A leading academic has indicated that Ireland may well lose its nitrates derogation, with the issue of water quality being the key sticking point.
Lecturer in land sciences at the South Eastern Technological University (SETU), John Geraghty, gave his opinion on the issue while participating in the 2024 Crops Forum, hosted by Teagasc.
“The European Commission does not see Ireland in the same light that we do. Brussels will simply look at the figures and make a decision based on the facts of the case,” Geraghty said.
According to Geraghty, it could take up to five years for discernible changes in Irish water quality to be detected.
This projection is based on agriculture as a whole committing to implementing all the mitigation measures that have been identified in this context.
Water quality
“There are fundamental steps that tillage farmers can take to reduce the levels of crop nutrient leaching into water courses,” he continued.
“These include the use of foliar fertiliser applications.”
Geraghty also indicated that Irish tillage soils have been significantly damaged in the wake of two very wet planting seasons.
“And this is a priority matter that farmers will have to address,” he said.
Teagasc soil and plant nutrition specialist, Veronica Nyhan, agreed.
Speaking at the Crops Forum, she highlighted the opportunities that are available for tillage farmers to actively assess the structure of their soils at this specific time of the year.
Assessments should be carried out to a depth of 40cm at five points around an individual field. The ‘double spade’ method entails digging a pit that is 45cm deep, 50cm long and 30cm wide.
This allows the farmer to identify soil structure at different depths below the surface while also checking for compaction layers.
According to Nyhan: “All farmers can easily perform this assessment”.
“With the results, the farmer can put a plan in place to improve any deficits. A well-structured soil increases the yield potential of your crop,” she added.
Significantly, Nyhan indicated that mechanical reparation systems did not routinely suit Irish soils.
Water specialist at Teagasc, Cathal Somers, discussed soil drainage in mineral soils. He focused on assessing and remedying wet patches, which have become more and more prevalent in the last two years.
“It is often the simple checks and cheap checks which can make a large difference to remedying wet patches in fields,” he said.
“Firstly, farmers should inspect the field drain outlet and the overall drainage channel to check they are not blocked. Rodding pipes will help to identify immediate blockages,” Somers said.