Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) review 2024

Find out about the strategic review of the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209), including how you can feed in your views about the future of the guidance.

RB209 is recognised as the industry standard for nutrient management information and guidance.

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 aim to:

• Clearly define the scope, role and purpose of RB209
• Identify short, medium and long-term priorities to develop RB209’s technical content
• Review the format of the guidance, including the potential for greater use of digital channels
• Maintain the delivery of independent and robust guidance on nutrient management
• Renew the remit of the UK Partnership for Crop Nutrient Management

In January and February 2024, we received over 250 responses to an initial RB209 review questionnaire (mainly from farmers and advisers). This provided information on what RB209 does well and what would improve it.

The initial feedback was used to shape the main questionnaire, which is open until 31 July 2024.

Paper questionnaires will be available at our key summer events.

To learn about the results from the initial questionnaire, which closed on 29 February 2024, read the blog by Amanda Bennett, who leads on RB209 at AHDB.

A range of industry stakeholders are also being consulted for their views on the requirements for nutrient management guidance.

It is anticipated that outputs from this activity will be available in autumn 2024.

A dedicated RB209 review steering committee has been established to oversee the review activities that will continue throughout 2024.

David Bell, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds sector council member, has been appointed to lead the review committee. 

Other members include:

• James Standen (Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council representative)
• Bryan Griffiths (Beef & Lamb Sector Council representative)
• Ian Harvey (Dairy Sector Council representative)
• James Price (Chair of the UK Partnership for Crop Nutrient Management steering group)
• Mike Gooding (Farming Systems Director, AHDB)
• Ollie Johnson (Head of Farming Systems & Agronomy, AHDB)
• Amanda Bennett (Senior Environment Manager, AHDB)

For specific RB209 enquiries or to find out about other opportunities to get involved with the review process, contact nutrient.management@ahdb.org.uk