In recognition of its revolutionary approach to sustainable crop fertiliser, a leading local grower has been selected to receive the Anglian Water Farming Innovation Grant to conduct field-scale testing on Novaagro. This prestigious grant specifically supports farmers and land managers developing practical, localised solutions to water quality challenges in key river catchments.
Novagro’s innovative fertiliser tackles the nitrogen problem associated with imported artificial fertilisers. It helps crops unlock nutrients already trapped in the soil, boosting early-stage plant development and reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable agricultural solution.
The grant supports Novagro’s testing and evaluation of its innovative fertiliser that helps crops unlock nutrients otherwise trapped in the soil, accelerating early-stage plant development, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers, and ultimately providing a sustainable solution to the nitrogen problem.
The research trial, conducted in partnership with Ricardo and focused on the River Colne area, examined the product’s impact on soil health, nutrient retention, and water quality.
The trial is taking place on two neighbouring fields of the same soil type in Essex: one treated with Novagro at a rate of 3 tons per hectare, and one serving as an untreated control.
Both fields were previously planted with wheat and are now growing oilseed rape. The study aims to provide a clear comparison of the product’s performance under real-world conditions.
To ensure comprehensive data collection, 36 soil water pots have been installed across the fields to capture water for analysis. These samples will help determine nutrient leaching and provide insights into the product’s ability to reduce nitrogen runoff.
“This project is a fantastic validation of Novaagro’s potential to address the modern challenges of sustainable catchment management,” said Rod Challis, Managing Director, Novagro. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Anglian Water and Ricardo to demonstrate how Novagro can enhance soil health, reduce waste, and provide a sustainable solution to the nitrogen problem.”
The initial trial, supported by the grant, marks a significant step forward in Novagro’s mission to promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce reliance on artificial fertilisers. The findings from the study will contribute to the growing body of research on environmentally friendly farming solutions.
