/news/Nutrient Management News FeedCopyright NFU 2012 | All rights reservedFarmers Weekly issue a timely reminder on the importance of spreader calibration. Click here to read their article.http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Correct-application-makes-the-most-of-fertilser/17 Feb 2012Following cattle deaths from toxic gas from a slurry store in the Scottish Borders, the SAC have issued a warning to farmers. It is well known that misxeding and handling slurry can produce toxic gas which can be fatal to both peoplehttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Cattle-slurry-deaths-prompt-warning-to-farmers/17 Feb 2012Ammonium nitrate is the ingredient of choice for home made explosives. Security is essential, in countried where it has failed ammonium nitrate has been banned. To check that you are doing all you can to protect yours, and the right forhttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Fertiliser-Security/15 Feb 2012The Catchment Sensitve Farming 2012 13 Capital Grants Scheme will be launched on 1st March 2012. There will be a two month application window, the deadline for applications being 30 April 2012. This is a scheme aimed at reducing diffusehttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/CSF-Capital-Grant-Scheme/15 Feb 2012Read our updated advice on soil pH. Aim to maintain an average of pH7 on arable and pH6.5 on grassland. You can use the ALA lime calulator to check that you are making the right applications for your pH level andhttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Support---Advice--pH/25 Jan 2012Read our latest advice on out wintering livestock here.http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Out-wintering/13 Jan 2012You can read our latest newsletter, including all the upcoming important dates for NVZs and GAEC, here.http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Tried---Tested-s-December-Newsletter/22 Dec 2011Farms within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) will need to have slurry storage capacity for at least six months’ production for pig slurry and poultry manure and for at least five months production of other slurries from January 1 2012.     http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Farmers-urged-to-take-note-of-key-NVZ-dates/22 Dec 2011The apparent trend to drier springs could prompt growers to look again at how they apply fertiliser.  Andre Blake revisits the soilids versus liquids debate in Farmers Weekly.http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Solid-vs-Liquid-fertiliser-/22 Dec 2011New cross compliance regulations to protect water from pollution by fertilisers and manures will come into effect from 1 January 2012. http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Cross-Compliance-No-Spread-Zones/13 Dec 2011 The Capital Grants Scheme plays a key role in helping land managers in priority catchments to manage water resources in a sustainable manner by providing funding to help tackle diffuse water pollution from agriculture. A total of 2,115 applications werehttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Catchment-Sensitive-Farming---Capital-Grant-Scheme-update/12 Dec 2011Farmers are reminded that they must complete a Soil Protection Review by December 31st or risk losing out on support payments, including those under the SPS.   The RPA has again reported breaches of this Cross Compliance requirement – and thehttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Soil-protection-review/12 Dec 2011 An update on progress of the WRAP funded project looking at compost and digestate use in agriculture is now available.  The update looks at Nutrient content of digestate compared to composts N,P and K availability from composts and digestates Fertiliser replacement valueshttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Compost-and-digestate-in-agriculture/21 Nov 2011A new small grants funds the Farm and Forestry Improvent Scheme has been launched by Defra Minister Jim Paice as part of revisions to the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).  The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme will fund newhttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/£20m-RDPE-funds-announced/10 Nov 2011Strip tillage involves cultivating narrow strips of soil for drilling leaving the ground inbetween rows undisturbed.  In Europe the technique has at least 25 years history for the establishment of forage maize.  Strip tillage typically uses less fuel, saving money,http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Establish-maize-using-strip-tillage/03 Nov 2011The European Commission is urging France and Greece to take stronger measures to combat water pollution caused by nitrates.  In spite of the Directive being in force since 1991, both Member States have still not fully implemented it.  In France,http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/European-Comission-urges-France-and-Greece-to-tighten-up-NVZs/03 Nov 2011Farmers Weekly give a round up of the Maize harvest and warn that harvesting equipment can damage the soil structure leading to soil erosion and pollution of watercourses following heavy winter rains. To read the full article go to thehttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Maize-Watch/27 Oct 2011Jane Salter remins us that yields can only rise to the potential of the most limiting factor.  Go to the Farmers Weekly website to read the full story.http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/-Take-P-and-K-holidays-with-care-,-warn-nutrient-specialists/25 Oct 2011Click here to read the October 2011 newsletter from the Tried & Tested team.http://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Tried---Tested-Newsletter-October-2011/20 Oct 2011Livestock farmers in NVZs with at least 80% of their farm area classed as grassland can apply now to apply more manures during 2012.  It's important to consider the record keeping and land management implications read Ian's blog to find outhttp://www.nutrientmanagement.org/News/Ian-s-blog---NVZ-grassland-derogation/20 Oct 2011