Claimed as user friendly software, farmers will be able to use field level information to generate fertiliser recommendations and to set up a nutrient management plan.

The Scottish version of the software, widely available from June, was announced at the joint conference of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Edinburgh.

Rural Affairs & Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead (right) said: “Pollution and climate change are renewed pressures on our soils and could, if not properly managed, significantly reduce our ability to grow crops and ensure Scotland’s long-term food security.

“This software will help farmers to make the most efficient use of expensive fertilisers and work out cost-effective methods on how to maintain and improve soil quality and productivity. With rural land use alone accounting for around 20% of Scotland’s emissions, climate-friendly farming is vital in helping us meet our targets to tackle climate change."

Jonnie Hall, (left) Head of Rural Policy for NFU Scotland,  said: “PLANET is a tailored decision-making tool that offers a guide to farming practice that should help farmers deliver economic and environmental gain simultaneously.

“Producers have an increasing need to be as efficient as possible in terms of fertiliser management, both in and out of nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) areas. As well as helping to optimise returns from this valuable input, appropriate fertiliser management addresses the wider environmental responsibilities that farmers face in this area such as minimising adverse impacts on the water environment and making a contribution towards tackling climate change.

The PLANET Scotland software tool has been developed by Wolverhampton based ADAS, located at Ingliston Royal Highland Centre and and SAC and is designed for routine use by all Scottish farmers and advisers who will get nutrient recommendations according to the SAC  system.

The PLANET Scotland NVZ modules for Scottish farmers will help farmers assess and show compliance with the NVZ rules that apply in Scotland.

Funding towards the capital costs of manure and slurry storage facilities has been made through the Scotland Rural Development Programme. Up to November 2009 the SRDP had provided £6m of funding for slurry storage. To further support farmers, and help reduce the losses of nutrients to the water environment, the funding available for manure and slurry storage was increased through the SRDP, from January 1, 2010, to 50%.

Scotland’s Climate Change Delivery Plan identifies a comprehensive approach to carbon in rural land use as one of the key transformational measures required to achieve ambitious targets. The Scottish government is working in collaboration with the agricultural sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the ‘Farming for a Better Climate’ initiative.

Focus is on reducing avoidable emissions, arising from inefficient farming practice, while maintaining a sustainable, competitive and efficient industry. Focus Farm programme will help farmers. Three Focus Farms – one arable, one dairy, and one cattle and sheep – will be chosen very soon.

The future of Scotland’s climate, water and soil were all under the microscope at the eighth joint conference of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), examined how global changes in climate affect Scotland at national, landscape and local scales.