Nutrient Management Guide (RB209)

The Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) helps you make the most of organic materials and balance the benefits of fertiliser use against the costs – both economic and environmental. The guide explains the value of nutrients, soil and why good nutrient management is about more than just the fertilisers you buy; it can save you money as well as help protect the environment.

The March 2026 update applies to Sections 1 to 4:

Section 1 – Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use

Section 2 – Organic materials

Section 3 – Grass and forage crops

Section 4 – Arable crops

• Order for postal delivery from our online catalogue
• A digital version will be available later in spring (PDF sections designed to meet the AHDB accessibility standards)
• Currently, PDF copies of the 2026 print publication can be requested from info@ahdb.org.uk
• The 2026 update applies to Sections 1 to 4

AHDB continues to work with key stakeholders to facilitate updates outside of the scope of the AHDB levies, such as those who represent horticultural, potato, pulse and sugar beet crops.

Discover what changed in each edition of the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). Based on latest independent research, we have revised the recommendations annually since 2017.

A good nutrient management plan provides a foundation for in-season management and can highlight ways to improve your approach. A plan can also demonstrate compliance with nutrient regulations and highlight where adjustments to farm practice is needed.

The AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) includes guidance on the management of soil acidity and alkalinity.

Learn about optimum and target pH and lime recommendations for major arable and grass systems and soil types.

We first published RB209 in 2017 in seven sections, following a technical review of its content in 2016.

Since then, it has been annually updated, based on evidence provided by research commissioned by AHDB, in partnership with others.

To ensure RB209 continues to meet the changing needs of levy payers, we are leading the first large-scale strategic review of RB209 since 2016.

We have received several hundred responses to an RB209 questionnaire and conducted 35 stakeholder interviews.

These responses will help us develop recommendations on RB209’s development, which will be considered by the RB209 review steering committee by the end of the year.

We update the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) in partnership with many organisations. The partnership includes a Steering Group supported by two Technical Working Groups (TWGs). The partnership coordinates the research and knowledge exchange it funds to generate independent, scientifically robust and practical data on crop nutrient management for the UK.

On 27 March 2026, we started publishing weekly fertiliser prices to provide transparent and reliable market information in response to impacts from the Middle East conflict.

Watch the nutrient session at Agronomy Conference 2023.

RB209 enquiries

nutrient.management@ahdb.org.uk

The RB209 app is no longer available. We recommend that users delete it and view the latest RB209 data on the AHDB website.