Feeding the world’s growing population

New Zealand’s reputation as a quality food producer is growing.

Optimising food production

Over the next 50 years farmers around the world will need to produce more food than has been grown over the past 10,000 years.

Best use from a limited resource

Fertiliser helps farmers produce food efficiently by replenishing the soil. But fertiliser needs to be used responsibly.

Responsible and sustainable nutrient management

The Fertiliser Association invests in research and tools to ensure farm profitability while minimising nutrient losses to the environment.

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand promotes and encourages responsible and scientifically-based nutrient management.

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Economic benefit of reducing the coefficient of variation of fertiliser application

AgFirst Waikato – Phil Journeaux
Completed 2018

Introduction

This analysis investigates the economic impacts of varying the coefficient of variation of fertiliser application (CV – essentially the evenness of the spread of fertiliser), and its subsequent impact on farm profitability. It is based on published research relating CV to changes in pasture DM production, which was used to model a representative North Island Hill Country sheep and beef farm and Waikato/Bay of Plenty dairy farm, within Farmax. Subject to the assumptions made, it showed, that for a representative North Island hill country sheep and beef farm, increasing CVs above 40% had an impact on dry matter production and subsequently on farm profitability. For the representative Waikato/Bay of Plenty dairy farm, increasing CVs above 50% had an impact on dry matter production and subsequently on farm profitability.

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The paper was presented at Massey University, Palmerston North, Fertilizer & Lime Research Centre’s 31st annual workshop: Farm environment planning Science, policy and practice (Eds L. D. Currie and C. L. Christensen, Occasional Report No. 31).

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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.

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3 July 2024

An interest in farm sustainability and sustainable fertiliser management was the key driver behind Massey University student Theané de Klerk’s decision to focus her Master’s degree on New Zealand’s agricultural phosphorus budget. Theané is one of three students that the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand is currently supporting.

26 June 2024

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand have updated our Fertiliser Use on New Zealand Sheep and Beef Farms booklet.

The booklet provides clear and concise information on key aspects of soil fertility and nutrient management for productive drystock farming. 

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