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Better Fertiliser Decisions (BFD)

Better Fertiliser Decisions (BFD) overview
Soil test – pasture response relationships
Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI)
National Database
Conditions of access to the database
Nutrient Management Downloads
Project partners
Contact us
Copyright and disclaimer

Better Fertiliser Decisions (BFD) Overview

The Better Fertiliser Decisions project (BFD) (2003-2007) was conducted to provide comprehensive information to improve fertiliser decisions for grazing industries across Australia. National in scope, the BFD project compiled and interpreted results from pasture-fertiliser experiments and information on nutrient loss processes from all pastoral regions in Australia.

The BFD project has delivered:

  • Soil test – pasture response relationships and critical soil test values for phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) differentiated at regional, state and national scales, and also by soil characteristics such as soil texture and P buffering index (PBI);
  • The Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI), a decision support tool to assess the risk of nutrient loss from the paddock to the off-farm environment in the format of a user-friendly computer program.
  • An interactive national database containing all the data submitted on pasture responses to applied nitrogen (N), P, K and S fertiliser;

Through these information products, fertiliser advisors and producers can make informed decisions on fertiliser application to satisfy production goals and reduce loss of nutrients from the paddock to the environment.

Soil test – pasture response relationships

Soil test – pasture response calibrations define the relationship between pasture production and soil test value. The relationship allows users to predict the pasture production response if the soil nutrient level is altered by the addition of fertiliser.

Soil test – pasture response relationships were prepared, where possible, for P, K and S, nationally and differentiated by state, region, soil texture, PBI and cation exchange capacity categories.

The response relationships were statistically compared and significant differences identified. It was found that the pooled national data set provides superior soil test – pasture response relationships for each nutrient. These response relationships are relevant across all grazing regions and livestock enterprises.

The response relationships are available in the Making Better Fertiliser Decisions for Grazed Pastures in Australia technical booklet.

Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI)

The Farm Nutrient Loss Index (FNLI) is a decision support tool to assess the risk of nutrient loss from the paddock to the off-farm environment that is in the format of a user-friendly computer program.

The FNLI brings together the current knowledge of phosphorus and nitrogen loss processes and is designed to assist farm advisors, in conjunction with farmers, to make informed nutrient management decisions.

The FNLI addresses the pathways of nutrient loss relevant to Australian pasture-based industries:

  • Runoff across the soil surface
  • Drainage past the root zone
  • Lateral flow through subsurface layers in the soil profile
  • Emission of gases significant to exacerbating the ‘greenhouse’ effect

The FNLI User Manual provides supplementary information on how to use the FNLI software, how the FNLI calculates risks, and background scientific information on land features, nutrient and pasture management practices that influence nutrient loss from pastures.

National Database

The National Database is the repository arising from the collation and processing of all available data from 50 years of pasture response to applied N, P, K and S fertiliser experiments conducted across the dairy, sheep and beef grazing regions of Australia. In all, the database includes almost 5000 nutrient site years of experimental data taken from about 3000 sites that represent an extensive range of pastoral regions with differing soil types and climatic conditions.

The database contains all raw site data from trials as submitted on a standard template in a non quality assured form as well as quality assured processed data that is able to be extracted and analysed using a flexible graphical tool (Flexigraph).

The database provides the capacity to accommodate new data in the future. Data can be submitted to the database by contacting Ivor Awty.

If you wish to access the BFD Database please read the Conditions of access to the database and if you meet the criteria contact:

Ivor Awty
Department of Primary Industries Victoria
1301 Hazeldean Road
Ellinbank Vic 3821
Phone: 03 5624 2222
Email: ivor.awty@dpi.vic.gov.au

Conditions of access to the database

Criteria to be an approved user

In order to be approved as users of the National Database, applicants:

  1. must have a proven capability to use and reliably interpret the data
  2. must have relevant qualifications and experience in soil science and plant nutrition. In general, these criteria will be satisfied if the applicant is:
  • an Australian Government RD & E staff member currently working in soil science and plant nutrition disciplines; or
  • a University researcher or academic staff member wishing to use the data
    for research purposes but not for undergraduate teaching purposes.

These examples are not exhaustive and others working in related areas of the private sector (other fertilizer company agronomy staff, consultants and those working in soil testing laboratories) may also be considered if they meet the above criteria.

Approval of users is at the discretion of Dairy Australia Limited or its agents appointed for the purpose of considering applications.

Disclaimer on database

This database is for information only. It has been created with due care and attention to accuracy, but Dairy Australia accepts no liability if, for any reason, the information is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date.

Copyright Dairy Australia

Notice of Fees

Approved users may incur charges for training in the use of the “Flexigraph” tool.

Nutrient management downloads

Making Better Fertiliser Decisions for Grazed Pastures in Australia technical booklet (4 MB)

Farm Nutrient Loss Index Decision Support Tool (14 MB)

Farm Nutrient Loss Index User Manual (1 MB)

Farm Nutrient Loss Index Paddock Record Sheet (80 KB)

Project Partners

Contact us

For more information about the project contact:
Dr Cameron Gourley
Department of Primary Industries Victoria
1301 Hazeldean Road
Ellinbank Vic 3821
Phone: 03 5624 2222
Email: cameron.gourley@dpi.vic.gov.au

Copyright and disclaimer

© The State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, June 2007.
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

DISCLAIMER
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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Last updated: April 18, 2013