Maintenance of Soil Organic Matter

Transcription

1 Maintenance of Soil Organic Matter Dr Al Grogan Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food GAEC Workshop Rome 2010

2 Maintenance of Soil Organic Matter While Soil Organic Matter levels in Ireland are considered to be sufficient to sustain soils and maintain yields there remains a requirement under the cross compliance Single Payment requirements to have procedures in place to ensure its maintenance. This is particularly important in circumstances where OM may be declining to critical levels which may cause soils to become vulnerable. To this end, the following are the procedures in place to ensure that Soil Organic Matter levels are maintained at adequate levels throughout the country

3 Maintenance of Soil Organic Matter SOM declines as rainfall decreases SOM declines as temperature increases Archive/octop/OCtopMapBkLet76.pdf

4 Maintenance of Soil Organic Matter Maintaining Soil Organic Matter levels is important in the context of : Soil Protection with respect to erosion and compaction (threats to soil) Soil structure, fertility and general sustainability GAEC requirements under cross compliance

5 What is the best approach Considerations: to maintain OM levels The seriousness of the problem The remedial options available The efficacy of the possible remedial actions The acceptability and cost to the farmer

6 What is the best approach to maintain OM levels Considerations: Should maintenance actions be: Mandatory by default based on farming practice i.e. continuous arable Mandatory based on OM test results Conditioned by FAS advice in the particular circumstances of the soil conditions and cropping

7 Background Rock and soil type Conditions for the maintenance of OM are variable particularly so if rainfall also included

8 Crop Distribution also a consideration Distribution of crop Type on Land Farmed % Grass Cereals Other Crops Crop Grass being one of the better remedial actions to improve OM levels

9 System adopted to maintain Soil Organic Matter in Ireland Continuous arable is the only land which may be at risk of declining SOM levels Approach taken to maintain SOM levels: 1. Sample continuous arable land (>6 years) every 10 years for Soil Organic Matter One sample per 4Ha or up to 8HA where farming conditions are similar 2. Where the Soil Organic Matter levels are below 3.4% (2% Organic Carbon) then request specialist advice from a FAS approved advisor. 3. Apply any remedial action where recommended by the FAS advisor

10 Soil Organic Matter Documentation to be compiled and retained by the farmer 1. Retain Records on all soil organic matter tests for land under continuous tilling 2. Maintain the Soil Organic Matter Report for plots in continuous arable showing: Parcel ID OM Level from sample Date sampled If remedial action required Remedial action if any Certification by a FAS advisor on appropriate action where OM levels <3.4% Annual update of OM report

11 Soil Organic Matter Why the 3.4% threshold to determine if Remedial Action required There is no single best value for OM below which remedial action is essential as soil characteristics such as fertility, structure and general suitability to produce sustainable yields are conditioned many factors including: Rainfall Soil type Temperature Cropping pattern In the circumstance experienced in Ireland, it was deemed appropriate to set a threshold at which FAS advice should in the first instance be sought. Ireland adopted the threshold recommended by the JRC in a 2003 document on Organic Carbon in Top Soils of Europe where it was proposed that soils with an Organic Carbon < 2% (Organic Matter < 3.4%) should be critically examined.

12 Farmer Requirement The Farmer must: Identify all parcels in continuous arable Arrange for OM testing of such parcels every 10 Years Where OM < 3.4% seek FAS advice Apply any necessary remedial action Maintain the GAEC OM record

13 Some Possible Remedial Actions Recycle all crop residue Introduce min-till techniques Apply farm yard manures or other such organic matter Change the crop rotation by introducing grass into the cycle Return the land to pasture

14 Inspection Process The Farmer must: Provide completed documentation The inspection service will: Inspect all documentation and be satisfied with any FAS recommendations where applicable Conduct a sample of OM checks to verify records based on database check of cropping pattern

15 Soil Organic Matter Report to be maintained for land under Continuous Arable Cross Compliance-FAS Organic Matter Report for land under Continuous Tillage Applicant Name Soil Organic Matter Analysis Parcel ID % Organic Matter Date of analysis If Remedial action Required (Y/N) Herd No Analytical Laboratory GAEC OM Page 1 of 2 DETAIL OF ANY REMEDIAL ACTION TO BE UNDERTAKEN WHERE NECESSARY Sample Year Direct Payment Applicant XY WXYZ & Co 10 Apply an appropriate Remedial action programme as recommended by your Cross Compliance FAS Advisor % 1/9/10 YES Such as incorporation of straw or returning the land to grass Confirmation that annual remedial action has been completed where required Parcel ID % Organic D a t e of Matter analysi s Remedial action Required (Y/ N) % 1/9/10 NO Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Y ear y/n Year y/n Year y/n Depending on the circumstanced such as soil type your Cross Compliance FAS Advisor may recommend no remedial action and will detail here the reasons why Confirmation that annual remedial action has been completed where required Parcel ID % Organic D a t e of Matter analysi s Remedial action Required (Y/ N) Year y/n Y ear y/n Y ear y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Y ear y/n Year y/n Year y/n Confirmation that annual remedial action has been completed where required Parcel ID % Organic D a t e of Matter analysi s Remedial action Required (Y/ N) Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Confirmation that annual remedial action has been completed where required Certification by FAS advisor and Applicant I certify that soil sampling was conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in the SI No. 101 of 2009 and that the analysis was conducted in an approved laboratory. Signed : CC-FAS AGENCY Code: Date: Approved Cross Compliance - FAS advisor I certify that that I will undertake any remedial actions outlined above. Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Year y/n Y ear y/n Y ear y/n Year y/n Note : The applicant must arrange for the soil sampling to be conducted in accordance with the requirements of SI No. 101 of Where a plot is found to be below 3.4% soil organic matter, an organic matter report must be completed by the applicant in c Signed : Single Payment Applicant Date:

16 Adequate OM levels will help to reduce the occurrence of such conditions as:

17 Thanks for your attention