Nitrogen (N) lost as nitrates to water is a loss of a valuable nutrient resource to the farm crops and causes water pollution, impacting on aquatic life and Drinking Water Quality, leading to water treatment costs for water companies to meet standards.
Making NVZ record keeping simple…
A new step-by-step guide to NVZ record keeping is now available, produced by Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) and Wessex Water. Farmers with land in NVZs need to keep a host of records and carry out a range of calculations on nutrient management planning, fertiliser application and organic manure production, storage and use.
This is particularly complicated for livestock farmers with different livestock and manure types on the farm at different times of year. Failures on NVZ record keeping are the most common breach of cross compliance after livestock movements (RPA).
The new guide was written by Briony Burge of Creedy Associates, based on working with farmers on their NVZ records and nutrient management plans, to meet Cross compliance and make the most of nutrients available in manures and get the best from their livestock, grass and crops.
Philippa Arnold - Tried & Tested Project Officer said: “This handy new guide really is a much needed resource for those who may be new to the NVZ requirements or just want to refresh their knowledge and make sure they are on top of their record keeping. The short guide helpfully summarises the key items farmers need to account for when farming in an NVZ and provides easy to follow examples.”
This simplified guide provides a summary of the NVZ records and how to do the calculations required to meet the NVZ rules under Cross Compliance. However, farmers should always check the latest and full NVZ guidance.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) provides free advice to farmers in priority areas to help improve water and air quality.