Many farmers attending a recent farm walk in Co. Wicklow were surprised to hear that their soil sample results may be out of date and new soil samples may have to be taken.

The point was highlighted by Grassland Agro's Edward Healy who gave a presentation on soil health and fertility along with his colleague Sophie Tyner.

Healy reminded farmers that "any soil samples taken before September 14, 2021 are now out of date" and said that these areas of ground will need to be soil sampled again.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's (DAFM's) Nitrates Explanatory Handbook for Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022, soil samples must be taken as per the regulations with one sample valid for every 4ha. These soil samples are valid for four years.

All farmers participating in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) are required to have soil samples,

As well as this, from January 1, 2023, all farmers above a grassland stocking rate of 130 kg N/ha must take soil samples and all arable land sown must also take soil samples. Where soil samples are not taken, Index 4 for Phosphorus (P) will be assumed.

Soil samples taken on or before September 14 of each year are relevant for that particular year and the three consecutive years after that.

Farmers should check the dates of their soil samples to ensure they are still valid.

The farm walk took place on Tuesday, January 14, on the farm of Brian Doran from Co. Wicklow.

The host farmer is a suckler, tillage and dairy calf to beef farmer. The event was hosted by Teagasc with presentations from ABP Food Group and Grassland Agro also on the day.

There was a focus on animal nutrition, GPS fertiliser spreading, Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS), soil health and the processor led-sustainability initiative, the Advantage Beef Programme of which the host farm is involved in.