Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) review 2024

Find out about the strategic review of the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209), including how we are capturing your views about the future of the guidance.

RB209 is recognised as the industry standard for nutrient management information and guidance.

We first published RB209 in 2017 in seven sections, following a technical review of its content in 2016.

Since then, it has been annually updated, based on evidence provided by research commissioned by AHDB, in partnership with others.

To ensure RB209 continues to meet the changing needs of levy payers, we are leading the first large-scale strategic review of RB209 since 2016.

We aim to:

• Clearly define the scope, role and purpose of RB209
• Identify short, medium and long-term priorities to develop RB209’s technical content
• Review the format of the guidance, including the potential for greater use of digital channels
• Maintain the delivery of independent and robust guidance on nutrient management
• Renew the remit of the UK Partnership for Crop Nutrient Management

At the start of the year (in January and February), we conducted an initial questionnaire to gauge what people think about RB209, including what it does well and how it could be improved. We received over 250 responses (mainly from farmers, agronomists and advisers). To learn about the results from the initial questionnaire, read the blog by Amanda Bennett, who leads on RB209 at AHDB.

The initial comments helped us develop a follow-up main questionnaire, which ran for several months (during May, June, July and August, closing on 14 August). We received over 650 responses, which will be evaluated in conjunction with feedback collected from 35 stakeholder interviews. We expect to complete the analysis in autumn 2024 with recommendations on RB209’s development considered by the RB209 review committee by the end of the year.

As part of the review, we are also recruiting farmer members of the technical working groups and steering group of the Crop Nutrient Management Partnership (the group convened by AHDB that oversees the updates to technical guidance in RB209).  The closing date to express interest was 30 September 2024.

Amanda Bennett provided an RB209 review update at the 2024 Agronomy Conference. The presentation outlined the headline findings from the hundreds of views received:

• Strengthen the position of RB209 as industry guidance
• Focus on communication and knowledge exchange to improve nutrient management planning
• Improve the user experience of RB209
• Reinforce soil health as the starting point for crop nutrient management
• Improve technical information and guidance (especially for the higher-ranked topics)

The findings will direct RB209’s development in 2025 and beyond.

A dedicated RB209 review steering committee has been established to oversee the review activities that will continue throughout 2024.

David Bell, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds sector council member, has been appointed to lead the review committee. 

Other members include:

• James Standen (Cereals & Oilseeds Sector Council representative)
• Bryan Griffiths (Beef & Lamb Sector Council representative)
• Ian Harvey (Dairy Sector Council representative)
• James Price (Chair of the UK Partnership for Crop Nutrient Management steering group)
• Mike Gooding (Farming Systems Director, AHDB)
• Ollie Johnson (Head of Farming Systems & Agronomy, AHDB)
• Amanda Bennett (Senior Environment Manager, AHDB)

For specific RB209 enquiries or to find out about other opportunities to get involved with the review process, contact nutrient.management@ahdb.org.uk