The empirical studies were drawn from the pilot
project which was conducted by Stockholm Universi-
ty, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
Vatema AB and Instute of Technology and Life Sci-
ences (Pol.The farmers were introduced to the farm-gate nu-
trient balance concept, a method for assessing how the
risk for nitrogen leaching from individual fields is
dependent on farming practices, and farm walks to-
gether with agricultural advisors (from the public ad-
visory offices), and they were provided with soil sur-
veys and subsidized lime and catch-crop seeds.Complementary to a fertilization plan is the cal-
culation model developed to assess how the risk of
nitrogen leaching from individual fields is related to
farming practices, including crop rotation, ploughing
timescales, previous year yields and fertilization ac-
tivities.The plan specifies the optimal
dosages of mineral fertilizer and manure for each
crop, taking into account its nutritional requirements
and soil fertility, i.e. content of available macro-
nutrients [GOULDING et al. 2008].Achieving a balanced and sustainable management of
organic and mineral fertilizers on farms poses a sig-
nificant challenge, and affects production results as
well as the state of the environment [BEEGLE et al.
2000].The subjects were selected initially as represent-
ing farmers of all type of farms (ranging from 13 ha to
150 ha of arable land), and representing crop, hus-
bandry and mixed farms.The farmers were drawn from different
age groups and educational backgrounds.1).1).1).