The objectives were to conduct a comprehensive review of existing NMPTs for grassland and forage crops available for use in the UK or Ireland and provide recommendations for future provision.
In addition to the available CAFRE nutrient calculators, an additional three were reviewed from the UK and Ireland as well as others from countries with similar climates and farming systems. These included the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and New Zealand.
The CAFRE nutrient calculators are the recommended ‘industry standard’ NMPTs to use in Northern Ireland and have an established user-base and support system. ADAS reported that they are web-based, but dated, having not been updated since they were developed (apart from regular updates to the underlying recommendations in line with relevant RB209 updates).
Overall the CAFRE NMPTs are dated and cumbersome to navigate, furthermore they are mainly desk-based and not suited for on-the-go use which could contribute to low uptake.
ADAS recommended that the CAFRE calculators continue to be the standard recommended tools for use in Northern Ireland, however a range of possible improvements were highlighted to bring the calculators to a higher standard. These recommendations included:
- more accurate accounting of nutrients in organic matter,
- inclusion of farmgate nutrient balance
- stream-line data entry
- in general, make the calculators more user-friendly.
Download the full report including conclusions and recommendations below.
For further information about this research, contact ADAS Head of Soils and Nutrients John Williams john.williams@adas.co.uk
