Rethinking Fertiliser: Efficiency Over Excess
Laura Isherwood
Crop Nutrition Consultant
Recently, I attended the AHDB Environment Baselining Roadshow, which gave a fascinating insight into how emissions are measured across UK farms and where the biggest opportunities exist to improve efficiency and sustainability.
One of the key takeaways was the significant contribution that fertiliser makes to a farm’s overall carbon footprint. While this was not particularly surprising, the figures reinforced just how important nutrient management is when it comes to reducing emissions without compromising crop performance.
The discussion highlighted a principle that sits at the heart of what we do with AIVA: using nutrients efficiently and only applying what the crop genuinely needs. Reducing emissions isn’t simply about using less fertiliser, it is about improving nutrient use efficiency by applying the right products, at the right rate, at the right time and in a form that the plant can utilise effectively.
Traditional fertiliser programmes often work on planned applications based around crop demand estimates, but every field and every crop is different. Weather conditions, soil structure, biology and nutrient availability all influence what a plant can access at any given time.
This is where AIVA focus on understanding what the crop is actually asking for through a combination of soil testing, tissue analysis and sap testing. These tools allow us to build a clearer picture of nutrient availability, plant health and crop requirements throughout the growing season.
By monitoring the crop at different growth stages, we can make more accurate decisions and avoid unnecessary applications. Instead of applying large quantities of nutrients that may not all be utilised, we focus on delivering smaller, high-quality doses that support the crop exactly when it needs them.
A key part of why AIVA nutrition works differently is our use of Flex Technology. This approach is designed around improving nutrient availability, uptake and efficiency within the plant. Rather than simply supplying nutrients, Flex Technology helps ensure that nutrients are delivered in a form that the plant can access and use effectively. This allows us to work with lower application rates while still supporting strong crop growth and performance.
Products such as Naturamin and Sprayfix are important parts of this approach. Naturamin helps improve nutrient efficiency with amino acids by supporting plant uptake and reducing stress during key growth periods, while Sprayfix improves spray performance by enhancing coverage, adhesion and overall application efficiency. By making every application work harder, we can maximise the value of every nutrient applied.
Another important theme from the roadshow was the growing role of biologicals in modern farming systems. Improving soil health is a long-term investment, and a biologically active soil is fundamental to building a more efficient and resilient growing system.
Healthy soils are better at cycling nutrients, improving root development and supporting plant health. The more efficiently a soil can naturally release and recycle nutrients, the less reliance there is on external inputs over time.
AIVA’s Bioplus T and Consortium are designed to support soil biology and improve the natural processes that drive nutrient availability. Bioplus T helps encourage beneficial microbial activity within the soil, supporting improved nutrient cycling and creating a better environment for roots to develop. Consortium works with a range of beneficial microorganisms that can help improve soil function and nutrient efficiency.
By improving the biological activity within soils, we are not just feeding the crop, we are helping create a system where the soil can work harder for the plant.
Our approach is based on working alongside growers throughout the season rather than simply recommending a standard programme. We start by understanding the field situation through soil analysis and crop monitoring. As the crop develops, tissue and sap testing provide real-time information on what is happening within the plant, allowing nutrition plans to be adjusted according to actual crop demand.
From there, we build targeted programmes using highly efficient nutrients, biological solutions and application support products to ensure every input has a purpose.
The message from the AHDB Environment Baselining Roadshow was clear: ‘sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand’. Reducing emissions does not mean reducing productivity; it means finding smarter ways to produce crops.
By combining accurate testing, Flex Technology, efficient nutrition and biological solutions, we can help growers produce stronger crops while improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact. By improving soil health and applying only what the crop needs, we can lower emissions and build more resilient farming systems for the future.
About the Author
Laura Isherwood
Crop Nutrition Consultant
Greetings, I am Laura. As a Crop Health Consultant at AIVA, I’m here to guide you forward and support you as you embark on your regenerative journey. For much of my career, I’ve developed and advised on crop nutrition in arable systems, building nutritionally dense crops supported in a more beneficial way.
Got a question? Contact Me.
