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Nutrient-use efficiency assessment tool called NutrientStar

A new fertilizer management tool assesses nutrient-use efficiency technologies marketed to farmers.

Administrator Karen Chapman says NutrientStar is a science-based review program that utilizes a team of nutrient management experts.

“They’re the ones who helped us write the criteria for the assessment, the protocols for the field trials that produce the data we want to see on tool and technology results.  And they continue to serve on the review panel on an ongoing basis.”

She tells Brownfield NutrientStar currently has 17 consultants across six states who follow strict protocols to ensure the data collected is unbiased and as accurate as possible.

“We selected those consultants based on their ability; they understand field trial protocol (and) are all independent CCA’s.  They’ve been working with these farmer-clients for some time, so they have a history of working in that field and a knowledge of that field that they select for the field trials.”

Chapman says there are differences in some of the products currently available or coming to the market, and NutrientStar accounts for that in its research.

“Some of these (products) have been on the market for some time and have been in use by farmers for some time.  So we wanted to collect (information) on what is out there; what has been studied on all of these products.  So we can put (that information) in one place, in an easily digestible format for farmers to go look at.”

NutrientStar is collaborating with additional agribusinesses and crop consultation providers to build its database and give farmers valuable information that helps them make informed nutrient management decisions.