Get the most out of your fertiliser spend

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 15 October 2009

For immediate release

Get the most out of your fertiliser spend

DairyNZ says it is worth investing in soil tests and independent advice as well as utilising your nutrient budget when it comes to fertiliser application decisions.

“The return from good analysis and advice on determining fertiliser applications is high given that fertiliser is one of the biggest single expense items in a dairy farm budget,” says DairyNZ Development Team Leader Rob Brazendale. “The average New Zealand dairy farmer spent a significant 16% of their 2007/08 farm working expensesᾠon fertiliser according to the 2007/08 DairyNZ Economic Survey. Making sure that every dollar of this spend earns you a return is well worth the effort.

“Fertiliser recommendations need to be fact-based, supported by a nutrient budget, peer-reviewed science trials and soil test information, as well as driven by farm soil type and level of production,” he says. “Whether you are considering withholding fertiliser this season or determining the rate of application, getting independenῴ advice based on sound testing of your farm is well worthwhile.

Farmers should ensure that:

• They are applying nitrogen to meet a forecasted feed deficit and not as insurance only. Use pasture monitoring and feed budgets to determine when nitrogen is required.

• They are getting value. If farmers are paying more for fertiliser than the current rate for nutrients in proven products carefully consider the value you receive versus the alternative. Use the most cost-effective product for the required nutrients. Fertiliser should be costed on the basis of the nutrients that it contains, not `n a per hectare or per tonne basis. Focus on the major nutrients for plant growth and check that these are not limiting “ phosphate (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S)

• They test effluent areas separately, do a nutrient budget and only add nutrients if they are deficient. This will not only save money but prevent the risk of nutrients being lost.

“These are useful rules of thumb”, says Rob. “However, your fertiliser plan deserves the time and effort to get a sound, fact based recommendation for your farm. Your local fertiliser representative has decision-support models that combined with comprehensive soil testing, can provide sound advice on the economic consequences forᾠa range of fertiliser strategieῳ.

For further information contact your local fertiliser representative or visit the fertiliser fact sheet on the Tight Management page in the DairyNZ website: www.dairynz.co.nz/tightmanagement.

Fertiliser use is part of the discussion at your monthly local Tight Management farm event. Visit the DairyNZ website to find the date of the next event in your area.

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ABOUT DAIRYNZ
DairyNZ is the industry good organisation representing New Zealand’s dairy farmers. Funded by a levy on milksolids, our purpose is to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming. We deliver value to farmers through leadership, influencing, investing, partnering with other organisations and through our own strategic capability. Our work inΰludes research and development to create practical on-farm tools, leading on-farm adoption of best practice farming, promoting careers in dairying and advocating for farmers with central and regional government. For more information, visit www.dairynz.co.nz

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