No decision made on continuing soil sampling programme
A spokesperson for the department told Agriland that specific funding has not been allocated for a future programme at this stage.
The Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme most recently opened for applications in October 2024. This was phase 3 of the programme.
There were approximately 4,300 applicants approved to participate, according to the department.
Both the sampling and analysis work is currently underway, with this phase due for completion in Q3 of 2025.
It was announced in Budget 2025 that €6m was allocated to the scheme for 2025, with no decision made yet on the continuation of the scheme into 2026.
Building on the success of the pilot programme, phase two of the scheme was opened in October 2023.
There was a total of 7,000 applicants approved to participate in this phase, which was due for completion in Q2 of 2025.
In 2024, the total expenditure on the programme was €6.5m.
The programme provides farmers and their advisors with comprehensive details about the nutrient status, carbon status and indicators of soil health on their farms.
According to the department, these results can be used to target soil management and farming practices to achieve economic and environmental sustainability on farms.
Instead of a payment, each farmer receives the analysis reports with information on nutrients, soil carbon and indications of the presence of harmful bacteria.
Participation is voluntary and has been open to all regions and farming enterprises.
This programme covers the cost of up to 16 individual soil samples for nutrient analysis, soil acidity, organic matter content and one test for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance per farm.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
10 hours ago
- Agriland
No decision made on continuing soil sampling programme
No decision has been made regarding the continuation of the Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has said. A spokesperson for the department told Agriland that specific funding has not been allocated for a future programme at this stage. The Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme most recently opened for applications in October 2024. This was phase 3 of the programme. There were approximately 4,300 applicants approved to participate, according to the department. Both the sampling and analysis work is currently underway, with this phase due for completion in Q3 of 2025. It was announced in Budget 2025 that €6m was allocated to the scheme for 2025, with no decision made yet on the continuation of the scheme into 2026. Building on the success of the pilot programme, phase two of the scheme was opened in October 2023. There was a total of 7,000 applicants approved to participate in this phase, which was due for completion in Q2 of 2025. In 2024, the total expenditure on the programme was €6.5m. The programme provides farmers and their advisors with comprehensive details about the nutrient status, carbon status and indicators of soil health on their farms. According to the department, these results can be used to target soil management and farming practices to achieve economic and environmental sustainability on farms. Instead of a payment, each farmer receives the analysis reports with information on nutrients, soil carbon and indications of the presence of harmful bacteria. Participation is voluntary and has been open to all regions and farming enterprises. This programme covers the cost of up to 16 individual soil samples for nutrient analysis, soil acidity, organic matter content and one test for surveillance of antimicrobial resistance per farm.
Agriland
3 days ago
- Agriland
Farmers in NI reminded to seek vet advice on bluetongue vaccine
Livestock farmers in Northern Ireland (NI) are being urged to seek professional veterinary advice before administering a bluetongue vaccine. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has permitted the voluntary use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines in Northern Ireland, subject to licensing. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agricultural spokesperson, Carla Lockhart said that thankfully, NI remains a bluetongue-free zone. "DAERA is actively conducting surveillance sampling in abattoirs to declare freedom from the disease," Lockhart said. "Officials are also using the Met Office's hazard manager maps, and midge traps are in operation at seven inland and coastal sites across NI." She reiterated that vigilance and strict biosecurity measures are key, especially as the disease threat from infected midges is heightened during the warmer summer months. 'Clinical signs or symptoms of the disease should be reported to a vet or the local divisional veterinary office immediately," Lockhart said. "Incidence of the disease in the UK has predominately affected sheep and cattle, while goats, deer and camelids such as alpacas and lamas are also susceptible species." While the decision to allow the use of BTV-3 vaccines will give flock keepers and herd owners an additional safeguard against the disease, Lockhart said it is important to note that the medicine will not prevent infection or transmission. "Vaccination does have a role in managing disease severity," she said. 'Farm vets and livestock farmers must apply to DAERA for a licence to use a BTV-3 vaccine. The three approved inactivated vaccines are authorised for use throughout the UK and the EU.' She added that the decision to vaccinate is a "personal choice, but I would strongly advise farmers to seek expert advice from their private vet". "Farmers will be responsible for all associated costs, and if applicable, they are responsible for adhering to the necessary trade and export requirements," she said. 'There are a number of factors to be aware of, especially concerning vaccinated animals. "Using vaccines may limit the use of negative serology tests for germinal product certification to some third countries, requiring PCR tests. "Some certificates for third country (non UK or EU) exports are already affected because they require UK BTV-3 freedom. 'While Northern Ireland remains BTV-3 free, vaccinated animals are eligible for slaughter; and breeding sheep and cattle can be sold to the EU for breeding and production. 'The use of vaccination has no impact on the trade or movement of meat and dairy products to the EU. However, complications may arise if NI loses its bluetongue freedom.' The movement of animals from Great Britain to NI remains suspended, Lockhart noted.
Agriland
5 days ago
- Agriland
Ensuring vaccine availability 'vital' as demand 'highly likely' to rise in coming months
Vaccine availability must be prioritised as the autumn season approaches, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA) has said. Vaccination remains one of the most cost-effective methods to reduce disease within herds and offers optimal protection when administered correctly, the association highlighted. 'It not only safeguards the health of individual animals, but also strengthens the resilience of entire herds," ICMSA deputy president Eamon Carroll said. Carroll said that supply chains for certain vaccines had been uncertain and prone to availability "glitches" in recent years. He said that anything that mitigated against farmers maintaining their vaccination programmes to safeguard herd health was to be "rejected", and he advised farmers and veterinarians to contact the Department of Agriculture immediately if they encounter any shortages. 'ICMSA thinks it's highly likely that demand will rise in the coming months, so it is vital that supply is available and accessible to meet this need," Carroll added. "The department needs to be looking at this right now and getting rid of any supply issues that could undermine herd health." The ICMSA also recently advised farmers on bluetongue virus, urging them to be extra vigilant due to an increased risk. The chair of the association's livestock committee, Michael O'Connell said Ireland is currently one of the only countries in the EU that is free from bluetongue. O'Connell said that the Department of Agriculture is "doing everything possible" in relation to the virus. The department is running monitoring programmes across the southeast to ensure that any suspect case or fallen animal with unknown causes is being tested. 'Our colleagues in Northern Ireland have been able to access a vaccine for the most common known strain of the virus, BTV 3 since late July, but it is currently unavailable in the Republic of Ireland," O'Connell said.
