Manure surplus in agriculture, 1970-2011

Surpluses, 2010

The nitrogen surplus decreased by 4% between 2010 and 2011 and the phosphorus surplus decreased by about 18%. The nitrogen surplus therefore made up 47% of the total mineral input in agriculture in 2011, and the phosphorus surplus 19%. This corresponds to a utilisation percentage of 53% and 81% respectively; a considerable improvement since implementation of MINAS in 1998. The utilisation percentage for nitrogen was 31% in 1997 and 48% for phosphorus. In 2006, the year in which new fertilizer policy was enforced, the utilisation percentage for nitrogen was 43%, and 64% for phosphorus.

Higher nutrient surpluses up to 1986 due to growing number of livestock

Nitrogen and phosphorus surpluses in agriculture increased between 1970 and 1986. The main contributor was the development of intensive livestock farming, with the resulting increase in the import of concentrates. The increasing nitrogen surplus was reinforced in this period by the higher nitrogen levels in concentrates and the increased application of nitrogen fertilizer to meet the growing demand for roughage. The increase in the phosphorus surplus was partially offset after 1975 by a decrease in phosphorus levels in concentrates.

Various measures led to surplus decrease after 1986

The nitrogen surplus decreased by 59% between 1986 and 2011, and the phosphorus surplus by 82%.