| Code of Good Practice for the Environment and Quality Food Production
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N Fertilisers
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Aim
to have all N fertiliser applied by
early to mid-September. |
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Use only the Teagasc recommended levels of N which take account of the availability of soil N. |
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Avoid N fertiliser application during extended drought periods. |
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Maintain a balance of nutrients in the soil. A deficiency of other nutrients can increase the potential for nitrate leaching. |
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All Fertilisers |
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Match fertiliser application to yield expectations making due allowance for animal manure applied. |
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When applying inorganic fertiliser avoid direct contamination of water courses by leaving a buffer zone of 1.5
metres. |
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Avoid fertiliser spreading on or near hedgerows. |
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Do not apply fertiliser when heavy rain is forecast. |
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Do not apply fertiliser when soils are saturated. |
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Do not apply fertiliser when soils are frozen or snow covered. |
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Maintain spreading equipment in prime condition and calibrate equipment for even application. |
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Soil Cover |
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Wherever possible, avoid leaving soil bare over the winter. The growing of winter crops or catch crops reduces nitrate leaching. |
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Appendix. |
N = Nitrogen P = Phosphorus K = Potassium
Make sure that you understand the precise nature of the recommendation. Kilograms per hectare (kg/ha) are different from units per acre.
1 unit per acre = 1.23 kg/ha.
100 units per acre = 123 kg/ha |
| Examples |
| 1
bag of 27.5%N |
= |
27.5 units N |
= |
13.7 kg N. |
| 1
bag of 18-6-12 |
= |
18.0 units N |
= |
9.0 kg N. |
| P |
= |
6.0 units P |
= |
3.0 kg P. |
| K |
= |
12.0 units K |
= |
6.0 kg K. |
| 1 hectare (ha) |
= |
2.47 acres |
| 1 part per million
(ppm) |
= |
1 milligram per litre (1
mg/l). |
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