NVZ & Nutrient Planning Workshop (Borders) – Event Summary

NVZ regulations

With the deadline for NVZ plans around the corner, farmers in the Borders were given a timely reminder of the NVZ planning and record keeping requirements at this workshop.

Agricultural consultants Andrew Baird and Jonathan Black explained the key requirements for an NVZ plan which can be summarised into four sections:

1. RAMS map
2. Calculation and record of storage capacity of livestock manures (if applicable)
3. Calculation and record of 170kg N/ha loading limit for livestock manure (livestock numbers)
4. An Nmax calculation for each crop type (field records)

Record keeping requirements were also covered, along with some of the most common inspection breaches and how to avoid them.

The workshop concluded with a discussion on Phosphate and how to optimise its use to maximise uptake by the crop and minimse losses to the environment.  An update on the latest Greening rules was also provided.  A copy of the presentation in full can be found here.

Take Home Messages

• Prepare your NVZ plan soon (before 1 March) if you haven’t already done so
• Amend your plan if things change (cropped areas, mucked fields etc)
• Take account of EFA features and uncropped areas in fields and update these annually
• Add value to NVZ planning by reviewing your fertiliser programmes (P, K & S) at the same time!

The downloads below were available at the event to take home for reference.

Careful nutrient budgeting can help to improve farm efficiency & by only applying the nutrients required by the crop, reductions can be made in the carbon footprint from the business.  To read more about reducing your farm carbon footprint and to learn what other farmers have done visit the Farming For a Better Climate webpage.