This paper analyses the effects of advisory services regarding the use of nutrients in Swedish agriculture on nutrient balances and farms’ finances. The key to our research design is that consultation varies between counsellors (some counsellors give more consultation than others), which leads to random variation in “treatment”. We find that counselling affects nutrient utilisation, which possibly reduces leakages and eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. A large and positive impact on farms value added implies that the net benefit from the advisory services is positive. The improvements is mainly due to better land management practises so that more efficient use of fertilizers increases crop production and thereby decreases the nitrogen balance.