AICC Logo

AICC Advisors and farmers testing appropriate nitrogen rates and strategies for reduction in light of current high prices. 

Brought together by the FarmPEP FIP project

Ideas for reducing N fertiliser rates - share your ideas here.

With the current high N fertiliser prices there is interest in testing how much farmers should cut back, and whether any of the range of N efficiency products on the market can help in reducing N rates without reducing yields. 

AICC advisors working with groups of farmers the proposed plan is to:

  • on two tramlines within a field apply 50kg less than their normal applied N rate (or 50kg more if the field N rate has already been reduced in response to prices).
    • Ideally do this at an early application so that the impacts of reduced N can be seen on the crop through April and May
    • Ideally have replicate treatment areas within the field
    • Use past yield map data, past aerial imagery and current satellite imagery to choose tramlines in fields where sensible comparisons can be made (see Farm Trials Guide for guidance)
  • in one reduced-N tramline (or ideally replicated) use an N efficiency product as directed by the manufacturer. (Candidate products listed below).
  • Through April and May monitor the crops, taking photos, using N Tester if available (or simple leaf colour chart?) to assess for N status.
  • Visual assessments by satellite can easily be made at www.datafarming.com or a range of other platforms.
  • At harvest get grain samples from the different areas by hand before combining, or if practical, whilst harvesting. Submit samples for grain nutrient analysis.
  • Harvest treatment areas carefully, ideally using yield mapping, to maximise the number of full header widths in each treatment (see Farm Trials Guide for guidance). 
    • Weigh grain from different treatments over weighbridge if yield mapping not available
  • ADAS will help interpret yield map data through its Agronomics process 
  • Share results within and between groups through the season, and in autumn discuss and come to conclusions, and plan for following season.

 

Through the Farm-PEP project ADAS aims to develop the tools to help the process of establishing, monitoring and analysing on-farm trials.

 

Comment and discuss these plans below.  Each regional Group of farmers can be set-up as an individual Group on PEP, to share plans and results.

Candidate N efficiency products for Groups to test are:

  • Efficient-28
  • Utrisha
  • Foliar N products

 

Suggest more you are interested in.

Related Organisations

Connected Content

ADAS

ADAS provides ideas, specialist knowledge and solutions to secure our food and enhance the environment. We understand food production and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations operating in the natural environment

NCSPulse PEP
Nitrogen

Nitrogen is required annually by most crops (except pulses) to achieve yield and quality. Judging how much N to apply is a key part of nutrient management.

NCSPulse PEP
Farm centric research

Farm-centric research generally involves On-Farm Experimentation and may be better described as 'Farm Action Research', i.e. research conducted at least in part by and for beneficiaries who also farm. 

On Farm Experimentation

On Farm Experimentation (OFE) is increasingly being recognised as having transformative power in improving performance in agricultural systems across the world.

AICC

AICC member agronomists are now the preferred source of advice on over 2.2 million hectares, which is almost half of the UK’s arable land, and the demand for it is stronger than ever

Crop Nutrition Club

Farmers, advisors and researchers working together to understand and improve crop nutrition on-farm

On-farm trials: five principles for success

ADAS have produced a new guide with our five top tips for successful on-farm trials. We'd love you to give it a try and to hear about what products or approaches you're testing on farm - by sharing the results of trials, we can learn more together.

Pulse PEP
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers

A range of products are commercially available that claim to enable more efficient nutrient uptake, allowing less nutrient to be applied as fertiliser.

YEN Nutrition

YEN Nutrition brings together those wanting to achieve more precise crop nutrition.  High fertiliser prices now make this vital.  Assuming that 'crops know best' engagement in YEN Nutrition starts by benchmarking grain nutrients to show those that were limiting (or excessive) for each crop.

Farm-PEP FIP Partnerships

The development of Farm-PEP Performance Enhancement Partnerships to support on-farm knowledge generation through shared ideas, data and experimentation. Funded as part of Farming Innovation Pathways programme from Defra and Innovate UK Transforming Food Production.

Trial report: Blue N on sugar beet

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2023, this on-farm sugar beet trial tested the effects of applying Blue N and the extent to which its use can compensate for a reduced N rate. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics analysis of Sentinel2 satellite imagery by ADAS.

Trial report: Utrisha N on winter oats

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, this on-farm winter oats trial tested the effects of applying Utrisha N. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: Utrisha N on winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, this on-farm winter wheat trial tested the effects of applying Utrisha N at two contrasting N rates. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: T3 biostimulants on winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, this on-farm winter wheat trial tested two biostimulants (3 Alo T6P and Nutrino Pro) applied as a tank mix with fungicides at the T3 timing. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: testing N rates from 140 to 260 kg/ha on winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, this on-farm winter wheat trial compared N rates from 140 to 260 kg/ha, including the N rate recommended by the Yara N tester. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: testing N rates from 150 to 250 kg/ha on winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, this on-farm winter wheat trial compared N rates from 150 to 250 kg/ha, including the N rate recommended by the Yara N tester. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: effects on winter wheat yield of reducing N rate by 50 kg/ha

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, this simple on-farm winter wheat trial in Nottinghamshire tested the yield effect of reducing N rate from the 'farm standard' of 220 kg/ha to 170 kg/ha. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and reporting from ADAS.

Trial report: can Didin slow N release enough to allow a single split timing?

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, these two on-farm winter wheat trials tested whether the N inhibitor Didin can sufficiently slow N release to allow the whole season's N fertiliser to be applied as UAN in a single split. The 'farm standard' control treatment consisted of the same N rate applied as UAN over three split timings without an inhibitor. Trials were facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: testing N rates from 140 to 260 kg/ha on winter wheat (B)

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2022, this on-farm winter wheat trial compared N rates from 140 to 260 kg/ha, including the N rate recommended by the Yara N tester amd one treatment with additional Poly N Plus. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: Clover living mulches in winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2023, this on-farm winter wheat trial tested the benefits of clover living mulches in winter wheat. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: Väderstad Rapid vs Horsch Sprinter drill comparison in winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2023, this on-farm winter wheat trial compared the effects of using two different drills, a Väderstad Rapid and Horsch Sprinter. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: Nutrino Pro foliar N on winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2023, this on-farm winter wheat trial tested the effects of applying Nutrino Pro foliar N at T2 and T3. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: Kverneland TS Evo vs Horsch Sprinter drill comparison in spring barley

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2023, this on-farm spring barley trial compared the effects of using two different drills, a Kverneland TS Evo and Horsch Sprinter. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

Trial report: L-CBF Boost liquid carbon fertiliser on winter wheat

As part of the AICC Crop Nutrition Club 2023, this on-farm winter wheat trial tested the effects of applying L-CBF Boost liquid carbon fertiliser. The trial was facilitated by a local AICC advisor, with support and Agronomics yield map analysis from ADAS.

AICC Crop Nutrition Clubs: harvest instructions

Guide to how harvest on farm trials.