New Zealand fertiliser quality on the increase

New Zealand fertiliser quality on the increase

The Fertiliser Quality Council (FQC) has reported an increase in the number of fertiliser and lime companies in the Fertmark program from 12 to 14. In addition there is an increase in the number of registered Fertmark products, from 77 to 81. A full list of the companies and products is available on the FQC website, www.fqc.co.nz

FQC chair Neil Barton said it was pleasing that additional companies had seen the benefit of being Fertmark registered. That meant any fertiliser product was given a full and rigorous quality audit to determine its effectiveness.

“If a fertiliser has the Fertmark tick then farmers can rest assured that what’s on the label is in the bag,” Neil Barton said. “It is a credit to the fertiliser companies that they are prepared for their products to undergo such a rigorous audit. Farmers should support them by only purchasing Fertmark fertilisers.

“With the number of fertilisers now fully audited under the Fertmark scheme farmers have no excuse not to use them. As a farmer myself I know how we can’t waste a cent on anything. Applying ineffective fertilisers, however, can cost thousands

“The FQC was set up by farmers for farmers. The fact that the entire industry has supported both Fertmark and the spreading standard, Spreadmark, shows a progressive and responsible body.

“New Zealand can be justly proud of its ethical fertiliser and spreading industries,” Neil Barton said.

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