By targeting slurry more precisely, correcting nutrient imbalances and improving nitrogen efficiency, a Shropshire dairy farm is set to cut fertiliser use from 240–250kg N/ha to approximately 170kg N/ha, while boosting grass growth and lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per litre of milk.
At Lower Farm in North Shropshire, Steve and Emma Furnival run a herd of 340 Friesian crossbred cows under a spring block calving system across 230 acres. Operating within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), the business already keeps detailed records of fertiliser and slurry applications, providing a strong foundation for improving nutrient use efficiency.
Emma said: “We moved over to an intensive grazing system about 15 years ago, and back then the focus was very much on getting fertiliser on early in the spring to kick-start grass growth. That was just the way things were done.”
As part of their on-farm actions within the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN), a comprehensive nutrient review by ISoils Ltd in March 2026 is helping the farm build on this foundation. This highlighted opportunities to better align soil, slurry and fertiliser management to improve productivity and reduce environmental impact.
Soil analysis showed pH levels are generally in a good range for productive grassland. However, it also revealed emerging imbalances, particularly in fields closest to the steading. Here, repeated slurry applications combined with limited nutrient offtake have led to elevated phosphate (P) and potassium (K) levels. These excesses can reduce grass palatability, interfere with mineral uptake in livestock and ultimately limit performance.
“What we’re learning now through the UK-DCN work is that by better understanding our soil nutrients, slurry value and overall dairy system, we can be far more precise with what we apply and when. It’s not about cutting back for the sake of it, but about using what we’ve already got more effectively,” said Emma.
A more targeted approach to slurry
As an extensive grazing system using AgriNet to measure grass growth and plan grazing, slurry timing is critical at Lower Farm to avoid grass contamination and maintain utilisation. Slurry is applied via a dribble bar, helping improve accuracy and reduce losses, however the review identified that both placement and timing could be further refined.
Slurry is now being repositioned as a strategic nutrient source rather than a routine application. Key changes include:
- Redirecting slurry away from high P and K grazing paddocks
- Prioritising silage ground and fields with lower nutrient indices
- Matching applications more closely to crop demand and offtake
Introducing routine slurry sampling will allow more accurate nutrient planning, ensuring application rates reflect actual nutrient content and reducing the risk of over-application.
With all farmyard manure exported off the farm, making better use of slurry nutrients is a key opportunity. By improving targeting and timing, the business can significantly reduce reliance on bought-in P and K fertiliser, cutting both costs and emissions linked to fertiliser manufacture.
Driving nitrogen efficiency
The farm currently applies 240–250kg N/ha, with a clear aim to reduce this to 170kg N/ha. The review highlighted low sulphur levels across the farm, limiting how effectively nitrogen is used.
By incorporating sulphur into the fertiliser programme, the farm can improve nitrogen uptake, increase grass and silage yields and reduce losses through leaching. This is a key lever for maintaining output while reducing total nitrogen inputs, directly lowering nitrous oxide emissions.
Improving soil function
The review indicated that physical soil structure may be limiting performance in places. Compaction is likely restricting root growth and nutrient cycling, reducing the efficiency of applied fertiliser and slurry.
Targeted soil inspection and remedial action, such as aeration or subsoiling where needed, will help unlock soil potential. Improved soil function could allow the farm to maintain grass growth with less purchased nitrogen, further supporting its reduction targets.
Whole-system benefits
The Furnivals are bringing together detailed soil data, improved slurry use and more efficient fertiliser planning to develop a more integrated nutrient management strategy. This approach is designed to reduce reliance on bought-in inputs while improving grass growth, grazing performance and overall nutrient efficiency across the farm.
“With fertiliser prices where they are in 2026, this approach hasn’t just made sense environmentally, it’s made solid commercial sense for the business as well,” said Emma.
Over the coming months, these changes will be actively monitored through the UK-DCN project to assess their impact on fertiliser use, farm productivity and GHG emissions. This work demonstrates how farms operating within NVZ regulations can go further by using data-led, field-by-field decision making to deliver measurable environmental and productivity gains.