Potato Nitrogen Ranges Case Study

The Business Problem

Every nitrogen recommendation in Nutricalc was a single, precise figure. For most crops that works well, but potatoes are different. The correct nitrogen rate depends on variety, the length of the growing season, cold soils and a host of other factors that Nutricalc simply doesn't record.

Presenting one exact number gave a false sense of precision, and didn't reflect the way potato advice is actually given – by the client's own agronomist, within a recognised range.

The Solution

wildesoft.net reworked the potato recommendation so that, for each Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS) band, Nutricalc now shows a minimum-to-maximum range taken directly from RB209, rather than a single figure. The range flows through to the Field View and onto the printed Nutrient Management Plan, and a clear statement is added to the plan explaining that the ranges cover all varieties and that final recommendations come from the client's agronomist.

The Result

Advisers can now hand farmers a plan that is both accurate and honest about how potato nitrogen is decided. The plan stays aligned with RB209, the advice matches what agronomists say on the ground, and CXCS is no longer exposed to questions about a precise figure the software could never fully justify.

It is a good example of software being shaped around real professional practice, rather than forcing practice to fit the software.

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