TEAGASC in their latest advisory publication have strongly urged farmers to switch to protected urea for the coming year saying that such a move will be an important step in reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions [GHGs].

According to Teagasc Soil Specialist, Mark Plunkett, choosing a sustainable nitrogen fertiliser [protected urea] is a key part of emissions reductions for the agricultural sector

In the latest edition of the Teagasc Today’s Farm magazine, he points out that nitrates based fertilisers such as CAN [calcium ammonium nitrate], Cut Sward and Pasture Sward produce one of the most powerful Greenhouse Gases.

That gas – Nitrous Oxide [N2O) – accounts for 20% of GHG emissions from agriculture, and according to Mark Plunkett, it lasts in the atmosphere for over 100-years as compared to a 12-year cycle for methane.

He also points out that one kilogram of nitrous oxide has a global warming potential 300 times greater than one kilogram of Carbon Dioxide CO2.

“By trapping the earth’s heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide, lead to warmer temperatures, which in turn accelerates the rate of climate change.

“The consequences are rising sea-levels, heat related deaths, more extreme weather events such as drier summers and wetter winters, and the enhanced survival of pests and diseases,” states Mark Plunkett.

He also points out that protected urea technology has been proven to be the most effective tool to reduce GHGs and ammonia emission while retaining more nitrogen [N] to grow grass during the growing season.

“In recent years, the uptake of protected urea has increased to 27% of the N market [Ireland] in 2024 . . . showing how the industry is transitioning to a more sustainable source of nitrogen to reduce the carbon footprint of productive grassland systems,” Mark Plunkett states.

For the first time since protected urea started to be used in Ireland [c. 2019], last year, 2024, was the first where a greater tonnage [50,000+] of it was used as compared to ordinary urea [40,000+].

NBPT protected urea greatly limits the release of nitrogen containing gases following application and is described as being an ‘enhanced efficiency fertiliser’.

In another Teagasc trial undertaken by researchers Áine Murray, Brian McCarthy and Patrick Forrestal, they concluded that while 2024 was a difficult grass growing year in Ireland [due to weather/ground conditions], they found ‘no difference between CAN and protected urea in terms of grass growth.

However, they did point out ‘that there were issues’ with the spreading of protected urea in 2024 which needed to be resolved. “A focus on the physical characteristics of fertiliser and spreader calibration will be needed in the coming year,” the Teagasc researchers concluded.

Pictured: Teagasc Soil Specialist, Mark Plunkett