A nutrient budget compares overall nutrient inputs to outputs in a farm system. It can help identify production or environmental issues arising from nutrient excesses or deficits. It can then be used to evaluate a nutrient recommendation and make adjustments before the recommendation is implemented. This can enable different nutrient management scenarios to be evaluated before finalising a nutrient recommendation.
A nutrient budget can lead to a reduction in the fertiliser recommended and/or allow you to prioritise what nutrients are needed where.
Key nutrient sources, that are sometimes overlooked but are key to the overall farm system and are valued in a nutrient nudget, include effluent on dairy farms and supplementary feed brought on farm.
Another reason for understanding nutrients is to achieve optimal levels for plant and animal health. Monitoring levels of potassium, for example, is particularly important as high levels can cause animal health problems.
Creation of a nutrient budget
Your nutrient budget is created based on your soil test results and an estimation of other nutrients that are added into the farming system, such as animal dung/urine, supplementary feed brought on, atmospheric conditions, etc. Outputs are then taken into account, such as nutrient uptake in pasture/crops, leaching, supplementary feed removed, etc. Other considerations include the use of nitrification inhibitors (eg eco-n), soil type, topography, etc.
Content of a nutrient budget
OVERSEER® is the programme Ravensdown uses to help your Account Manager create a nutrient budget. It is an agricultural management tool that assists in examining nutrient use and movements within a farm to optimise production and environmental outcomes.
The outcome of a nutrient budget will be to identify the nutrients that you have an excess of, therefore giving you the option to reduce inputs such as fertiliser, or to use the excess by aiming for greater production. It can also show the nutrients that are in short supply and are therefore possibly limiting your production, allowing you to prioritise your fertiliser applications.
Organising a nutrient budget
If you would like to enjoy the benefits of completing a nutrient budget, contact our Customer Centre for more information.
My Ravensdown
Your nutrient budgets are available for review and printing from My Ravensdown, your secure part of the Ravensdown website.