Farmers urged to act now as fragile soils threaten spring growth

Manage tyre pressure and axle loads when carrying out field operations.

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being warned that decisions made in the coming weeks could have lasting consequences for crop yields, grazing performance, and long-term soil health—after one of the wettest winters in recent memory left land in a vulnerable state.

According to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, many soils are entering spring “fragile” and at risk of damage, despite a recent improvement in weather offering a narrow window for fieldwork to resume.

CAFRE Adviser Jonathan Brown said the temptation to push ahead with slurry spreading and fertiliser application must be balanced against the risk of long-term soil compaction.

Hidden damage with lasting consequences

Jonathan Brown, CAFRE Beef and Sheep Adviser.

Heavy clay and clay loam soils—common across Northern Ireland—are particularly at risk. When worked in marginal conditions, they are slow to recover and prone to structural damage that can linger for years.

Compaction reduces the air spaces within soil, limiting oxygen for roots and slowing water movement. The knock-on effects are immediate and far-reaching:

• Reduced grass growth and poorer nitrogen uptake

• Delayed livestock turnout due to slower drying ground

• Increased runoff and nutrient loss

• Decline in soil biology and long-term resilience

• Greater risk of poaching and reduced grazing efficiency

Research from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board suggests compacted soils can cut yields by between 14% and 22%—a significant hit for farms relying on tight grazing systems and early-season growth.

Timing and technique key as spring work begins

With many fields still at or near field capacity after prolonged rainfall, CAFRE is urging farmers to proceed with caution.

Shallow surface damage from winter feeding and late grazing is already visible in some areas, increasing the risk of further harm if machinery is used too soon.

Farmers are advised to:

• Prioritise drier, free-draining fields

• Avoid repeated passes over the same ground

• Delay work where possible to allow soils to recover

• Use the same tramlines where multiple passes are unavoidable

Even a short delay in improving weather conditions could prevent damage that would otherwise persist for years.

Practical steps to reduce soil damage

Where ground conditions remain borderline, CAFRE recommends adapting machinery and application methods to reduce pressure on soils. Options include:

• Using umbilical slurry systems to limit axle loads

• Reducing tanker weights

• Targeting slurry on silage ground first

• Splitting nitrogen applications to reduce single-pass impact

Prevention, advisers stress, is far more effective—and economical—than attempting to fix compaction later, particularly on heavy soils where subsoiling is often ineffective unless conditions are ideal.

Tyre pressure: a simple fix with big impact

One of the most immediate ways to reduce soil damage lies in tyre management.

Soil stress is influenced by both axle load and tyre inflation pressure. While modern machinery is heavier, advances in tyre technology offer opportunities to minimise impact—if used correctly.

Farmers are encouraged to:

• Check manufacturer guidance on load and pressure

• Adjust tyre pressure before entering fields

• Ensure loads remain within safe limits at lower pressures

Entering a soft field with tyres inflated to road levels (35–40 psi) can cause severe rutting and structural damage. Reducing pressure to around 18–22 psi spreads the load, increasing the tyre footprint and significantly lowering compaction risk.

However, pressures must remain within safe operating limits to avoid tyre failure.

New tyre technology offers long-term gains

Very High Flexion (VF) tyres are increasingly being adopted across Northern Ireland farms. Designed to operate safely at lower pressures while carrying heavy loads, they offer a practical solution for early spring work—particularly for contractors and larger operations.

They are especially beneficial where:

• Fieldwork is carried out early in the season

• Axle loads exceed six tonnes

• Drainage is less than ideal

While the upfront cost is higher, CAFRE advises that the long-term gains in soil health, productivity, and efficiency can outweigh the investment.

A critical window for farmers

With spring now underway, CAFRE is clear: protecting soil structure is not just an environmental concern—it is fundamental to farm profitability.

The condition of soils over the coming weeks will directly influence grass growth, nutrient efficiency, and overall system performance for the rest of the year.

For further guidance, farmers can visit the CAFRE website or contact their local adviser.

---

At a glance

• Northern Ireland soils are in a fragile state after a wet winter

• CAFRE warns of significant compaction risks as spring work begins

• Compacted soils can reduce yields by 14% to 22%

• Key impacts include poorer grass growth, delayed turnout, and nutrient loss

• Farmers urged to prioritise drier fields and avoid repeated machinery passes

• Adjusting tyre pressure is one of the most effective ways to reduce damage

• Lowering tyre pressure increases footprint and reduces soil stress

• VF tyres offer improved performance at lower pressures for heavy loads

• Decisions made this spring will affect productivity for the rest of the season