Soil nutrient balances UK, 2021 - statistics notice
Updated 1 March 2024
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Soil nutrient balances provide a method for estimating the annual nutrient loadings of nitrogen and phosphorus to agricultural soils. They give an indication of the potential risk associated with losses of nutrients to the environment; losses which can impact on air and water quality and on climate change. The nutrient balances are used as a high-level indicator of farming’s pressure on the environment and of how that pressure is changing over time. The balances do not estimate the actual losses of nutrients to the environment, but significant nutrient surpluses are directly linked with losses to the environment.
Nutrient balances are of direct relevance to policies relating to agriculture and the environment including climate change, air quality, water quality, and habitats and biodiversity.
Key messages
Nitrogen
Estimates for 2021 show the nitrogen balance:
- to be a surplus of 95 kg/ha of managed agricultural land, the highest value since 2004
- increased by 4.8 kg/ha (+5.3%) compared to 2020
- decreased by 13.4 kg/ha (-12%) compared to 2000
Phosphorous
Estimates for 2021 show the phosphorus balance:
- to be a surplus of 5.7 kg/ha of managed agricultural land
- decreased by 1.2 kg/ha (-17%) compared to 2020
- decreased by 3.8 kg/ha (-40%) compared to 2000
1. UK Nitrogen Balance
Figure 1. Summary of Nitrogen balance for UK, 2000 to 2021 (kg N per hectare)
For the period 2020 to 2021 the key points are:
- The overall nitrogen surplus of 95 kg/ha in 2021 was an increase of 4.8 kg/ha (+5.3%) compared to 2020. This was driven by an increase in inputs of 7.8 kg/ha (+4.2%) (mainly from increased use of inorganic manufactured fertilisers) which was partially offset by an increase in offtake of 3.0 kg/ha (+3.1%) (mainly from increased cereal production) over the same period.
- Growing conditions and the resulting cereal production returned to more normal levels in the 2021 crop year following very challenging weather conditions for sowing, crop establishment and harvest in the 2020 crop year.
- Similarly, the increased use of inorganic fertilisers seen in 2021 was due to a return to more normal cropping and in particular a swing back to more nitrogen-intensive wheat from spring barley. Further details can be found in the 2021 British Survey of Fertiliser Practice report.
- Atmospheric Deposition of nitrogen was also a major contributor to the increased surplus, but care should be taken in interpreting year-on-year changes for Atmospheric Deposition because the available data is one year in arrears.
For the period 2000 to 2021 the key points are:
- The total nitrogen surplus fell by 13 kilogrammes per hectare (-12%) from 108 kg/ha in 2000 to 95 kg/ha in 2021.
- Over this time, inputs decreased by 42 kg/ha (-18%), which more than offset a decrease in offtake of 28 kg/ha (-22%).
- The main drivers behind the decrease in inputs were reductions in the application of both inorganic nitrogenous fertilisers and cattle manure.
- The main driver behind the decrease in offtake was a reduction in forage due to a reduction in livestock numbers.
The series break in 2009 is due to changes in farm survey data collection.
Table 1.1. Nitrogen balance for UK, 2000, 2020 and 2021 (kg N per hectare)
| 2000 | 2020 | 2021 | Change 2020-2021 | Change 2000-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Inputs | 236.6 | 187.2 | 194.9 | +7.8 | -41.6 |
| Total Outputs | 128.2 | 96.9 | 99.9 | +3.0 | -28.2 |
| BALANCE (Inputs minus outputs) | 108.4 | 90.2 | 95.0 | +4.8 | -13.4 |
(a) Changes have been computed on unrounded figures.
Table 1.2. Detailed nitrogen balance sheet results, 2000, 2020 and 2021 (thousand tonnes of N)
| 2000 | 2020 | 2021 | Change 2020-2021 | Change 2000-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL INPUTS | 2,805 | 2,274 | 2,366 | +92 | -439 |
| Fertilisers | 1,301 | 1,026 | 1,075 | +49 | -226 |
| Inorganic fertilisers | 1,268 | 967 | 1,011 | +44 | -257 |
| Total organic fertilisers | 33 | 59 | 64 | +5 | +31 |
| Manures | 1,180 | 982 | 989 | +6 | -191 |
| Livestock Manure Production | 1,196 | 1,000 | 1,006 | +6 | -191 |
| Cattle | 773 | 646 | 642 | -4 | -131 |
| Pigs | 73 | 55 | 58 | +3 | -15 |
| Sheep and goats | 227 | 174 | 177 | +3 | -50 |
| Poultry | 116 | 119 | 122 | +4 | +7 |
| Other livestock | 7 | 6 | 6 | +0 | -1 |
| Withdrawals | -17 | -17 | -17 | +0 | -0 |
| Other inputs | 325 | 266 | 303 | +37 | -22 |
| Atmospheric Deposition | 172 | 101 | 134 | +33 | -39 |
| Biological fixation | 142 | 155 | 159 | +4 | +17 |
| Seeds and Planting Material | 10 | 10 | 10 | +0 | -0 |
| TOTAL OFFTAKE | 1,520 | 1,178 | 1,213 | +35 | -307 |
| Total Harvested Crops | 561 | 447 | 480 | +33 | -80 |
| Cereals | 453 | 338 | 377 | +39 | -76 |
| Oil crops | 36 | 33 | 32 | -1 | -4 |
| Pulses and Beans | 29 | 38 | 35 | -3 | +6 |
| Industrial Crops | 15 | 15 | 13 | -3 | -3 |
| Other Crops | 27 | 23 | 23 | +0 | -3 |
| Total Forage | 915 | 697 | 685 | -12 | -230 |
| Harvested Fodder Crops | 23 | 47 | 44 | -2 | +22 |
| Pasture | 892 | 650 | 641 | -9 | -251 |
| Crop residues | 44 | 34 | 48 | +14 | +3 |
| BALANCE (Inputs minus Offtake) | 1,285 | 1,097 | 1,153 | +57 | -132 |
| Managed area (thousand ha) excluding rough grazing | 11,858 | 12,152 | 12,138 | -13 | +280 |
(a) Changes have been computed on unrounded figures.
2. UK Phosphorus Balance
Figure 2. Summary of Phosphorus balance for UK, 2000 to 2021 (kg P per hectare)
For the period 2020 to 2021 the key points are:
- The surplus of 5.7 kg/ha in 2021 was a decrease of 1.2 kg/ha (-17%) compared to 2020.
- The biggest contribution to the decrease was made by increased offtake from cereal production.
For the period 2000 to 2021 the key points are:
- The total phosphorus surplus fell by 3.8 kilogrammes per hectare (-40%) from 9.5 kg/ha in 2000 to 5.7 kg/ha in 2021.
- Over this time, inputs of P decreased by 8.0 kg/ha (-26%), which more than offset a decrease in offtake of 4.2 kg/ha (-20%).
- As with Nitrogen, the main drivers behind the decrease in P inputs were reductions in the application of both inorganic fertilisers and cattle manure.
- The main driver behind the decrease in offtake was a reduction in forage due to reduced livestock numbers.
The series break in 2009 is due to changes in farm survey data collection.
Table 2.1. Phosphorus balance for UK, 2000, 2020 and 2021 (kg P per hectare)
| 2000 | 2020 | 2021 | Change 2020-2021 | Change 2000-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Inputs | 30.9 | 23.2 | 22.8 | -0.4 | -8.0 |
| Total Offtake | 21.3 | 16.3 | 17.1 | +0.8 | -4.2 |
| BALANCE (Inputs minus Offtake) | 9.5 | 6.9 | 5.7 | -1.2 | -3.8 |
(a) Changes have been computed on unrounded figures.
Table 2.2. Detailed phosphorus balance sheet results, 2000, 2020 and 2021 (thousand tonnes of P)
| 2000 | 2020 | 2021 | Change 2020-2021 | Change 2000-2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL INPUTS | 366 | 282 | 277 | -5 | -89 |
| Fertilisers | 158 | 106 | 100 | -6 | -58 |
| Inorganic fertilisers | 138 | 76 | 75 | -1 | -64 |
| Total organic fertilisers | 20 | 31 | 26 | -5 | +6 |
| Manures | 201 | 169 | 170 | +1 | -31 |
| Livestock Manure Production | 201 | 169 | 170 | +1 | -31 |
| Cattle | 121 | 101 | 100 | -1 | -21 |
| Pigs | 15 | 11 | 11 | +1 | -3 |
| Sheep and goats | 35 | 27 | 27 | +0 | -8 |
| Poultry | 28 | 28 | 29 | +1 | +1 |
| Other livestock | 3 | 2 | 2 | -0 | -1 |
| Withdrawals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other inputs | 7 | 7 | 7 | -0 | +0 |
| Atmospheric Deposition | 5 | 5 | 5 | -0 | +0 |
| Seeds and Planting Material | 2 | 2 | 2 | +0 | -0 |
| TOTAL OFFTAKE | 253 | 198 | 208 | +10 | -45 |
| Total Harvested Crops | 100 | 82 | 93 | +11 | -7 |
| Cereals | 82 | 65 | 76 | +12 | -6 |
| Oil crops | 7 | 7 | 6 | -0 | -1 |
| Pulses and Beans | 3 | 4 | 4 | -0 | +1 |
| Industrial Crops | 3 | 3 | 3 | -1 | -1 |
| Other Crops | 4 | 4 | 4 | +0 | -0 |
| Total Forage | 145 | 110 | 107 | -3 | -39 |
| Harvested Fodder Crops | 4 | 9 | 8 | -0 | +4 |
| Pasture | 141 | 101 | 98 | -3 | -43 |
| Crop residues | 8 | 6 | 8 | +2 | +1 |
| BALANCE (Inputs minus Offtake) | 113 | 84 | 69 | -15 | -44 |
| Managed area (thousand ha) excluding rough grazing | 11,858 | 12,152 | 12,138 | -13 | +280 |
(a) Changes have been computed on unrounded figures.
3. What you need to know about this release
This section ensures any important information is clearly explained so users do not misunderstand the data.
3.1. Contact details
Responsible statistician: Robin Karfoot
Email address: agri.environmentstatistics@defra.gov.uk
Enquiries: 02080 266449
For media queries between 9am and 6pm on weekdays: • Telephone: 0330 041 6560 • newsdesk@defra.gov.uk (monitored 9am to 6pm on weekdays)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Foss House
1-2 Peasholme Green
York
YO1 7PX
3.2. National and Official Statistics
Publications with National Statistics status meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value, and it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards.
These estimates are based on a methodology developed by the OECD. Whilst this methodology is sound and allows meaningful comparisons between countries and over time, the specific data sources used within different countries will vary depending on the data available. The majority of the data sources used to calculate these nutrient balance estimates are designated as National Statistics. However, some of the data are from sources that do not have this designation and may have greater levels of uncertainty. As a result these estimates have been designated as Official Statistics.
For general enquiries about National and Official Statistics, contact the National Statistics Public Enquiry Service:
Tel: 0845 601 3034
Email: info@statistics.gov.uk.
You can find National Statistics on the internet on the Gov.uk website.
4. Background and methodology
4.1. Background
Soil nutrient balances provide a method for estimating the nutrient loadings of nitrogen and phosphorus to managed agricultural soils. Whilst a shortage of nutrients can limit the productivity of agricultural soils, a surplus of these nutrients poses a serious environmental risk. Losses of nutrients to the environment can impact on air quality (ammonia emissions), water quality (nitrate and phosphate levels in rivers) and climate change (nitrous oxide emissions). A soil nutrient balance estimate, expressed as a loading of nitrogen or phosphorus per hectare of managed agricultural land can be used as an indicator of the environmental risks. It provides a high level measure which can be used to monitor long term trends and to make meaningful comparisons between countries.
4.2. Methodology
A methodology for calculating soil nutrient balances has been developed by OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). Although based on an internationally recognised methodology, the nutrient balance estimates are subject to a level of uncertainty or error margins. The approach attempts to caputure the full range of nutrient inputs and removals to soils from all sources. The input sources are: manures, mineral fertilisers, atmospheric deposition and biological fixation. The offtake outlets are: crop production and fodder production for livestock, including grazing. The nutrient input or offtake from each source is either estimated directly (atmospheric deposition) or calculated by applying a coefficient (e.g. for the amount of nitrogen that a dairy cow produces each year) to the corresponding physical data characteristic (e.g. number of dairy cows). The relevant coefficients are derived from research and the physical data is taken from a wide range of data sources many of which are already published as official statistics.
4.3. UK approach
The estimates within this release are based on a programme of work to develop and improve the methodology and data sources. This work includes two funded projects and follow-up work carried out within Defra. Follow-up work is presented in a separate paper that gives an overview of the methods utilised to compile the data series within this release. The paper also gives details of where they differ to the proposals within the ADAS project and provides a commentary on the resultant balances and components. The project report can be found on the archive website. The estimates presented in this Statistics Notice use the June Survey data for England for commercial holdings for 2009 onwards and for all farms for preceding years. A consistent time series can be found in the accompanying datasets. Managed agricultural land has been defined as the utilised agricultural area (UAA) excluding common land and sole right rough grazing. The balance per hectare is based on the area of managed agricultural land. This is based on the approximation that this is the only land to which significant levels of fertilisers and manures are applied. We are currently investigating potential methodological improvements to recognise changes to UK agricultural systems since the original methodology was devised. The 2021 data release (22 December 2022) included an adjustment to the estimate for the removal of straw, which resulted in an increase to the ‘Crop residues’ offtake component. The time series was backdated with the adjustment applied to all years for which data is published.
4.4. Future publications
Please consult the release schedule for Defra research and statistics on GOV.UK.
5. Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Nutrients | The key macro-nutrients required for crop growth which are nitrogen and phosphorus |
| Inputs | The total amount of inputs of each nutrient to the soil. This can be through application of mineral fertilisers or organic manures, atmospheric deposition or biological fixation |
| Offtake | The total amount of nutrients removed from the soil by the growth of crops, which are either harvested or grazed by livestock. |
| Nutrient balance | The difference between the inputs and the offtake for each nutrient |
| Loading | Another term for the balance, conveying that this is the total net amount being loaded onto the soil over a year |
| Surplus | If the annual inputs exceed the offtake the net balance represents a surplus of the nutrient. This surplus represents an environmental risk as it can be lost from the soil to the air or water courses. |
| Deficit | If the annual inputs are less than the offtake the net balance represents a deficit of the nutrient and hence the crop growth requirements will not have been met. |
| Atmospheric Deposition | The process by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is transferred into soils. |
| Biological Fixation | The process by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is incorporated into the tissues of plants and crops |