Cookie consent

We use cookies to track how you use our website to help improve your experience and show you personalised content. You can accept the use of all cookies or manage them individually. You can find out more about your options by clicking “manage cookies".

Strictly necessary/functionality cookies

Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.

Find out more about our cookies

United Utilities to fund trial of industry’s most accurate nitrogen measuring tool for farmers.

13 Jan 2020

Farmers in United Utilities’ groundwater safeguard zones in Cheshire are being invited to take part in a free trial to help improve nitrogen use on their farms.

The water company has teamed up with CF Fertilisers and Envirofield Ltd to fund a trial of the CF N-Min system – an industry-leading nitrogen measuring tool. The system calculates the most cost-effective level of nitrogen needed for a crop to maximise yield, while at the same time minimising environmental impacts including reducing levels of nitrogen leaching into groundwater. 

Eligible farmers are being invited to a launch event to hear how the system works and its potential agronomic and environmental benefits:

  • On Thursday 16 January 2020
  • From 6.30pm to 8.30pm
  • At Nunsmere Hall Hotel, Cheshire 

During the evening, CF Fertilisers’ agronomist, Alison Grundy, and Iain Turner, from Envirofield Ltd, will provide an introduction to the CF N-Min system and explain how farmers can apply to take part in the trial which starts in January 2020. Participants in the trial will receive a free CF N-Min soil test and personalised nitrogen recommendations for their farm all fully-funded by United Utilities.

Dr Kate Snow, United Utilities’ southern catchment manager, explained: “Over application of nitrogen not only wastes money but can also have long term environmental impacts. When too much nitrogen is applied to crops it isn’t taken up into the plants but can leach into groundwater when it rains. This adversely affects the raw water quality in the underground aquifers.”

To book a place on the launch event in January and to register to take part in the trial please contact United Utilities catchment advisors:

For all press enquiries please contact Clare Vincent in the United Utilities’ press office on 0345 072 0822 or 07904 112484.

United Utilities

United Utilities is the UK’s largest listed water company and manages the regulated water and wastewater network in North West England – which includes Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside with a combined population of nearly seven million. United Utilities’ headquarters are in Warrington. Its shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the FTSE 100 Index. In 2018 the company was awarded World Class Status in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the eleventh year in succession. In 2018 the company was also accredited with the Service Mark by the Institute of Customer Service.