Growing Skills – Nutrient Management Planning

Dear Reader

Regulations and requirements are constantly changing as we all know. This year the FACTS Steering Committee have stipulated that current FQAs (FACTS Qualified Advisers) will need to complete Nutrient Management Planning training modules by December 2014 in order to retain their FQA status beyond 2014. Whether this applies to you or not, these days both farmers and advisers are expected to balance healthy economic performance with care for the wider environment. So, this month we're going to share some ideas and tips on Nutrient Management Planning.

Please forward this issue of Growing Skills to anyone who may benefit or be interested in it.

Best Wishes

James

Nutrient Management Planning

A nutrient management plan ensures you put into practice nutrient conservation strategies which guarantee you get the most out of your fertiliser or manure without causing harm to the environment from erosion and contamination of surface water. By applying nutrients at the recommended rates you can potentially double your crop yield. If you get this wrong you could be risking lower yields, less profit, damage to the environment and non-compliance with regulations.

Each season dictates different priorities in nutrient management – which is why it is so essential to plan ahead. For instance, when was the last time you had a soil analysis report for each of your fields? Fields should be sampled every 3-5 years as maintaining and / or improving the condition of your soil enhances the health and abundance of your crops – Autumn is a convenient time to take samples for arable crops whereas Spring is usually better for grassland.

Here at the Rural Skills Centre we ensure all our courses are up-to-date and compliant with all new regulations and requirements. Whether you are a FQA, a farmer, agronomist, consultant or sales representative – if you are involved in any way with fertiliser application, planning and advice, it is essential that you are suitably trained and updated. Contact me to find out more about the FACTS and BASIS training we can provide.

Case Study

Peter Hoey has been delivering FACTS training courses with the Rural Skills Centre for over 5 years. Based in North Yorkshire, his company Fieldfare Training, has successfully been running courses nationwide for over 10 years. Peter told us about his background: “A farmer's son, I did a degree in Agriculture and spent many years working within the fertiliser industry – training people is what I know best, it's what I like.”

Peter is running the new 3 day Nutrient Management Planning training course here at the Rural Skills Centre and his experience and expertise will be invaluable. We asked him who the course would benefit: “The course is necessary for everyone who has passed their FACTS exam and wishes to retain their FACTS Qualified Adviser status. This means agronomists, farmers, sales representatives, environmental and water company advisers, all of whom need to do these modules as a result of the new requirements.”

For more information about this training course contact James at the Rural Skills Centre.

Growing News:

Our next Nutrient Management Planning course will be delivered from October 11 to 13 at the Rural Skills Centre. Contact James for more information or to book your place.

From environmental stewardship to biodiversity action funds – there may be financial grants to enable you to develop your land or learn new methods and skills. Click here to see what Natural England are currently offering.

Don't forget we are running numerous agronomy courses throughout the year. Click here  for more details.

Or contact James Foster at the Rural Skills Centre for more information about grants and courses.