A network of 43 small plot and paddock scale trials are quantifying the risks and rewards of different nitrogen management decisions over multiple years. These trials will characterise the yearly variability in response to N but importantly also measure carryover of residual N from one year to the next.
A variety of decision-making approaches to inform annual N fertiliser applications are being compared including the use of tools like Yield Prophet to target pessimistic or optimistic seasonal conditions, longer-term strategic approaches like N banking or replacement strategies.
These trials not only provide useful data on these approaches but also provide a platform to explore how models and other tools can inform N fertiliser decisions to balance the long-term risks and rewards.