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.

RB209 enquiries

Available in print

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RB209 publications (the seven sections)

RB209 news

RB209 is under review. If you are passionate about the future of crop and grassland nutrition, keep an eye on this page. In May, we will publish details on how you can feed in your views on what RB209 does well and how it could be improved.

What is the NUTRI-CHECK NET?

NUTRI-CHECK NET (2023–25) aims to help arable farmers across Europe adopt the most effective nutrient management practices. The EU-funded network will collate nutrient management resources and set up farmer Crop Nutrition Clubs (including in England and Scotland) to evaluate nutrient management practices. Farmers and researchers will also work together to create best practice guidance. ADAS, the UK lead, will collaborate with the project’s National Expert Group for the UK, which comprises farmers, researchers and industry representatives. The group includes Amanda Bennett, who oversees the production of RB209 at AHDB.

Learn more about NUTRI-CHECK NET


UK Partnership for Crop Nutrition

AHDB updates the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) in partnership with many organisations. The partnership comprises a Steering Group supported by three 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.

All research used to update RB209 is published by AHDB.

Steering group

  • AHDB
  • Agricultural Lime Association (ALA)
  • Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC)
  • DAERA
  • FACTS
  • Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF)
  • Defra
  • BBRO
  • NFU
  • PGRO
  • PNMG
  • Scottish Government
  • Welsh Government
  • Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC)

Livestock TWG

AHDB, AIC, AgriSearch, British Grassland Society (BGS), British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB), Bunn Fertiliser Ltd, CF Fertilisers, Creedy Associates, CSF, DAERA, Defra, FACTS, Frontier Agriculture Ltd, George Fisher (Independent Consultant), ICL Fertilisers, HCC (Meat Promotion Wales), Mike Slater (Independent Consultant), Potash Development Association (PDA), Scottish Government, Teagasc, Welsh Government and Yara UK Ltd.

Arable TWG

Agricultural Lime Association (ALA), AHDB, AIC, Agrii, BBRO, Bunn Fertiliser Ltd, Compass Agronomy,Cropwell, CSF, CF Fertilisers UK, DAERA, Defra, FACTS, Frontier Agriculture Ltd, H L Hutchinson Ltd, ICL Fertilisers, iSoils, John Clarke Agronomy, K+S UK & Eire Ltd, Limex, OMEX Agriculture Ltd, Omya UK Ltd, Pepsico International, PGRO, PDA, Scottish Government, Teagasc, Welsh Government, Velcourt Ltd and Yara UK Ltd.

Horticulture TWG

Agricultural Lime Association (ALA), AHDB, Agrii, Agrovista, Bord na Mona, Bulrush, DARD, DEFRA, Engage Agro, FACTS, Fresh Gro, Hortifeeds, H L Hutchinson Ltd, ICL Group, J&A Growers, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, New Forest Fruits, Omex Agriculture Ltd, Omya UK Ltd, PGRO, Scottish Government, Sinclair Pro, STRI, Teagasc and Welsh Government.

Further information

GB fertiliser prices

GREATsoils information

RB209 app

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

Nutrient management videos

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