Comparative analysis of nitrogen accounting models with particular reference to agriculture

How a nitrogen (N) budgeting approach for farming activities might support the delivery of GHG emission reductions in practice depends on several factors, including the nature of the available data, the underlying assumptions and potential accounting boundaries, and, importantly, the practical
potential for application for farm businesses in Scotland. Agricultural N budgets should comprehensively quantify inputs and outputs to estimate and evaluate nutrient use efficiency and the tools needed to achieve this must be suitable, competent, and have the potential to identify effective measures that can achieve reductions in nitrogen emissions.
Here we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different models and their potential for practical application to Scottish farm businesses, and to support policy decisions.