This year, our precision services team has seen an increase in demand for our Variable Rate Nitrogen (VRN) service, following on from one of our most successful seasons in 2025 in terms of hectares delivered to our customers.  After a challenging 2025 season that affected farm cash flow and saw the removal of the variable nitrogen SFI option, we might have expected a decline in the use of VRN. So why the increase?

My own experience is that an increasing number of growers are focusing in on their nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to better protect their margins and get the most from their crops. NUE refers to the amount of nitrogen available to a crop compared to how much it actually uses. The better your NUE, the better your return from your nitrogen investment. Variable application of nitrogen is becoming one of the essential tools in the grower’s inputs optimisation armoury. Coupled with grain analysis, prediction of yield potential and measurement of soil nitrogen status, it builds up a picture of where nitrogen rates can be adjusted, either up or down, to optimise yields, proteins and on-farm income.

Now is a good time to review how our variable rate season has been progressing and to share example results users of VRN are achieving.

In this blog, I’ll be looking at what we’re seeing in terms of imagery, biomass and yield and how growers are using these valuable insights to optimise their productivity.

Satellite image of the UK coverage

Our VRN services converts satellite imagery into a visualised map of your crop performance through the season.

Current season imagery

At this stage in the season, imagery has been consistently coming in since January. We currently have over 36,000 fields for which we’re acquiring satellite imagery on behalf of growers, covering over 392,100 hectares of UK farmland. The graph below shows that each field has recorded an average of 10 images since the start of the season (as of 23rd March).

Graph showing number of images captured per field

Over our 15 years of experience in using precision technology to support nitrogen management, we’ve learned that regular delivery of imagery is key to using the data most effectively as crop growth can be rapid and across the nation farmers are making applications every day from March through to May.

Clarity of image, no matter the weather

Cloud cover can cause issues for some suppliers as it prevents imagery being captured, but we’ve invested in RADAR technology that isn’t impacted by inclement weather so growers have the most accurate view of their crop’s progress when they need it. We then use over 8 different satellite sensors which allows us to optimise passes to get the maximum number of images and ensure continuity through the season.

With an average of 10 images now in hand, growers can use their VRN imagery to paint a picture of how well their crops are performing and make informed decisions on their nutrient management strategy for the next stage of their season.

Biomass in 2026

This season’s imagery is showing up healthy biomass that translates into excellent yield potential. The graph below clearly shows a higher biomass or Leaf Area Index (LAI) for winter wheat compared with the previous two years.

Graph showing winter wheat LAI in the last three years

This is a good reflection of the higher residual soil nitrogen levels in the autumn, which were a result of the lower-than-average yields experienced during harvest 2025.

A dry season restricted nitrogen uptake in 2025, but most growers didn’t change their application rates to reflect the reduced crop demand. The grain analysis results we saw in 2025 showed that the nitrogen taken up by the crop was often much less than the volume of nitrogen applied, indicating that growers missed an opportunity to adjust their rates and avoid overapplication. The graph below shows the surplus nitrogen recorded as leftover in our analysis samples.

Table showing surplus nitrogen recorded in our analysis sample

Nitrogen that isn’t taken up in the crop remains in the soil. It can be lost through leaching, but low rainfall and soil measurements following the 2025 harvest showed much had remained in the soil and was available to the following crop. Although over application can result in nitrogen losses that potentially can have negative effects on the environment, this year the weather patterns were such that this excess nitrogen remained in the soil. This provided favourable conditions for establishment this season, allowing for rapid autumn growth as the crop took up the high residual nitrogen levels in the soil.

The LAI readings we’ve seen in 2026 show at least 30 kg/ha more of nitrogen in the crop than in previous years. For those engaged on the VRN service, this insight has allowed for applications to be altered to prevent overapplying product on areas that have sufficient nitrogen supply.

Biomass and yield

Biomass is strongly correlated with yield (see example below) and therefore at this stage of the season, biomass levels indicate that yield potential is looking good. Thought should therefore be given to how to ensure rates are adjusted to prepare to push for yields that have the potential to be higher than the typical 5-year average.

For VRN users, this can be managed using our nitrogen reverse model in MySOYL which calculates the correct rates based on how crops are performing at this stage.

Image showing biomass LHS and yield RHS correlation

As a response to the higher and variable biomass, we’ve also been making a larger number of variable rate Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) recommendations. It makes agronomic sense to apply full rates to large canopies while reducing rates on those crops in areas of the field that would not benefit from a full PGR dose.

Plant Growth Regulator variable application plan

Overall, the VRN service is proving a useful asset this season when performance is outside the 5-year average and there’s an opportunity to adjust rates to push for that greater yield potential and focus in on optimising NUE. Canopies will need careful management this season, which will be supported by monitoring the imagery. Attention to detail this season will pay dividends, not only in yield but on product efficiency – a crucial outcome in a volatile marketplace.