MANNER – predicting organic manure nitrogen supply

MANNER is a user friendly software tool that helps farmers and advisors to quantify manure crop available nitrogen (N) supply, and to assess how changing the timing and method of manure application can affect N losses via ammonia volatilisation and nitrate leaching.

MANNER (MANure Nitrogen Evaluation Routine) has been developed by ADAS Environment Consultants using results from the latest research, funded by Defra, on organic manure utilisation on agricultural land.

Organic manures are a valuable source of plant available nitrogen (N). However, using either too much or too little N can adversely affect crop yields and quality. By integrating manure and inorganic fertiliser N additions, crop yields and quality will be optimised and pollution risks reduced.

MANNER can be used either: in advance of applying manure to check the likely effect of a spreading policy, or to assess the actual fertiliser N value of a spread manure using manure application details and weather data. Given recent large rises in fertiliser N prices and increasing environmental legislation, accurate N management has never been more important.

To access MANNER follow this link: www.adas.co.uk/manner

To speak with an ADAS consultant about use of MANNER or manure nitrogen, please call 01623 848333.

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