Computer software designed to help farmers cut pollution and boost profits by managing their fertiliser use was launched today by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency.

On show for the first time today at Cereals 2004, the PLANET Nutrient Management system is an electronic guide for farmers to help them get the most out of fertilisers while protecting the environment.

Defra put £500,000 towards the new software which helps farmers plan fertiliser use for individual crops and record what they actually use, reducing the risk of diffuse pollution which is estimated to cause more than £250m of damage a year.

Agriculture is responsible for more than 40 per cent of phosphates and 70 per cent of nitrates in English rivers and waterways.

Food and Farming Minister Larry Whitty said:

"Reducing diffuse pollution is essential for sustainable agriculture.

"This new programme will help farmers manage fertiliser and organic manure nutrients on their land more effectively, which will help to maximise their profits as well as reduce the risk of pollution. PLANET will also help farmers comply with Nitrate Vulnerable Zone rules."

PLANET software will be available free later this year. For more information and to register for a copy, go to
www.planet4farmers.co.uk.

BACKGROUND

The PLANET software mimics Defra's industry standard RB209 recommendations and was developed by ADAS and funded by Defra, the Environment Agency and Northern Ireland's Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

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

For more information about PLANET contact Peter Dampney at ADAS on +44 01954 268 213.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones are areas at particular risk of damage by nitrates from agriculture. For more information see www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate/default.htm.