http___www.teagasc.ie_gaeilge_news_2010_201003-23_g.asp_1.xml
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Sharp Decrease in Fertilizer Usage “National usage of the major nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on grassland and agricultural crops is at its lowest level in decades”, was the message emerging from the latest Fertilizer Use Survey Report published by Teagasc. The survey was conducted by the Teagasc Environment Research Centre in Johnstown Castle in conjunction with the Teagasc National Farm Survey Unit, and it details the fertilizer usage for grassland and a range of tillage crops for the period 2004 to 2008. The survey shows a sharp decrease in fertilizer use by farmers. National usage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium during this period has decreased by 20%, 40% and 37%, respectively. While almost all crops showed decreased fertilizer inputs, the extent of the decrease was more dramatic on grassland than on tillage crops. The improved efficiency of nutrient recovery from animal manures; increasing costs of fertilizers; decreasing product prices and farm income; decreasing livestock numbers; and regulation of nutrient usage; have probably all influenced nutrient usage to varying extents during this period. The overall tendency towards reduced fertilizer inputs may have both positive and negative consequences in the future. While reducing nutrient surpluses in farm systems may be desirable in order to reduce the impact of agriculture on the rural environment, nutrient deficits will eventually compromise soil fertility levels, potentially restricting crop and animal performance. On the impact of the decreased fertilizer usage on the agricultural sector, report author, Stan Lalor, warned that “reducing fertilizer usage is a positive step in reducing costs to farmers, and has the desirable effect of lessening the impact of agriculture on the rural environment. However, nutrient deficits will eventually compromise soil fertility levels and potentially restrict crop and animal performance in the future. It should not be done at the expense of soil fertility and the future production capacity of soils. The decrease in P and K usage is a particular cause of concern. Ensuring that soil fertility levels are sustained and balanced into the future remains a key priority”.
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Laghdú Suntasach ar Úsáid Leasachán ‘Tá úsáid na bpríomh-chothaitheach nitrigín, fosfar, agus potaisaim ar thalamh féaraigh agus ar bharraí talmhaíochta ag an leibhéal is ísle leis na deichbhlianta’ sin an teachtaireacht a tháinig as an tuairisc ar an suirbhé maidir le úsáid leasachán talún arna fhoilsiú ag Teagasc. Ba é an t-Ionad um Taighde Comhshaoil, Teagasc i gCaisleán Sheáin i gcomhar leis an Aonad Náisiúnta um Shuirbhé Feirme a rinne an suirbhé. Sonraítear ann úsáid leasachán talún ar thalamh féaraigh agus réimse na mbarr curaíochta don tréimhse 2004 go 2008. Léiríonn an suirbhé laghdú suntasach ar úsáid leasachán talún ag feirmeoirí. Bhí laghdú 20%,40% agus 37% faoi seach ar an úsáid náisiúnta a bhí á baint as nitrigín, fosfar agus potaisiam rith na tréimhse seo. Cé go raibh laghdú ar úsáid leasachán talún i mbeagnach gach barr, bhí laghdú níos drámatúla úsáid leasachán ar thalamh féaraigh ná ar bharraí curaíochta. Meastar gurbh éard ba chúis leis an laghdú go léibheal éagsúla le linn na tréimhse ná an feabhas ar athshaothrú cothaitheach in aoileach, costas ardaithe na leasachán, an t-ísliú ar phraghsanna na dtáirgí agus ioncam feirme, laghdú ar líon na n-ainmhithe ar an talamh agus rialú um úsáid cothaitheach. D’fhéadfadh an éifeacht ar úsáid laghdaithe leasachán a bheith dearfach agus diúltach amach anseo. Cé gur rud inmholta é barrachas cothaitheach a laghdú i gcóras feirmeoireachta d’fhonn an éifeacht a bhíonn ag talmhaíocht ar an gcomhshaol tuaithe a laghdú, rachaidh easpa cothaitheach i bhfeidhm ar deireadh ar leibhéil thorthúlachta ithreach agus tá an baol ann go gcuirfidh sé srian le fheidhmiúchán ainmhithe agus barr. Thug údar na tuairisce, Stan Lalor rabhadh maidir leis an laghdú ar úsáid leasúchán ‘is céim dearfadh é úsáid leasachán talún a laghdú agus is céim i dtreo costais a laghdú ar fheirmeoirí é sin agus go laghdaíonn sé éifeacht na talmhaíochta ar an gcomhshaol tuaithe, ach ar deireadh cuirfidh an easpa cothaitheach isteach ar leibhéil thorthúlachta na talún agus cuirfidh sé srian ar fheidhmiúchán ainmhithe agus barr sa todhchaí. Níor cheart é a dhéanamh más é an toradh a bheas air ná go laghdófar torthúlacht ithreach agus acmhainn táirgiúlachta ithreacha sa todhchaí. Is údar imní é an laghdú ar úsáid leasachán P agus K. Is tosaíocht leanúnach é léibhéil thorthúlachta mharthanacha agus chothroma a chinntiú don todhchaí’.