BROADCASTS.com

b'Organic manures can supply a badly needed source of carbon to tillage soils according to Mark Plunkett, a Soils and Plant Nutrition Specialist in Teagasc on the latest Tillage Edge podcast. \\n\\nMark told Michael Hennessy that a typical dressing of 20 tonnes per hectare of farm yard manure will supply 300 kg/ha of carbon to the soil. As slurries contain more water their carbon contribution is much lower.\\n\\nMark stressed the biological benefits of organic manures to revitalise soils by improving nutrient cycling and feeding the flora and fauna such as fungus, bacteria, nematodes and earthworms. Where all of these components are functioning correctly, crops tend to be more resilient during periods of stress (wet weather or drought) and can give higher yields. \\n\\nOrganic manures can replace up to 50% of the chemical fertiliser applied to spring crops and are a direct replacement to the chemical fertiliser in most cases. Mark maintained that most slurries can be transported up to 15 kilometres but recommends discussing this with the slurry producer to source the most efficient transport type.\\n\\nFor more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to:\\nhttps://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/\\n\\nAnd don\\u2019t forget to join us for the virtual 2021 National Conference split over two days on Feb 3rd and Feb 17th.\\n\\nRegister in advance at:\\nhttps://www.teagasc.ie/news--events/national-events/events/2021tillageconday1.php'