An answer to fertiliser restrictions

In 2020, the New Zealand Government announced its essential freshwater regulatory requirements, which include a cap on the application of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertiliser to pastoral land.

Under this new legislation all pastoral farmers will need to keep synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use below 190kg N/ha/year from 1st July, 2021. Meeting new synthetic fertiliser cap regulations and minimising environmental impacts, while maintaining profitability — will be challenging for many farmers. But by changing one farming practice, Donaghys N-Boost can help farmers work within the new regulations, whilst continuing to grow the same amount of dry matter and without compromising pasture quality. The N-Boost system has been shown to double the nitrogen response of pasture and maintain the metabolisable energy and other feed quality indicators, while reducing nitrogen use, when compared with applying 40kg of urea alone. With these results, farmers would be able to maintain their stock units and production under the new regulations. There have been 370 pasture and crop trials conducted by 53 independent universities and organisations on N-Boost since 2008. The scientific pasture trials have been peer reviewed in New Zealand and internationally, the results of which have been published in the Journal of Plant Nutrition. Using results from these trials, Donaghys has compared what could happen on an average Canterbury dairy farm, where operators have been applying 240kg N/ha/year, under pre N cap regulations (see www.n-boost.com for details): • If the farm simply reduced its

N application to fall under the cap, we would see a reduction in profit of around $48,000. • If the same farm adopted the

N-Boost system completely and roughly halved their urea use, they would meet the new standards and reduce N leaching by up to 15 percent, while increasing their annual profit by $33,000. A farm doesn’t have to adapt to the system completely to take advantage of the benefits though. If the farm spreads urea at 135kg N/ha/year, and then uses the N-Boost System for 55kg N/ha/ year, the profit increases by $18,500. The N-Boost system can be sprayed onto pasture with a conventional boom sprayer or boom jet after mixing it with dissolved urea in a mixing station, or agitating in a spray tank. By applying N this way we improve the efficiency of uptake, because it is in the plant-available form of ammonium. Studies show that the majority of N can be taken up into the leaf within the first 12 hours after application. Lincoln University found that N-Boost stimulates the plants mitochondria and chloroplasts, which are key for the plants energy storage and production. The reduction in nitrogen could also decrease nitrous oxide emissions, as well as increase clover levels in pasture, which can also lead to potential increases in atmospheric nitrogen-fixation. The N-Boost system can be self-applied or applied by a contractor and incorporated with existing spray applications — allowing multiple product applications at once, saving time and money. Whether its partial or full use, the benefits can be felt throughout the farm business and decreasing environmental impact.

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Donaghys