Dear Reader

Pressure is growing on the farming industry to think about the impact that farming practices have on the environment. The impact of fertilisers on the environment has received considerable attention in recent years. If you are an adviser, how do you keep up to date with changes to regulations and best practices? As a farmer, how do you know who to turn to for advice?

This issue of Growing Skills brings you the FACTS and offers practice advice on keeping up to date.

Best wishes,

James

What are the FACTS about Plant Nutrition?

FACTS (Fertiliser Advisors Certification and Training Scheme) is a non-compulsory certification scheme for all those who provide advice in plant nutrition and planning. Established in 1993, there is still no legal requirement for advisers and sellers to be certified; the scheme was set up in the light of increasing environmental pressures and technical requirements. The scheme is supported by Defra and the Environment Agency.

If you are involved in agriculture, you know that for soil fertility to be maintained, nutrients taken off in the crop or lost to air or water must be replaced. However, you may also be concerned about the actual or potential environmental impact that these losses can cause and so look at what you can do to minimise them. This is one of the pressures to which those advising farmers on nutrient management and fertiliser use must respond; it was a driving force behind setting up the FACTS scheme. It allows farmers to identify those competent to advise them in all aspects of nutrient management including the requirements of the law.

There is also growing political pressure to respond to environmental problems, either by regulation such as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), or by other restrictive policies. These many be unwelcome, but if action towards environmental improvement is not forthcoming, proposals for more stringent measures will increase. The voluntary measures of the FACTS scheme encourage the adoption of best practices and offer agricultural adviser the opportunity to demonstrate that they are able to manage environmental pressures, while helping their farming clients optimise inputs.

While still voluntary, there is a need for advisers to continue their personal development and learning. It helps you keep abreast of changes in the economics of agriculture, short term and long term climate change, changes to products available, new research findings and changes to the public perception of agriculture and its effect on the environment and food quality.

Full details of the FACTS scheme can be found here on the BASIS website.

Who Should Know the FACTS?

At the Rural Skills Centre we are running a new FACTS course in October 2012.

Designed to achieve a high technical standard, this five day course is essential for agronomists, consultants, sales representatives and farm managers involved in fertiliser application, planning and advice. It is essential for anyone who wishes to be listed on the FACTS register of advisers, or who wishes to retain their FACTS Qualified Adviser status.

FACTS training is also suitable for new members of staff and those who need to know about stewardship issues.

Click here for full details of the course and to book your place. You can also find information on all our other courses on our website at www.rac.ac.uk/study/training-courses/rural-skills.