What is Nutrient Balance

Nutrient balance is an indicator for risk of nutrient loss, which is calculated on a yearly basis. Nutrient balance is calculated as the total nutrients imported minus the total nutrients exported from the farming system, divided by the total farm area.  

Nutrients are commonly imported onto the farm through chemical fertilisers, concentrate feed, milk replacer, slurry, and livestock and commonly exported from the farm through milk, livestock, and slurry. Reducing the difference between imported and exported nutrients reduces the quantity of nutrients at risk of being lost from the farm system. The loading of nutrients per hectare is a key driver of nutrient loss from a system; the more nutrients available in an area, the more likely they are to be lost. 

 

How can I assess my farm’s nutrient balance?

To view your farm’s nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient balance figures, log-in to your AgNav account and go to the Forecaster. On the Forecaster, you can view your Nutrient Balance figures, including an expanded breakdown of the imported and exported nitrogen and phosphorus sources contributing to your farm’s figures. You can also then use the Forecaster Tools to explore how making management changes on your farm can change your Nutrient Balance figures; for example, the amount and type of nitrogen fertiliser.  

To make optimum use of AgNav’s nutrient balance figures, use in combination with your farm’s soil fertility indices and the EPA’s targeted agricultural measure maps