Excess Winter Rainfall

What is it?

Excess Winter Rainfall (EWR) by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is a map-based tool that provides data on winter rainfall to help UK farmers plan nitrogen applications.

Applying nitrogen fertiliser requires an understanding of the soil profile's condition. During winter rains, nitrogen in the soil can be leached beyond the crop's root zone. If this leaching is ignored and standard spring nitrogen rates are applied, the crop may be undernourished, leading to lower yields. The EWR tool addresses this calculation gap. Utilising UK Met Office data, the platform produces maps detailing the amount of rainfall the land received after the soil reached field capacity in autumn. This data helps farmers estimate the amount of nitrate leached over the winter.

Why use it?

Accessing EWR data assists in planning efficient spring fertiliser applications. By understanding how much nitrogen may have leached during the winter months, agronomists can adjust their spring nitrogen applications, helping the crop receive the nutrients it requires. The tool provides specific maps for bare soil, winter wheat, winter barley, and winter oilseed rape, ensuring that the data reflects the canopy coverage of the specific field. This data-driven approach aids in managing fertiliser use, supporting harvest yields, and avoiding unnecessary chemical applications.

Key Features

• Calculate Excess Rainfall
  Provides data regarding the amount of excess rainfall the land received while the soil profile was at full field capacity.

• Determine Nitrate Leaching
  Delivers meteorological intelligence to help estimate the amount of nitrate leached past the crop's root zone.

• Plan Nitrogen Applications
  Assists agronomists and farmers in calibrating and adjusting spring nitrogen fertiliser applications based on empirical data.

• Provide Crop-Specific Maps
  Features specific data maps tailored for bare soil, winter wheat, winter barley, and winter oilseed rape canopies.

• Utilise Met Office Data
  Leverages UK Met Office data and maps the EWR deviation from the long-term historical average to provide agronomic context.

Who is it for?

This meteorological data tool is engineered for commercial arable farmers, precision agronomists, and agricultural consultants operating within the United Kingdom.

Have you used Excess Winter Rainfall (EWR)?

Your experience helps others make informed choices. Share how it performed in guiding your spring nitrogen applications.