What is PLANET?
Why will PLANET be useful to farmers?
Environmental benefits of PLANET
How do I get a copy of PLANET?
What help and training will there be for PLANET users?
Who has developed PLANET?

What is PLANET?

PLANET is a newly developed, computerised version of Defra's industry standard 'Fertiliser Recommendations (RB209)' book. It will provide farmers and advisers with a quick and easy way of obtaining RB209 recommendations for arable, horticultural or grassland crops in each field, each year, taking account of the crop nutrient requirement as well as the nutrients supplied from organic manures, soil and fertilisers. It will allow the user to develop a nutrient and manure application plan for a group of fields covering the use of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5), potash (K2O), magnesium (as MgO), sulphur (as SO₃), sodium (as Na2O) and lime. The plan can be modified during the season and actual applications recorded. Last year's field records together with other information will be used to generate next years RB209 recommendations. Field histories and recommendations can be printed off.

The following additional calculation modules are planned for PLANET version 2.

• Farm-gate nutrient audit
• Farm organic manure inventory
• Slurry storage requirements
• NVZ organic manure nitrogen loading
• Whole-farm fertiliser and lime buying

Note. The information supplied by PLANET is technically applicable in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but may not be fully applicable elsewhere.

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Why will PLANET be useful to farmers?

Fertilisers and lime are increasingly expensive but are commonly needed to grow high yielding and good quality crops. However, unnecessary use is wasteful which reduces farm profits and increases the risk of diffuse nutrient pollution. To maximise profits and avoid waste, farmers need to plan their use of nutrients for each field crop and in each year, and to allow for the nutrients supplied by organic manure applications. Organic manures (e.g. slurries, FYM, sewage sludge) contain large quantities of nutrients which can often mean that large reductions in the need for bag fertiliser are possible.

Correct nutrient planning for each field, each year can be a lengthy and complicated job. Using PLANET will make this easier for farmers or advisers to do, who will also have the confidence of knowing that the PLANET recommendations reflect the industry standard RB209 recommendations.

Use of PLANET will help farmers to:

• work in metric or imperial units
• qualify for the new agri-environment Entry Level Stewardship (ELS)
• comply with NVZ requirements
• achieve good crop yields and quality

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Environmental benefits of PLANET

It is extremely important to maintain an adequate supply of available nutrients for crop uptake. However, supplies of nutrients from fertiliser, organic manures and sewage sludge in excess of crop requirements are at greater risk of polluting ground and surface waters.

Since 1990, the Water Companies of England and Wales have spent more than £20bn to improve sewerage systems and water quality. However, despite these improvements, there has been a continuing trend of rising nitrate and phosphorus levels in ground and surface waters (eutrophication). The growth of undesirable plants and algae in eutrophic waters reduces ecological diversity and adversely impacts on water-based recreation and tourism. Many water conservation sites in the UK, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and European Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas), are already adversely affected by losses of agricultural nutrients.

With the introduction of the European Water Framework Directive, the Environment Agency is now bound to protect, restore and enhance the status and diversity of all surface water ecosystems and ensure the progressive reduction of groundwater pollution. Effective nutrient management using of PLANET will provide an essential step towards reducing diffuse nutrient pollution from agriculture.

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How do I get a copy of PLANET?

Copies of the PLANET CD-ROM are free of charge to farmers and advisers. To receive a copy, you must register on this website and provide an email address so that we can send you information about PLANET developments including training workshops, software updates, etc. FACTS advisers must also register as described above.

The PLANET RB209 recommendations calculator is also being made available free of charge to commercial agricultural software houses. Several companies are planning to include this calculator in a future update; this will allow farmers who are already using commercial software to use existing field records to generate RB209 nutrient and lime recommendations.

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What help and training will there be for PLANET users?

Help is available for PLANET users with problems concerning software installation/operation and to explain why a PLANET recommendation is what it is. Questions may be emailed using the Contact Us areas on this website, or ring the PLANET Helpline on 0845 6023864. However the Helpline will NOT give specific technical advice on manure or fertiliser use for a specific farm or field crop.

A programme of training workshops in England will be available from January 2005. These will be whole day workshops designed to help delegates make the best use of the PLANET software (£60 per delegate incl. VAT). Details of forthcoming workshops will be advertised in PLANET News and emailed to registered PLANET users.

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Who has developed PLANET?

The PLANET software has been developed by ADAS with funding from Defra, the Environment Agency (EA) and the Department for Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland (DARDNI). Guidance has been given by a Steering Group including representatives from the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC), English Nature (EN), FACTS, the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). The software is maintained and supported by ADAS.