Defra has announced the launch of a new web-based free-to-use ‘Plan and Manage Nutrient Applications Tool’ (NMPT-GB) to help farmers and advisers in England and Wales plan and record their nutrient use.
In this free webinar, ADAS soil scientists Dr Lizzie Sagoo and Dr Anne Bhogal demonstrated how the new tool works.
Watch the webinar
How the tool was developed
The tool is an online replacement for the PLANET v.3.3 and MANNER-NPK nutrient management planning tools. It will be updated later in 2026 to include Scottish recommendations from the SAC Technical Notes.
Developed by Defra, ADAS, and RSK Business Solutions, the tool’s nutrient recommendations come from AHDB’s Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). Farmers and advisers tested it on real farms over several months, helping shape a tool that works in practice.
Why are nutrient management plans important?
A Nutrient Management Plan helps to ensure nutrients in fertiliser and organic materials will meet the needs of crops and grassland with minimal environmental impacts. It can help minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce diffuse water pollution, and increase farm productivity by reducing input costs.
Nutrient Management Plans are a requirement of the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) regulations, Farming Rules for Water (FRfW) England, and The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) Regulations (Wales).
The new tool will guide you on how to create a Nutrient Management Plan for your farm. It covers a wide range of crops, including arable, grassland, horticulture, organic, and regenerative systems.