The calculator allows you to see the financial values of the key nutrients N, P and K present in compost and biofertiliser, when compared with inorganic fertilisers.
The values are based on current market prices for fertilisers and the typical nutrient content of composts and digestates, using the recommended RB209 approach for compost and research into digestate nutrient contents. The proportion of each nutrient that is readily available will differ between materials – for example, around 80% of the nitrogen in digestate and 10% in green/food compost may be immediately available to crops. As with slurries, the amount of nitrogen available to the crop will be affected by any losses of nitrogen as ammonia gas or through nitrate leaching. Using band spreaders or other low emission equipment will help minimise these losses.
Don’t forget that compost is also an excellent source of organic matter, which can offer significant improvements to soil quality in the medium and long term – providing further financial savings.
To find your local supplier, who will be able to provide you with the specific nutrient content of their product, please use the Find a compost supplier search tool. You should also consult your agronomist to ensure that fertiliser advice is tailored to your individual requirements.
Source: fertiliser prices are based on current market prices provided by FARM BRIEF
|
|
Nitrogen |
Phosphate |
Potash |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market price of fertilisers (£/kg) | 0.88 | 0.72 | 0.53 | |
| Green Compost | ||||
| Fertiliser equivalent (kg/tonne compost) | 0.00 |
3.00 |
5.50 | |
| Financial value of nutrients in compost (£/tonne compost) | 0.00 | 2.15 | 2.90 | 5.05 |
| Green/Food Compost | ||||
| Fertiliser equivalent (kg/tonne compost) | 0.55 | 3.80 | 8.00 | |
| Financial value of nutrients in compost (£/tonne compost) | 0.49 | 2.72 | 4.22 | 7.42 |
| Biofertiliser (anaerobic digestate) | ||||
| Fertiliser equivalent (kg/tonne digestate) | 5.92 | 0.50 | 1.80 | |
| Financial value of nutrients in biofertiliser (£/tonne biofertiliser) | 5.24 | 0.36 | 0.95 | 6.55 |
