To comply with the Farming Rules for Water, farmers must demonstrate responsible use of manures and fertilizers, even if they are outside Nitrogen Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). This involves considering soil analysis and crop needs before application.
Farmers can create fertilization plans using RB209 guidelines, computer programs like Planet, or by seeking advice from FACTS-qualified advisers. ESUS Agri offers annual plans for farmers in all areas, helping them save on fertilizers by targeting slurry use during the main growing season. This strategy is particularly beneficial during periods of high fertilizer prices, like last year.
What’s Needed in a Nutrient Management Plan?
The first step is to ensure you have up-to-date soil analysis for your fields. Each field, or groups of small fields with similar soil types and management practices, should be tested every five years. As part of the Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI), measuring the organic matter content of the soil is mandatory to qualify for the Sustainable Agriculture Measurement 1 (SAM1) payment. All fields must be tested by the end of the three-year agreement.
Our independent FACTS-qualified farm consultants can assist you. They provide sample boxes and guidance on collecting soil samples, with charges only for laboratory analysis. Alternatively, your agronomist or fertilizer supplier can conduct the soil testing, ensuring organic matter content is included in the results.
We gather detailed information about each field, including size, soil type, previous soil analysis, and NVZ status. We also note the crops, fertilizers, and manure applied in the previous season. Next, we review the planned cropping for the upcoming year and calculate the crop nutrient requirements before applying any manure.
We determine the amount of slurry and farmyard manure expected to be collected over the next season and identify the most cost-effective fields for manure application. This approach aims to minimize fertilizer costs while adhering to regulations. We provide detailed recommendations for manure application on each field, specifying the type and timing. Finally, we calculate the appropriate fertilizer application to balance the crop nutrient requirements.
Nutrient Management Planning with ESUS Agri
NMP Sounds Complicated!
Don’t worry, we’ve simplified everything into an easy-to-use plan. This plan outlines which fields should receive manure and fertilizers throughout the upcoming season, detailing the quantities and timings. You can rest assured that your crops will receive the necessary nutrients, and as long as you adhere to the plan, you’ll comply with all regulations.
However, the weather can sometimes disrupt the best-laid plans. If you’re unable to apply manure as scheduled or need to adjust the application locations, a simple phone call to us can provide guidance on whether your proposed actions would violate any regulations and suggest modifications to your fertilization plans accordingly.
Record Keeping for NMP
It’s essential to maintain detailed records of your crop cultivation, including the types of fertilizers and manure applied each year. We advise farmers to utilize a plan and note the application date next to each recommendation, adjusting the rate if necessary. At the year’s end, please submit these records, and we will compile a report detailing your activities and ensuring full compliance.
Should an inspector visit your farm, you can present them with the plan and the actual reports. For more detailed information on specific fields, we can extract this information from FarmWise and share it directly with the inspector, simplifying the inspection process for you.
For those operating in an NVZ area, our nutrient management reports will provide reassurance that you are adhering to the additional responsibilities associated with this zone. Although not officially mandated by a Nutrient Management Plan, meeting these requirements is crucial for compliance in an NVZ area.
FarmWise Software
We use FarmWise software to generate our recommendations, as it integrates RB209 and calculates phosphate and potash balances for each field at the year’s end. Several programs focus on the available phosphate and potash in manure but fail to account for the residual amounts left in the soil, which can be utilized by the next crop season. FarmWise addresses this, ensuring maximum savings.
We can upload field details from your RPA data or Farm/Crop Management Software, saving time. FarmWise also meets the latest requirements of the Farming Rules for Water and produces hard copy reports.
Fees
We charge on an hourly basis, with the time required dependent on the number of fields you farm, the complexity of your rotation, and the quality of the data you supply. Typically, for a 200-acre farm in Southwest England, our fees will be £400. If you are entering SFI, you can receive £652 per year under option NUM1.
