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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Potassium requirements of pastures on North Island east coast hill country in New Zealand

Jeff D. Morton, Allan Gillingham, Maurice Gray
Completed 2017

Introduction

The effects of potassium (K) (0–160 kg/ha/yr) on soil and pasture were measured in five small plot mowing sites on flat and easy slopes in Hawkes Bay hill country from 2004 to 2007. Initial soil QT K levels ranged from 1.6 to 3.8 at each site and increased to a range of 3.5–11.3 at the highest rate of K in the third year. At most sites, clover cover on some occasions increased up to the highest rate of K. Despite this increase, there was only one significant response in pasture production to K at one site in the third year. Possible reasons for the lack of a total DM production response to K application were more grass growth compensating for less clover growth at the nil and lower rates of K or insufficient transfer of nitrogen from the clover to grasses at higher rates of K.

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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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