Farmers in United Utilities’ groundwater safeguard zones in Cheshire are being invited to take part in a free trial to help improve nitrogen use on their farms.
Farmers in United Utilities’ groundwater safeguard zones in Cheshire are being invited to take part in a free trial to help improve nitrogen use on their farms.
The water company has teamed up with CF Fertilisers and Envirofield Ltd to fund a trial of the CF N-Min system – an industry-leading nitrogen measuring tool. The system calculates the most cost-effective level of nitrogen needed for a crop to maximise yield, while at the same time minimising environmental impacts including reducing levels of nitrogen leaching into groundwater.
Eligible farmers are being invited to a launch event next week to hear how the system works and its potential agronomic and environmental benefits:
During the evening, CF Fertilisers’ agronomist, Alison Grundy, and Iain Turner, from Envirofield Ltd, will provide an introduction to the CF N-Min system and explain how farmers can apply to take part in the trial which starts in January 2020.
Participants in the trial will receive a free CF N-Min soil test and personalised nitrogen recommendations for their farm all fully-funded by United Utilities.
Dr Kate Snow, United Utilities’ southern catchment manager, explained:
“Over application of nitrogen not only wastes money but can also have long term environmental impacts. When too much nitrogen is applied to crops it isn’t taken up into the plants but can leach into groundwater when it rains. This adversely affects the raw water quality in the underground aquifers.”
To book a place on the launch event in January and to register to take part in the trial contact United Utilities catchment advisors:
Veronika Moore (Cheshire and Shropshire) at:
Ellie Morris (Wirral, Widnes and Warrington) at:
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