Who is the course designed for?
This course is available to all FACTS (Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme) Qualified Advisers (FQAs) from 2010 onwards. Current FQAs will need to complete this training course by December 2014 if they are to retain their FQA status beyond 2014. The same arrangement will apply to subsequent five-year periods and this time period for new FQAs will begin from the date that they qualify.
This course has been designed to help prepare FQAs to manage the challenges of the Water Framework Directive (its associated initiatives and regulations), greenhouse gas mitigation strategies and soil protection, whilst also improving farm profitability. FQAs now have recognized roles in implementing Nitrate Vulnerable Zones rules, the Code of Good Agricultural Practice and assurance schemes.
With all of this in mind industry leaders have urged the FACTS Committee to introduce this topic of training in Nutrient Management Planning as core CPD training.
Benefits
As a result of this course, participants will have undertaken a training programme that will enable them to have the right type of competency in nutrient management planning and associated practices. The need for appropriately qualified and proactive advisers to support the sustainable production of grassland, arable and horticultural crops is essential in the context of Catchment Sensitive Farming and pressures on farm profitability.
Detailed planning of plant and crop nutrition is required to reduce the environmental impact on soil, water and air. In addition, concerns over fertiliser security and traceability are being built into everyday nutrient management activities on farms and associated business enterprises and all advisers and agronomists need to be abreast of the latest requirements of the Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme.
Course content
There are six modules in this course which expand the skills already held by FQAs
Module 1 – Achieving crop nitrogen utilisation efficiency
· Matching nitrogen inputs with crop or plant requirements
· Interaction of nitrogen with other nutrients
· Canopy management
· The concept of “Nmax”
· Carbon footprint of nitrogen fertilisers and the reduction of emissions of other associated N gases
Module 2 – Managing farm phosphorus
· Matching phosphorus inputs with crop or plant requirements
· Phosphorus in water
· The concept of a Phosphorus Balance
Module 3 – Techniques for in-field nutrient management
· The use of soil sampling techniques, GPS, remote sensing and precision farming for nutrient management
Module 4 – Efficient use of manures and other organic materials
· Utilisation of manures and storage
· Application techniques
· Impact on fertiliser advice. Using software to provide recommendations
Module 5 – Integration of nutrient management decisions with environmental regulations and policies, including nutrient planning and record keeping
· Implications of NVZs on nutrient management, compliance with “Nmax” and record keeping
Module 6 – Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS) and farm security
· The purpose and scope of FIAS and the importance of fertiliser security on farm
Qualification
An optional examination will be available following each course. A successful candidate will qualify for the BASIS Nutrient Management Planning Certificate. Successful completion qualifies one out of four modules required for the BASIS Diploma in Agronomy. This course also accrues 30 Continuing Professional Development points.
Other relevant courses:
Advanced BASIS Crop Modules
