Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
balance. Annual calculation of nutrient balances and utilisation of the information in
cultivation planning and measures would very likely improve the environmental
protection on farms.
Nutrient balances and utilisation of nutrients vary a great deal in different parcels of a
single farm. The utilisation of nutrients depends especially on the weather conditions, but
the structure, drainage and acidity of the land, arable crop and the production intensity,
type and method are also important factors. The volume of the harvested crop, and thus
the nutrient surpluses, vary considerably from one year to another in Finland because of
the northern climate. Binding of nutrients takes place more efficiently if the land is in
good condition. Almost without exception the nutrient balances are better in crop
production than in livestock farming, where animal manure always causes some effluent.
In crop production it would be important to plan the fertilisation according to a
reasonable yield level to be harvested from the parcel.
The difference between the amount of nutrients added to the land and removed from
it (nutrient balance) has been calculated in several projects in different parts of Finland.
For example, in the follow-up study of the agri-environmental support, nutrient balances
(field balances) have been calculated nationally and according to the territories of Rural
Advisory Centres. In 1990 the national nitrogen balance was about 90 kg/ha, and by 2002
it had decreased to about 50 kg/ha. Regional balances varied between 137 and 58 kg in
1990 and 64 and 33 kg/ha in 2002. The annual phosphorus balance in 1990 was 30 kg/ha
and 7.7 kg/ha in 2002. In 1990 the regional variation was from 40 to 25 kg/ha and in 2002
it was from 13.6 to 4 kg/ha. (Pyykkönen et al. 2004).
Farm-level factors may be decisive in terms of the creation of nutrient surpluses even
annually, which is why the nutrient balance should be determined over a longer time
period. On the farm level nutrient balances can be used for the monitoring of nutrient
flows together with other long-term planning and monitoring of the production. Nutrient
balance calculations have been of great practical help, especially when comparing
different arable land parcels with each other. The nutrient balance calculation gives
information to the farmers on the problems in the use of nutrients, and functions as a tool
in the knowledge-based guidance. It also gives useful information for annual cultivation
planning, sensible financial management and improving the measures to promote water
protection.
Nutrient balance calculation is a highly appropriate tool for monitoring nutrient flows
on the farm level, even if further indicators are needed for the general monitoring of the
impacts of agriculture on waters.
Cattle Farm Environmental Assessment Tool (CFEAT)
General
Because the decisions and actions influencing the environment take place on the farm
level, there was a clear need to create a practical tool to assist farmers in their everyday
work and planning of best practices. The Cattle Farm Environmental Assessment Tool
(CFEAT) derived from the need to help farmers to find the best ecologically and
economically sustainable practices for their farms, and to build a new kind of
competitiveness into the whole milk production chain. Finnish agriculture is strongly
founded on practices which are environmentally friendly and respect the environment, but
to assist in the marketing as well there was a need for a tool through which the realisation
of the environmental objectives could be proven in practice.
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