Ireland currently meeting nitrogen reduction target

Ireland has exceeded the nitrogen reduction target set out in Ag Climatise – the Department of Agriculture’s roadmap to climate neutrality.

Department of Agriculture figures obtained by the Irish Farmers Journal show that tonnes of artificial nitrogen sold fell by 14% from 2020/2021 to 343,193t in 2021/2022.

This means that Ireland is currently exceeding its target to reduce nitrogen use to 350,000t of artificial nitrogen by 2025. The overall target is to reduce nitrogen use to 325,000t by 2030 from the base figure of 408,000t in 2018.

High prices

High fertiliser prices no doubt had a big impact on this figure. However, change at farm level also saw farmers cut back on nitrogen. Increased focus on clover use and its promotion in swards through improved measurement and management saw farmers cut nitrogen rates.

The planting of multispecies swards and red clover under Government schemes were also a help, but may have more of an impact on nitrogen reduction next season as the swards were mainly sown from the end of May and June.

Worryingly, sales of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) declined. Phosphorus sales declined by 26%, while potassium sales declined by 24%.

Keeping phosphorus and potassium at optimum levels is essential for efficient nitrogen use, so a cut back here may cause problems down the line.

Teagasc figures from 2021 show that the number of soils at optimum levels for soil pH, P and K has declined from 19% to 16%.

The tonnes of fertiliser purchased for the 2021/2022 season decreased by 307,817t, or 18% from 2020/2021. Total fertiliser sales in 2021/2022 were at 1,377,595t or 471,047t of artificial nutrients.

Nitrogen fertilisers are a source of nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas) and ammonia and can also impact on water quality. The sales figures are from 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022.