In May, as part of its ongoing field-based engagement, NUTRI-CHECK NET visited Crop Nutrition Club (CNC) member Don Somers to explore how precision agriculture tools are being used to enhance nutrient use efficiency in cereal production.
Accompanied by Teagasc advisors John Mahon (environmental, arable) and John Pettit (arable), the visit focused on how Don is applying advanced technologies such as poultry manure analysis through the NUTRI-CHECK platform and the YARA N sensor to optimise nitrogen use on his farm.
🧪 Don emphasised the benefits of combining expert advice with practical tools:
“It’s great to be part of a network where you can test new technologies like the N sensor and share your results with other farmers,” he said. He also encouraged peers to be proactive: “Get your organic manures analysed, it’s worth the investment!”
💡 Fertiliser specialist Mark Plunkett joined the visit to discuss various fertiliser options, including:
- ✅ Protected urea, which reduces ammonia losses
- ✅ UAN liquid fertiliser, offering precision but requiring experienced application
- ✅ Chicken litter, cost-effective when nutrient content is analysed
With nutrient content varying across organic sources, Don uses the N sensor to balance crop performance, adjusting applications based on real-time crop needs. The sensor works with both his spreader and sprayer, allowing flexible use of solid and liquid fertilisers.
This visit highlights how NUTRI-CHECK NET is supporting smarter, more sustainable nutrient management through real-world collaboration between farmers, advisors, and researchers.
🌱 Stay tuned for more CNC stories from the field!
