Minister McConalogue has launched the Pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme. The sampling is designed to gather baseline information to inform agricultural policy and advisory services and will focus on the following:
- Macro- and micronutrients for agronomic advice and water quality risk assessment.
- Soil carbon(C) relating primarily to improving climate objectives and soil health.
- Farm-level E. coli assessment
The pilot is open to farmers who applied for the BPS in 2021 with applications accepted on a first come first served basis until the programme is fully subscribed. Each sample is taken over a maximum of 4 hectares and is limited to a maximum of 64 hectares on each farm (equivalent of 16 samples). Farmers must provide the samplers with access to fields, but there is no remuneration. However, participants will be provided with results for their respective farm. Read the full terms and conditions by clicking on the link below.
