There is one day left for farmers to declare closing stocks of fertiliser ahead of the deadline tomorrow (Thursday, October 15).

It is a legal requirement that all professional fertiliser users, including farmers, submit an annual closing stock declaration to the National Fertiliser Database (NFD).

A 'nil' declaration must also be made where no fertiliser stock is on hand.

Closing stocks are classified as any fertiliser on hand as at 11:59p.m (i.e. one minute before midnight) on September 14 each year.

The online facility for declaring closing stocks for 2026 opened on September 15 and declarations must be made by October 15.

Farms and premises that have no stocks of fertiliser on hand must still make a nil declaration. This is in line with previous communication on the closing date.

The Department said the system for declaring fertiliser closing stocks is "quick and easy".

A step-by-step guide is available on the department's National Fertiliser Database webpage.

Declaration of closing stocks can be done by farmers, or their agents, by logging on to the MyAgFood portal.

Farmers and other fertiliser users are encouraged to check their fertiliser transaction records on MyAgFood and ensure that the information recorded in respect of their farms is accurate and up to date.

Details of sales on the National Fertiliser Database are recorded by fertiliser merchants (fertiliser economic operators) and it is the responsibility of these operators to ensure the accuracy of data on the NFD in respect of their customers.

Farmers who have queries regarding purchases of fertilisers should raise concerns with their merchant directly in the first instance.

Where a farmer does have remaining fertiliser at the end of the year, the closing stock declaration should include the type of fertiliser and the quantities of each being held.

Fertiliser scheme

The National Fertiliser Database will be used to determine payments to farmers under the new fertiliser scheme that was announced yesterday (Tuesday, October 13).

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon confirmed a €46.2 million funding package to support farmers facing fertiliser cost spikes caused by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The scheme will see a payment rate of €40/t.

The funding combines Ireland’s €15.38 million allocation from the EU Fertiliser Exceptional Aid package with the maximum allowable national top-up of 200%, or €30.8 million.