Comparison with '90
Nitrogen and phosphorus used more efficiently
The Dutch agricultural sector converts minerals from animal feed and fertilizers into animal and vegetable products more efficiently than it did in the 90s. Statistics Netherlands reports this on the basis of figures on the mineral balance in agriculture.
In 1990 about 31% of the nitrogen from animal feed and fertilizers was converted into animal or vegetable products. Utilization increased to 2015% in 47, which means less nitrogen was lost. This percentage has remained about the same in recent years.
Phosphorus utilization even increased over the past 15 years (from 1990 to 2015) from 44% to 93%. An increasing trend has also been noted in the past 2 years.
Less loss to soil and air
The losses of nitrogen and phosphorus to soil and air have decreased considerably in recent years. This is partly because less of these minerals are supplied. This was mainly due to the manure policy of the past 25 years.
The fertilization is less excessive and the fertilizer application is less wasteful. In 1990, 361 million kilos of nitrogen remained in the soil. This number fell to 2015 million kilos in 242. The loss of nitrogen to the air fell from 263 million kilos in 1990 to 90 million kilos in 2015. Fertilization of agricultural land is more efficient and the losses from stables and manure storage are considerably lower than in 1990.
The loss of phosphorus only takes place through the soil. That number has decreased from 69 million kilograms in 1990 to 6 million kilograms in 2015. A striking feature is the amount of phosphorus supplied via artificial fertilizers: this has decreased by 1990% since 88.
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The loss of nitrogen in agriculture to the soil or to the air. Source: CBS.
Decreasing supply of nutrients
Over the past 25 years, the supply of nitrogen and phosphorus to livestock farms (in the form of animal feed) and to arable farming and horticulture (as fertilisers) has decreased. The flows of nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture itself (such as animal manure and roughage) have also decreased in size. This also applies to fertilizers and concentrates.
Despite the decreased supply of these minerals, the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus via agricultural products remained stable. A slight decrease in crop production was offset by a slight increase in animal production.
The cycle of nitrogen and phosphorus in agriculture. The changes in 2015 compared to 1990. Source: CBS.
Kimberly Baker
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