Maximise on farm resources with a NMP

Agriculture faces a number of challenges, including producing more food to feed a growing population, while impacting less on the environment. Higher crop yields, from the same, or fewer inputs, are required to supply the increased demand for food, while protecting the environment.

Agricultural production relies on environmental resources such as soil, water and air and is vulnerable to climate change, including flood and drought. Good nutrient management using a balanced long-term approach is part of a sustainable agricultural system that is resilient to both climate and economic change. 

Sources of inorganic nutrients are limited and the manufacture of fertiliser requires energy, so recycling of nutrients through organic materials and improving nutrient availability from good structured biologically active soils makes better use of resources. 

Ensuring the carefully managed application of all nutrients, including manufactured fertilisers and organic materials, helps to reduce the loss of nutrients that arises when the crop is removed at harvest. Careful planning that maximises the efficiency of fertiliser use and better management of manures can help reduce the amount of nitrogen that is lost as nitrous oxide. 

Incorporating organic materials (e.g. composts and manures) plays an important role in increasing levels of organic matter in soil. It can have important agricultural and ecological benefits, such as reducing fertiliser requirements, improving soil condition and biological activity.

Farming can have a major influence on water quality. The main agricultural pollutants are nutrients (phosphates and nitrates), pesticides and other agrochemicals, faecal bacteria and sediment. Losses from the application of manufactured fertilisers and spreading of organic manures can contribute to water pollution.

Case study: Improving milk from forage by using NMP

A customer wanted to increase milk yields from 8,200 to 10,000 litres, improving milk from forage figures, whilst also improving the silage quality and yield. 

The whole farm is tested on a four year rotational basis and a nutrient management plan is compiled each autumn, taking account of the historical cropping and past manure and fertiliser applications. Next year’s crops, including all the grass silage leys are then factored in, taking account the farm’s slurries and FYM. A plan is formulated, allowing any remedial applications such as lime or P and K to be applied in the autumn or following spring and an accurate purchasing plan put into place. Sulphur was also introduced into the equation to help improve yield and quality, something that had been overlooked in the past. Silage leys are reseeded on a four to five year rotation and based on festuloliums, intermediate and some late perennial ryegrasses.