AHDB offers fresh advice with updated RB209 ferts guide
© Tim Scrivener Arable farmers are set to benefit from updated nutrient management guidance designed to help them make the most of organic materials while balancing fertiliser use against cost.
The AHDB’s latest Nutrient Management Guide, RB209, was released on 31 March and responds to calls from levy payers for practical, adaptable advice suitable for a wide range of farming situations.
Key updates include enhanced guidance on soil pH and liming, better accounting of nutrient cycling and crop-available nutrients from various organic sources, and additional recommendations tailored to different grazing and silage management patterns.
It also features an improved layout for easier use in planning.
See also: 7 tips to make fertiliser go further this spring
The new edition builds on work since the 2023 “golden anniversary” edition and the 2024 strategic review, incorporating feedback from more than 900 farmers and stakeholders.
Amanda Bennett, AHDB senior environment manager, said the updated guide is particularly relevant amid global concerns over fertiliser supply and prices.
“The conflict in the Middle East has refocused attention on fertiliser inputs, and RB209 will continue to help farmers apply nutrients in the right place, in the right amount, at the right time, on a healthy soil,” she said.
Ongoing research
Ms Bennett emphasised that the guide builds on the latest research, but the AHDB is also funding new studies to close critical knowledge gaps, particularly for grass and forage crops.
Current projects include detailed investigations into nitrogen release timing and the effects of different destruction methods, as well as collaboration with Anglian Water, Southern Water, and Wessex Water to create a decision-support “tree” for nutrient management after cover crops.
This tool will consider factors such as cover crop species, management timing, crop condition, soil type, and weather, and is due to be published later this year.
RB209 2026 is available to order for postal delivery from the AHDB.
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