Farming in the heart of the Golden Vale, Edwin Thompson and his family milk 160 cows on 86 ha near Golden, Co. Tipperary. Liam Quinn, Teagasc Signpost Programme Adviser, explores how Edwin’s focus on clover, soil fertility, and smart nutrient management is cutting emissions and boosting productivity
Edwin is a Teagasc/Tipperary Co-Op Signpost farmer and received an award at the Teagasc FBD Sustainability Awards in October 2024 for reducing greenhouse gases on his farm. There is a strong focus on establishing clover on the farm. Confirming the success of clover is a quantifiable improvement in soil fertility.
Optimal soil fertility on Edwin’s farm has improved from 42% in 2021 to 75% in 2024. This has been achieved by soil sampling the farm each year and following the recommendations of a Nutrient Management Plan. Any fields low in pH, phosphorus (P), or potassium (K) have been targeted first with lime. The farm received 20 tonnes of lime in 2021, 40 tonnes in 2022, and 120 tonnes in 2023. Edwin says, “We are aiming for a pH of 6.5 to 6.8 with the clover.” Fields with soil P/K index 1 and 2 are prioritised with cattle slurry and balanced with low-emitting fertiliser compounds such as 18-6-12 and 10-10-20.
Timing of application is critically important, so the milking platform received a round of slurry at 2,500 gallons per acre in February or early March, followed by an application in April of one and a half to two bags of 18-6-12.
“We target getting K out at the end of the year in August or September, in the form of 0-0-50. It is amazing how much impact one bag per acre can have where potassium is low,” Edwin says.
The use of the Fertiliser/Slurry tab on PastureBase is a key tool used on the farm since joining the Signpost programme. “This is a great support in gauging exactly where we got the best response from what was applied, and also in ensuring paddocks that are high in clover receive that lower level of chemical nitrogen but maintain grass growth.”
When asked about advice for any farmer at the start of trying to improve their sustainability, Edwin says: “First of all, you’ve got to get your soil fertility right, do your soil analysis, and fix what’s needed.
“The improvement in soil fertility has really been concentrated on the milking platform. Going forward, we will be looking to drive that on our silage ground.”
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