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Nutrient research for cereals and oilseeds
With fertiliser prices skyrocketing and the pressure to reduce nutrient losses increasing, AHDB research aims to deliver robust nutrient management guidance, via RB209.
The nutrient management challenge
Input-cost and commodity-price volatility means a constant eye needs to be kept on the nutrient management equation. With climate change mitigation firmly back on the world’s radar, in addition to numerous other environmental concerns, the AHDB Nutrient management guide (RB209) is needed more than ever. With fertiliser prices at historic highs, this area of research is a high priority.
AHDB research focuses on:
- Providing robust guidance on the use of fertiliser, manure and slurry applications to cropped land, via RB209
- Funding research to address major nutrient management knowledge gaps
- Communicating ways to optimise nutrient use that maximises farm profitability and minimises environmental impacts
Managing expensive fertiliser
It is essential to understand the point at which the value of extra grain produced is not worth the cost of the extra nitrogen applied. To account for the ‘economic optimum’ associated with higher fertiliser prices, we commissioned a rapid review. Published in autumn 2021, RB209 price tables were extended to the equivalent to £863/t of ammonium nitrate. The tables were also extended to £350/t for cereals and £700/t for rapeseed to account for stronger prices. A second (ongoing) part of the review considers the impact on quality specifications and the value of nitrogen from non-fertiliser sources.
How best to respond to costly fertiliser nitrogen for use in 2022
Fertiliser adjustment calculator
Based on the revised price data, we issued a fertiliser adjustment calculator to help farmers determine changes to the typical farm nitrogen rates.
Nitrogen fertiliser adjustment calculator for cereals and oilseeds
All nutrient research projects
Information on all nutrient research projects is available in our research archive:
- In the ‘Sector’ drop-down box, select ‘Cereals & Oilseeds’
- In the ‘Topic’ drop-down box, select ‘Nutrient management’
Recent nutrient research articles
How do new rules on urea use in England affect farmers?
Nitrogen management in poor-condition crops after high rainfall (spring 2024)
High excess winter rainfall already recorded across the UK (2024)
RB209 hits 50, but does it have a future?
A golden year for nutrient management (article about the history of nutrient management)
RB209: the golden anniversary edition is published
Excess winter rainfall data released to fine-tune crop nitrogen plans (2023)
Getting to the root of grain protein prediction in milling wheat
Most UK regions record high excess winter rainfall (2022–23 period)
No change to milling wheat nitrogen guidance?
Nitrogen: is it time to change the guidance for oats?
High fertiliser costs: implications for milling wheat growers
Lower nitrogen milling wheat PhD
Easy-Peasy: rapid soil phosphate test closer to market
Farming rules for water: new guidance on manure applications
High fertiliser costs: implications for milling wheat growers
How should farmers manage costly nitrogen fertilisers? (blog)
Adjusting N rates and alternative fertiliser management options
Latest nutrient management guidance (RB209) update ‘on track’
Fertiliser recommendations revised on back of price spike
Results to nourish spring barley crops
Grain nutrient analysis and its role in management
Review of soil acidity and liming guidance
Getting the most out of muck applied to cereals and oilseeds (blog)
The science behind nitrogen inhibitors
Nutrient research in action
Our Strategic Cereal Farms put cutting-edge research and innovation into practice on commercial farms around the UK.
At Strategic Cereal Farm East, a trial aims to reduce nitrate leaching with cover crops.
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