Book excerpt: Formerly entitled, the "Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops", the 8th edition has now been renamed the "Fertiliser Manual" (ISBN 9780112432869). Farming is an important feature of our way of life. It shapes the landscape we enjoy, provides much of our food and is a vital part of maintaining and improving a healthy, thriving and diverse natural environment. The agricultural sector faces a number of challenges. Demand for crops will increase as the global population rises. However, agricultural practices including the use of fertilisers have the potential to damage the natural environment by polluting water courses, releasing greenhouse gases and ammonia to the air and by damaging the soil. This manual aims to help farmers and land managers better assess the fertiliser required for the range of crops they plan to grow, by suggesting what level of nutrients are required to provide the best financial return for the farm business. The manual aims to help ensure that proper account is taken of both mineral fertilisers and other sources of nutrients such as manures and slurries.