'NI fertilizer shortage', 'Rising fertilizer prices' - just two of the many headlines that have appeared recently in the local farming press.

Anyone who has bought chemical fertilizer recently knows only too well the reality of the headlines - the cost of fertilizer has increased by over £100/tonne. Phosphate prices have trebled over the past 12 months with the price of Potash following a similar trend.

Edward Carson and his son James farm 325 hectares at Tyrella on the outskirts of Downpatrick.

They run a mixed pig, beef, sheep and cereal farm. Edward is fully aware of the rising price of fertilizer and the impact this will have on his business.

He is in the fortunate position of not having to buy in any Phosphate and the amount of bagged Nitrogen and Potash his farm needs is greatly reduced.

Why? Because he uses pig slurry.

The Carsons apply the first dressing of pig slurry to the silage area in mid February/early March to encourage grass growth.

After the silage is cut, pig slurry is used again along with straight Nitrogen (and Potash, if required). Clover based grazing swards, grazed by sheep and cattle, also receive light, regular dressings of pig slurry.

On the Carson farm the amount of straight Nitrogen used on land receiving pig slurry has been halved.

This, in addition to the fact that no Phosphate has been bought for the past six years, has greatly reduced the fertilizer bill.

Soil analysis is also seen as a very important tool on the Carson farm. Edward regularly carries out soil analysis and is a firm believer in knowing the nutrient status of the soil.

Edward and James grow both spring and winter cereals and have regularly used pig slurry on arable land. It is mainly used in the spring, generally before the crop is sown.

On occasions, it has been spread after sowing, provided the weather and ground conditions were suitable. As a result of using pig slurry the amount of bagged fertilizer used on arable land has also been reduced.

On the Carson farm pig slurry makes a very valuable contribution to the beef, sheep and arable enterprises.

Edward believes the secret to using pig slurry is to apply light dressings each year over as much of the farm as possible. This will ensure all the land benefits from the nutrients in the slurry. Edward is so convinced of the benefits of pig slurry he says that he would still use it even if he did not own any pigs!

If you would like more information on the value of pig slurry for growing both grass and cereals contact your local cereal or beef and sheep development adviser.