NVZ Action Programme - Additional Guidance Note for Farmers (March 2007)
This note advises of changes that will be implemented in the NVZ Action Programme for the 2007 growing season. These changes are intended to provide additional flexibility within the existing Action Programme.
N residue Groups for high yielding potato crops and vining peas
In recognition of lower N residues from high yielding potato crops and vining peas, compared to combine peas, SEERAD will accept changed N residue groups for these crops.
From 2007 the following N residue groups can be used to determine the nitrogen requirement of the subsequent crop:
Ware potatoes - N residue group 3 or 4
Seed potatoes - N residue group 2 or 3
Vining peas - N residue group 3
Milling Wheat
Applying the optimum nitrogen rate appropriate for feed wheat will not usually be sufficient to achieve the target 13% grain protein required by the milling wheat market. The nitrogen rate needed to achieve both optimum yield and a protein concentration of 13% is normally higher than the nitrogen rate needed for optimum yield alone.
The current nitrogen recommendation for milling wheat in NVZ guidance booklets is an extra 30kg/ha above the N optimum rate for feed wheat. This may not always be sufficient to meet the contract specification. SEERAD will therefore accept a further adjustment made on the basis of grain nitrogen content.
Accordingly, where milling wheat is grown under a contract, the nitrogen recommendation rates can be increased by 30kg/ha per 0.1% shortfall in grain N concentration compared with the contract agreement. Growers wishing to use this adjustment must have clear proof of lower grain N%. This can be averaged over the farm and should preferably be based on figures from at least the previous 3 years harvests.
SEERAD
March 1, 2007