The newly published Annual Survey of Fertiliser Practice 2008 highlights a continuing decline in the use of phosphate and potash.

The newly published Annual Survey of Fertiliser Practice 2008 highlights a continuing decline in the use of phosphate and potash.

Across British farmland, phosphate use is now just 31kg per hectare - almost half what it was in 1983 when the survey began.

"The survey data helps us assess the progress of the industry towards achieving its goal of sustainable nutrient management," said Jane Salter of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC). "For example, one aim is to achieve optimum nitrogen use efficiencies for profit, while reducing nitrate and nitrous oxide leakage. The survey shows steady improvements, although overall progress has slowed. However, as more refined application techniques are taken up more widely the efficiencies are expected to rise again."

The balance of soil phosphate, potash and sulphur availability all alter nitrogen use efficiencies. Hence the survey's findings of a continued downward trend in P and K use are a cause for concern. For some fields, lowering P status may have been good practice. However, half of UK soils are estimated to have potash indices below target level, while up to a third of soils have phosphate indices below target.

"There is concern that indices in some fields have been allowed to drift down too far which will threaten the ability to optimise nitrogen use in growing crops or grass," added Salter.

Sir William Young Award for Adam Drew Adam, whose Newhouse herd prefix is legendary among pedigree cattle breeders worldwide, is the 2009 recipient of the Sir William Young Award.

The award, from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, recognises outstanding contribution of livestock breeding and commemorates the late Sir William Young, Skerrington Mains, Hurlford, Kilmarnock.

Initially involved with his father in the Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorn breeds, he has enjoyed tremendous success at the Perth bull sales winning numerous championships and setting many breed record prices.