Standard NBS Format Version 7.0 Released – October 2023

Planners must use NBS Version 7.0 when planning for crop year 2025 and beyond. 

Highlights of these updates include:

1. General Updates
   • Eliminated the Total N method for determining manure nitrogen availability (during the year applied).This includes the selections in the Input Sheets.
   • Updated the buttons in the Input sheets. The delete button can delete multiple fields at once.
   • Updated Program Contacts page.
   • Table 2 worksheet, (previously Table 5). Based on Agronomy Guide Table 1.2-11, this table was updated to eliminate the Total Nitrogen Availability section. The manure residual nitrogen availabilities are still valid from this table.
   • Table 3 worksheet, (previously Table 6). Based on Agronomy Guide Table 1.2-12, this table was revised to clarify both the ammonium and organic nitrogen availabilities for all manure types.

2. Manure Group Input Sheet
   • Dairy was eliminated as one of the manure type selections. Use the Manure Type "Other" for dairy manure.

3. Manure Group Printout Sheet
   • The cells were updated to show an error alert when selections are left blank. The manure group values such as ammonium nitrogen, organic nitrogen and percent solids must be added for the nitrogen availability factors to be calculated based on season of application.

4. NBS Input Sheet and NBS P Index Input Sheet
   • Eliminated Table 1.2-11 manure nitrogen availability selections. All application seasons management selections correlate to Table 1.2-12.  The application management wording was updated to clarify the intended crop.
   • Updated process to account for when no manure is applied to a crop. A pre-programmed manure group of "No Manure Applied" can be selected. This can be used for double crops where manure is only applied to one crop.

5. NBS Summary
   • The update NBS Summary button will automatically group P Index fields first before populating the NBS summary.

6. NBS Transfer of Previous Versions
   • The NBS Version 7.0 can transfer any Version 5.x, 6.x, or 7.0 plan. The previous manure application season and management selections will be converted to the appropriate newly updated application season and management.  The manure types of “Dairy” will be converted to "Other".

7. Table 4 (Uncollected Manure Book Values)
   • A reference table, Table 4, was added that lists uncollected manure book values based on PSU Agronomy Guide Table 1.2-10.

The standard format Excel file: NBS Version 7.0 2023-10 (2007-2019 Excel) is now available on the Nutrient Management Website under planning tools.

If you have any questions regarding the new spreadsheet version, please contact Don Orner at: dgo2@psu.edu or 610-804-0010.