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To ensure optimal nutrient use, it is important to guarantee the nutrient levels in animal manure before application. This approach is especially relevant for slurry and other processed forms of biobased fertilizers. By precisely determining the nutrient composition, farmers can supply nutrients based on the crop and soil need. This is currently not the case due to reliance on assumed nutrient values. This practice applies to all crops where animal manure is used.
Farmers often turn to artificial fertilizers to make specific adjustments in nitrogen or phosphate levels. However, with guaranteed nutrient levels in animal manure, these adjustments can also be made using manure, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Achieving this requires on-farm measurement equipment capable of providing fast and accurate nutrient analysis directly in the manure storage. Before application, an additional measurement should be taken by the arable farmer, for example using near-infrared (NIR) technology. More information about this can be found in the precision farming GP about NIR.