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Help for farmers in nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs)

Guidance for farmers in NVZs

Nine guidance leaflets have been produced by Defra and the Environment Agency to help farmers in NVZs understand the requirements, and implement and comply with the new Action Programme measures.

The original versions of these leaflets were published in October 2008. A number of minor corrections and clarifications to the text were necessary and revised versions (available above) were published in April 2009. If you have the original versions you may be interested to see a summary of the main corrections and clarifications made.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Environment Agency has produced a Questions and Answers document which provides a more detailed interpretation of the rules and can be used to supplement the above guidance leaflets.

Computer software tools

PLANET (Planning Land Applications of Nutrients for Efficiency and the Environment)

PLANET version 2 was released in November 2008 and contains the following new calculation modules to help farmers comply with the NVZ Action Programme Regulations that came into force on 1 January 2009.

  • The livestock manure N farm limit – calculates the N capacity and N loading of a farm (NVZ compliance tool).
  • Organic manures inventory – calculates the quantities of slurry, dirty water and solid manure produced on a farm and their NPK content. Calculates the minimum manure storage requirement of a farm (NVZ compliance tool).
  • Existing manure storage capacity – calculates the capacity of existing slurry, dirty water and solid manure stores.
  • The N max limit – calculates the average N max limit and average nitrogen application rate for a crop type grown on land in an NVZ (NVZ compliance tool).
  • Farmgate nutrient balance – calculates the farmgate balance of nitrogen, phosphate and potash (not required for NVZ compliance).

Version 2.0 also provides improved functionality for the Field-level nutrient planning and record keeping module that was part of PLANET version 1. This module provides nutrient and lime recommendations for individual fields that mimic those given in Defra's industry standard 'Fertiliser Recommendations (RB209)' book (7th edition, published 2000).

Recommendations are given for arable, horticultural, grassland and forage crops, taking account of the crop nutrient requirement and the nutrients supplied from the soil, organic manures and manufactured fertilisers. A nutrient application plan can be developed and details of cropping, soil analyses and actual nutrient applications recorded. Reports can be produced.

You can obtain a copy of PLANET version 2.0 in any of the following ways:

  • Email planet.admin@adas.co.uk (please include your name, address, telephone number and email address for future contacts).
  • Telephone the PLANET helpline on 08456 023864.
  • Download the software from the Software Download section in www.planet4farmers.co.uk/ (75MB file, suitable for download using broadband, not recommended for download using 56k modem).
Manure Nitrogen Evaluation Routine (MANNER)

Defra commissioned ADAS to develop a decision support system which predicts the plant availability of manure nitrogen (N) following land application. The ADAS MANNER software draws together the latest UK research information on factors affecting manure N availability to crops, and N losses via ammonia volatilisation and nitrate leaching. The MANNER software tool needs only a few inputs to run and is available free of charge via the ADAS website.

Guidance on manure storage facilities

Guidance on regulatory construction standards for manure storage facilities –

Guidance notes on the construction, repair and maintenance of slurry storage facilities

Guidance on nutrient management

Defra Reference Book (RB) 209, 7th Edition, 2000 (ISBN 0 11 243058 9). This reference book describes the principles of crop nutrition and gives recommendations for the use of lime, fertilisers and organic manures for field crops and grassland grown in England and Wales. It is currently being revised and will be replaced by a new Fertiliser Manual in 2009.

Industry (AIC, FWAG, LEAF, NFU and CLA) has worked together to deliver a second edition of the Tried & Tested Nutrient Management Plan, an aid to making nutrient planning and recording simple and practical for you and your farm.

By using this plan you can manage your nutrients efficiently to save money and reduce environmental risks.  The plan will also help you meet the latest NVZ regulations in a step-by-step, manageable way.

Guidance on manure management

  • Managing Livestock Manures
    A series of booklets providing guidance on how to integrate manure and inorganic fertiliser use to best advantage.
  • Manure Management Plan
    - These guidelines have been designed to help produce a plan for spreading livestock manures, slurries and organic material on a farm. This plan will help to minimise the risk of causing water pollution.

Page last modified 6 May 2010
Page published 27 June 2002