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The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand promotes and encourages responsible and scientifically-based nutrient management.
‘Code specific’ objectives apply to all users of this Code and primarily cover environmental management. Other aspects of this Code link these to production goals. These objectives should be used when following this Code. Not all of the objectives will apply to every property but all should be considered and adopted where they do. For example, all properties will have to meet objectives 1 and 2 but some will find that objective 5 is not relevant because the land does not have any significant (extensive, native) vegetation areas or wildlife habitat. Where a Code specific objective is not applied in the NMP, you should explain the reason for that decision.
‘Property management objectives’ are part of a nutrient management plan. These typically have a production focus (e.g. “To grow an average of 15,000 kg DM/ha/year on irrigated pasture areas” or “To achieve Olsen P of minimum 25 in all tested paddocks”) but may also include environmental perspectives (e.g. “To enhance Pukeko habitat along Wandery creek”), and social perspectives (e.g. “To take at least one month’s holiday each year”).
Appropriate fertiliser applications will depend on what the land manager is trying to achieve on the property. It is important to know what levels of performance are required before making fertiliser decisions. Is the manager attempting to hold or increase production? Will pasture or crops change in future? If so, do nutrient levels need to be altered over time to suit? The answers to these questions will help set the property management objectives.
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.
17 February 2021
New publication showcasing Seventy years of data from the world's longest grazed and irrigated pasture trials, provides an invaluable data resource to help guide farming practices.
9 December 2020
Aqualinc has been awarded the Irrigation New Zealand Innovation in Irrigation Award for 2020, in recognition of their work for the Fertiliser Association on N-Wise irrigation strategies.
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