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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.
Dairy farmers milking cows on a farm area of more than 20 hectares are required to record synthetic nitrogen use on their dairy platform land, including a zero-kilogram record if no synthetic nitrogen is used. The regulations require data to be submitted by 31 July of each year for the preceding year ended 30 June.
Regional and unitary councils have been working with Ravensdown and Ballance to deliver a consistent method for storing and reporting the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser data in line with the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater 2020.
There are three tools available to help farmers report. It is a farmer’s choice which tool they use to help them comply with the Regulations.
The three tools that farmers can choose from to submit records of synthetic nitrogen use are:
In the first year of recording the data have revealed the following information:
Based on feedback from farmers and councils the tools have been enhanced for 2023. The changes for 2023 include:
The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand and Dairy NZ funded development of the Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme (NMACP). This industry-wide certification aims to ensure that advisers have the learning, experience and capability to give sound nutrient advice.
27 March 2024
FANZ is dedicated to funding research and developing New Zealand’s agricultural research capability by supporting PhD research such as the work of Massey University student Nicola Wilson who is undertaking research on ‘What Hot Water Extractable Carbon and Nitrogen can tell us about changes in labile soil Carbon and Nitrogen.’
1 March 2024
The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand recently updated its Fertiliser Use on New Zealand Dairy Farms booklet to ensure farmers get the best value from fertiliser applied and to align the advice with the Code of Practice for Fertiliser Nutrient Management.
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