N-Visible provides an easy-to-use, scientifically robust way for farmers and their advisers to assess nitrogen losses from individual fields. It also allows food companies and policymakers who promote on-farm sustainability to measure progress toward improved environmental outcomes at regional scales.<\/p>\n
An open-source implementation guide is now available for download. Here\u2019s what it contains and how to use it.<\/p>\n
1. Why N balance is a powerful metric<\/strong><\/p>\n There is clear scientific consensus that N balance \u2014 the difference between the amount of nitrogen applied to a field and the amount removed at harvest \u2014 is a strong proxy for nitrogen at risk of being lost to the environment.<\/p>\n Module one [PDF]<\/a> synthesizes published research from scientists at land-grant universities, EDF and other institutions that finds a consistent and durable link between N balance and nitrogen losses. It also explains why N balance is easier to use and scale than existing methods of measuring and monitoring excess nitrogen.<\/p>\n 2. How to calculate N balance<\/strong><\/p>\n Module two [PDF]<\/a> provides a step-by-step guide for calculating N balance scores under a variety of crops and growing practices, including when soybeans or cover crops are part of the rotation and whether nutrients come from legumes, manure or synthetic fertilizer.<\/p>\n It also explains the data inputs needed, as well as the scientific rationale for them and the underlying assumptions made.<\/p>\n 3. How to interpret N balance scores<\/strong><\/p>\n Module three [PDF]<\/a> explains that if N balance scores fall within a scientifically determined \u201csafe zone,\u201d a farmer is optimizing yields, using nitrogen additions efficiently, minimizing nitrogen losses to the environment and protecting long-term soil health. N balance scores below the safe zone may indicate depletion of soil nutrients, and scores above the safe zone indicate greater risk of nitrogen losses to the air and water.<\/p>\n The good news is that producers have the power to control this. A recent peer-reviewed article<\/a> published by EDF scientists and university colleagues finds that farmer decision-making and production practices can improve N balance scores and reduce the amount of excess nitrogen at risk of becoming climate or water pollution, even in the face of variable growing conditions like weather events. Open-source framework provides an easy-to-use, scientifically robust way to assess nitrogen losses from individual fields and watersheds. Learn more. <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/growingreturns\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/52\/files\/2021\/02\/N-Balance-Equation-Design-Final-Lo-Rez-1024x333.jpg\")
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