Legume project aims to reduce nitrogen fertiliser use
© Tim Scrivener A new industry-led legume project is hoping to eliminate the UK’s dependence on applied nitrogen fertiliser in grassland farming.
The Nitrogen Utilisation Efficiency of Legumes (NUE-Leg) project aims to reduce inorganic nitrogen requirements, while boosting productivity and cutting on-farm emissions.
Funded by Defra and Innovate UK, the project combines scientific research with on-farm trials and knowledge transfer among farmers and food industry leaders, aiming to enable farms to use clover and fix up to 300kg N/ha a year.
See also: How 6 farmers are managing fertiliser use in tight season
It brings together key industry stakeholders, including Germinal, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University, the James Hutton Institute, Leaf, Agrecalc, Origin, Dovecote Park, Muller and Pilgrim’s Europe.
The NUE-Leg project includes testing clover varieties under real farm conditions to identify the strongest performers.
Working in partnership with Dr Christina Marley – who leads the agricultural systems research group at Aberystwyth University, the project is trialling three specially developed legume species.
Each is bred to address specific challenges in sustainable grassland management, including red clover, hybrid white clover and birdsfoot trefoil.
Dafydd Parry Jones, an organic beef and sheep farmer at Maesllwyni, who is participating in the trial, said: “I’m very excited to learn more about the new varieties that could generate a positive impact on my farming system in the future.”
He added that it is not just about trials in a field, but about finding solutions that work for farmers day-to-day, helping them build more resilient, productive systems that are better for the environment.
Early results ‘promising’
Pilgrim’s Europe lamb supply chain development manager Daniel Owen said: “The results so far have been extremely promising.
“Our ultimate ambition is to enhance business productivity and profitability, while strengthening sustainability credentials and supporting producers in meeting their future environmental commitments.”