and then on Tuesday 9 February she will provide a talk on Computerised Nutrient Management Planning. Both workshops will be held in Crossmaglen Community Centre beginning at 7.30pm.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane, said, “Nutrient management can help farmers save money and reduce pollution. You can make best use of manure, sewage sludge, compost, crop rotation and precision farming through nutrient management planning. It helps you match nutrients to specific fields on your farm by analysing the nutrient content of soil in your fields every three or four years. These workshops will help local farmers to work out the number of nutrients to give your crops to match local field conditions.”

Farm Nutrient Management Planning will advise farmers on how to carry out soil sampling and interpret soil analysis, understand the value of fertiliser and manures, establish the crop requirement for Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash of crops and make participants aware of regulations on Nitrates. Computerised Nutrient Management Planning will help farmers to improve soil fertility, make best use of livestock manures, reduce fertiliser costs and become familiar with the computer program.

These events are open to everyone and admission is free. To reserve your place, register with the Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme on 028 308 61949 or by emailing info@ringofgullion.org.

Follow the Ring of Gullion on Facebook to keep up to date on what’s happening or visit our website on www.ringofgullion.org for a full list of talks and dates. The Ring of Gullion has moved to new offices in Crossmaglen Community Centre, O'Fiaich Square, Crossmaglen, BT35 9AA. Telephone 028 3082 8590

These events are supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership and the Heritage Lottery Fund.