Feeding the world’s growing population
New Zealand’s reputation as a quality food producer is growing.
The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand promotes and encourages responsible and scientifically-based nutrient management.
Updated: Tiered Fertiliser Management System (TFMS)
You can now find a revised version of the TFMS under the 'Tools' section of our website.
The TFMS is a system for controlling the choice and rate of phosphate fertiliser application depending on the soil cadmium concentration. The tiers represent soil cadmium levels ranging from natural background levels up to a maximum threshold. Above the threshold there should be no further accumulation of cadmium unless there is a detailed site-specific investigation to identify risks and pathways for potential harm.
The objective of the TFMS is that soil cadmium accumulation rates are managed so that soil cadmium remains below the upper limit (of 1.8 mg Cd/kg soil) over at least the next 100 years. It achieves this by managing rates of soil accumulation, which are reduced as soil cadmium increases. Regardless of soil cadmium level, plant uptake should be managed appropriately to limit plant and animal cadmium levels to recognised standards.
This TFMS is an integral part of the Cadmium Management Strategy. It was revised in 2019 following a review of the Cadmium Management Strategy.
