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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Impact of the Fertiliser N/ha Limit on Dairy Farms

Phil Journeaux, AgFirst
Completed June 2020

Introduction

In May 2020, the government announced its decisions to introduce new rules and regulations for freshwater management under the Action for Healthy Waterways package. One of the proposed regulations is to cap synthetic nitrogen fertiliser application on pastoral land-use at 190kg N/ha/yr.

This report was commissioned to provide an initial assessment of the potential impact of this new cap on nitrogen fertiliser use on pastoral farms. The report suggests that 32% of dairy farms which apply nitrogen fertiliser could be impacted by the cap, many of these in Canterbury.

Modelling for Canterbury irrigated dairy farms suggests a 13.9% reduction in earnings (before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization - EBITDA). This reduction in earnings will be associated with a 6.6% reduction in nitrogen leaching.

We expect that many of these farms will already have strict requirements on nitrogen use set by the Regional Council to control nitrogen losses from the farm system. In fact, industry guidelines have always recommended caution on farms that apply more than 200 kg N/ha.

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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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