Nutrient management resource meets farmers needs

Friday 26 February 2010

THE Tried & Tested nutrient management plan launched in March 2009 has proved a huge success with more than 13,500 plans now disseminated to farmers.

The Tried & Tested team recognise the benefit of a non-computerised nutrient planning tool for farmers, and have for this season produced tear-off pads of the farm and field record sheets to complement the Tried & Tested nutrient management plan. The record sheets were trialled at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show and received positive feedback from farmers.

The production of the tear-off record sheets in bulk quantities means that hard records of nutrient planning can easily be created and used on-farm for each field for each season year on year. This will allow farmers to simply review and continually improve nutrient use efficiencies in line with the Defra Fertiliser Manual (RB209) and the NVZ guidance leaflets for farmers.

The Tried & Tested Team said: “We are delighted that farmers have welcomed the Tried & Tested nutrient management

plan as a simple and practical way to plan and record nutrient use.

“The high uptake has showed that there is a need for a non-computerised nutrient planning tool and we are pleased that the new record sheet tear- off pads are now available to further assist farmers in managing nutrients efficiently to save money and reduce environmental risks.”

If you would like to request a set of record sheets or for a copy of the Tried and Tested Nutrient Management Plan, please call 02476 858 896, email nutrientmanagement@nfu.org.uk or visit http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/