Cut synthetic nitrogen – that was the big question we wanted to answer on our wheat test fields this season (2025). Fertiliser prices keep going up, and many farmers are under pressure to reduce nitrogen for environmental reasons too. We wanted to see how far we could go without hurting yield.
So we set up a simple trial: one control field with a standard synthetic nitrogen rate, and one test field where we reduced synthetic nitrogen by 50%. On the test field we also used Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro to support the crop. Our goal was clear: could we keep the wheat yield the same, while spending less on fertiliser?
In this blog post we share what happened on those fields, how the bacteria in our products helped, and why we now recommend a safer first step of around a 30% reduction in synthetic nitrogen for normal farm practice.
Cut synthetic nitrogen and keep your yield – is it really possible?
In our wheat trials we halved synthetic nitrogen, kept the same yield as the control field, and reduced fertiliser costs by using Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro. In this blog we share our real test results, why we don’t recommend a full 50% cut for normal farms, and how a safer 30% reduction could work on your fields.
Why We Wanted to Cut Synthetic Nitrogen
Farmers ask us the same question again and again: “Can I cut synthetic nitrogen and still keep my yields?” It’s an important question, because nitrogen is one of the biggest costs on many farms. When prices go up, every extra kilo really hurts the budget.
There is also growing pressure to reduce nitrogen for environmental reasons. Runoff, water quality, new rules and inspections – all of this makes farmers think twice before spreading another load of fertiliser. Many growers want to do the right thing for their soil and the environment, but they cannot risk a big drop in yield.
We also see another problem in the field: in some places it’s already hard or even impossible to apply as much synthetic nitrogen as before, especially near watercourses or in sensitive areas. Farmers are looking for tools that help them use nitrogen more efficiently, not just more of it.
That’s why we decided to run our own trial. We wanted real data from real fields, not just theory. Our aim was simple: to test if we could reduce synthetic nitrogen and use bacterial products to support the crop, so the farmer could keep the yield but lower the fertiliser bill.
How We Set Up the Wheat Trial
To answer this question properly, we needed a clear and simple trial. So we used two fields of wheat:
- Control field: normal farm practice, full rate of synthetic nitrogen
- Test field: 50% less synthetic nitrogen
- Same variety, same soil, same weather – so we could really compare the results
On the control field, we applied the usual rate of synthetic nitrogen, just as most farmers would do in a normal season. This gave us a solid reference point.
On the test field, we cut the synthetic nitrogen rate in half. To support the crop, we used three bacterial products: Bactorol Nitrogen; BactoStym Nitro and RhizoForte. These products contain beneficial bacteria that help the plant access more nitrogen and grow a stronger root system.
Apart from the difference in nitrogen rate and the use of bacterial products, we kept everything else the same: drilling, crop protection, and general management. That way, any difference in yield or crop performance would mainly come from the change in fertiliser strategy.
What Happened When We Cut Synthetic Nitrogen by 50%
When harvest came, we finally saw the answer to our big question. Even though we had cut synthetic nitrogen by 50% on the test field, the wheat yield was the same as on the control field with the full nitrogen rate.
There were no scary drops in yield, no weak patches and no “disaster corners” on the test field. The crop looked strong and even. From a farmer’s point of view, this is the most important result: the combine did not “feel” the difference in nitrogen rate.
Where we did see a clear difference was in the fertiliser bill. With half the synthetic nitrogen, the cost of fertiliser on the test field was much lower than on the control field. In simple terms, we grew the same amount of wheat but spent less money on nitrogen.
For us, this is a very encouraging result. It shows that with the right support from bacterial products, there is real potential to reduce synthetic nitrogen and still protect yield.
How Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro Helped
On the test field we did not just cut synthetic nitrogen and hope for the best. We supported the crop with Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro. The idea was simple: let the bacteria help the plant access more nitrogen and make better use of what is already in the soil.
The bacteria in these products live in the root zone. There they help release and transform nutrients, including nitrogen, so the plant can take them up more easily. In practice, this means the crop gets extra support even when the synthetic nitrogen rate is lower.
During the season, the wheat on the test field looked strong and healthy. The plants held their colour well and built good biomass. We did not see signs of serious nitrogen hunger, even though the synthetic nitrogen rate was cut in half.
Our results suggest that using Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro can help farmers reduce their reliance on synthetic nitrogen while keeping the crop productive. The bacteria do not replace fertiliser completely, but they make it easier to work with lower rates without sacrificing yield.
Why We Don’t Recommend Cutting Synthetic Nitrogen by 50% on Real Farms
Our results were very positive, but we need to be honest and careful. Just because we managed to cut synthetic nitrogen by 50% on a test field does not mean every farmer should do the same next season.
These were trial conditions. We could accept more risk because it was a test, not a whole farm depending on that one field for income. If something went wrong, it would have been disappointing, but not a disaster. For a working farm, a big drop in yield would hurt much more.
Weather, soil type and farm history also play a big role. What worked on our field in this season might not work the same way on a different farm or in a very dry or very wet year. That is why copying a 50% cut in synthetic nitrogen everywhere would be too risky.
Because of this, we do not recommend a 50% reduction in synthetic nitrogen as standard practice. Instead, we see it as a sign that there is real room to reduce nitrogen – but the step farmers take in real life should be smaller and safer.
A Safer First Step: Cut Synthetic Nitrogen by Around 30%
Our trial showed that it is possible to cut synthetic nitrogen quite hard and still keep yield. However, for normal farm practice we believe a smaller, safer step makes much more sense.
Instead of jumping straight to a 50% reduction, we recommend farmers start with around a 30% cut in synthetic nitrogen, supported by products like Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro. This level feels like a good balance between lower costs and manageable risk.
A 30% reduction still gives a clear saving on fertiliser, especially at today’s prices. At the same time, it leaves enough nitrogen in the system to protect yield, while the bacteria help the crop make better use of what is available in the soil.
If you are unsure, you do not need to change the whole farm at once. You can try this approach on a small block or a few tramlines first. Keep the rest of the field at the normal rate as your own control. At harvest, compare yield and crop performance side by side. This way you get real data from your own fields before you make bigger changes.
What This Means for Farmers and Next Steps
Our test fields gave us a clear message: it is possible to cut synthetic nitrogen and still protect yield, as long as you support the crop in the right way. For most farms, the smart move is not a big jump, but a careful, planned step.
If you are thinking about trying this on your own land, here are some simple ideas:
- Start small. Pick a few tramlines or a small block where you cut synthetic nitrogen by around 30%, and use products like Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro to support the crop.
- Keep a control. Always leave a part of the field at your normal nitrogen rate. This gives you a fair comparison at harvest.
- Watch the crop. During the season, look at crop colour, rooting and overall health. Make notes so you can compare with your standard practice.
- Check the numbers. At harvest, compare yield and calculate your fertiliser costs per hectare. This will show you if the new approach helps your margin, not just your nitrogen rate.
If you would like help planning a simple trial on your farm, or if you want to learn more about how our bacterial products work, we are happy to talk. Get in touch with us, and we can look at your current nitrogen plan and suggest a safe way to test a reduction supported by Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro.
KEY FACTS
We cut synthetic nitrogen by 50% on our wheat test field.
The yield was the same as the control field with full synthetic nitrogen.
Fertiliser costs were clearly lower on the reduced-N field.
We used Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro to support the crop.
The wheat stayed strong, green and even, with no “disaster patches”.
This was a test trial, so we do not recommend a 50% cut for normal farms.
Our practical advice is to start with around a 30% reduction in synthetic nitrogen.
Test it first on a small block or a few tramlines against your normal rate.
The goal is simple: same yield, better margins, and less pressure on the environment.
Conclusion: Cutting Synthetic Nitrogen with Less Risk
Our wheat trial showed something very hopeful: with the right biological support, you can cut synthetic nitrogen and still protect your yield. On our test field we cut nitrogen by 50% and kept the same wheat yield as the control field, while spending less on fertiliser.
At the same time, we want to stay realistic and fair. A 50% cut is a big step and is suitable for test plots, not for everyday farm practice. That is why our practical advice for most farmers is to start with around a 30% reduction, supported by products like Bactorol Nitrogen and BactoStym Nitro, and to test this carefully on a small part of the farm first.
In the end, the goal is simple:
- Use nitrogen more efficiently
- Protect yield and margins
- Reduce pressure on the environment
If you would like to explore how this could work on your farm, we are here to help you plan a safe, simple trial and look at the numbers together.
