FACTS Northern Ireland - Basis

Pre-FACTS Training
Before taking a FACTS training course, some background reading will be extremely helpful for the more
experienced advisers and essential for those with little on-farm experience. It is highly unlikely that a four
or five day course alone will raise knowledge to the level needed for success in the exam.
The preparatory reading material outlined below will cover the main issues in every module of the syllabus.
The documents should be used as required to improve knowledge before formal FACTS training. A key
document is the Defra Fertiliser Manual/RB209 that can be downloaded from the Defra web site
www.defra.gov.uk. Although developed for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this document covers
the principles of crop nutrition and some sections will be helpful in Scotland. Additional information for
Scotland is in Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA) that can be
downloaded from www.scotland.gov.uk and in Technical Notes that can be downloaded from
www.sac.co.uk. Most of these are available without charge.
Module 1. The soil in relation to plant nutrients
1. Fertiliser Manual (RB209) Section 1
2. A Guide to Better Soil Structure (from National Soil Research Institute, Cranfield at
www.soil-net.com/legacy/downloads/resources/structure_brochure.pdf)
3. thinksoils from Environment Agency (£8.50 from EA web site www.environment-agency.gov.uk,
enter ‘thinksoils’ in search box)
Module 2. Organic nutrient sources
1. Fertiliser Manual (RB209) Section 2 or, in Scotland, Prevention of Environmental Pollution from
Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA) Section 4
(from www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/03/20613/51366)
2. Managing Livestock Manures (series of four booklets by ADAS/IGER/SRI, from
www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/land-soil/fertilisers.htm#2)
Module 3. The nature and properties of fertilizers
1. Mineral Fertiliser Manufacture (from the AIC web site www.agindustries.org.uk, in the Fertiliser
section, select Publications for farmers and advisers)
Module 4. Crop nutrients in plants and the factors influencing nutrient management planning
1. Fertilizer Manual (RB 209) Section 1 or, in Scotland, SAC Technical Notes
2. Managing Livestock Manures, a series of four booklets by ADAS/IGER/SRI, (from
www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/land-soil/fertilisers.htm#2)
3. Understanding Nitrogen and its Use in Agriculture, Understanding Phosphorus and its Use in
Agriculture and Understanding Potassium and its Role in Agriculture, a series of three booklets
(from www.efma.org)
Module 5. Use of fertilisers on the main crop groups in the UK
1. Fertilizer Manual (RB209) Sections 3, 4 and 7 or, for Scotland, relevant SAC Technical Notes
Module 6. The transport, handling and storage of fertilisers
Farm Storage and Transport Requirements for AN-based Fertilisers (from the AIC web site
www.agindustries.org.uk, in the Fertiliser section, select Publications, Health and Safety)
1. Security of fertilisers on farms. Northern Ireland version of the ‘Ten Point Plan’ available at
www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk/documents/fertliser leaflet NI.pdf
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