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.

Read more

Nutrient management planner

Our interactive nutrient management plan (NMP) template can be used or adapted to suit your circumstances. Please familiarise yourself with our Code of Practice before using it.

The below diagram sets out the steps involved in preparing and using the nutrient management plan template.

A good NMP:

  • ensures that nutrient management meets all legal and industry requirements
  • includes a nutrient budget which compares nutrient inputs from all sources with all nutrient outputs
  • achieves desired changes in nutrient levels and production (e.g. increasing soil fertility from a poor base to support a higher stock carrying capacity; altering soil nutrient status to suit future crops)
  • minimises the cost of supplying nutrients and avoids wasted spending on unnecessary or unused nutrients
  • minimises the risk of damage to the environment
  • considers the land manager’s personal objectives.

Download our Nutrient Management Planner

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.

Find out more

Foundation for Arable Research seek harvest samples for crop nutrient project

12 February 2025

Arable growers are being invited to supply samples of their harvested crops as part of a Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) project, which will help determine how well they are managing their biggest input - fertiliser.
Analysing New Zealand’s Agricultural Phosphorus Budget

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.

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