Nutrient study by EW, Fonterra, DairyNZ and Ballance

A new study designed to better understand links between farming practices and nutrient losses to the environment is being carried out jointly by Environment Waikato, Fonterra, DairyNZ and fertiliser company Ballance Agri-nutrients.

Nutrients from farming operations, such as nitrogen and phosphorus can have significant impacts on water quality, so reducing nutrient run-off and leaching can help prevent such problems. Farmers need to become more efficient in their use of nutrients on the farm, as both business bottom lines and the environment will benefit from maximising retention of nutrients on the farm.

The Upper Waikato nutrient efficiency study, involving 10 dairy, and four sheep, beef and deer farms in South Waikato, aims to better understand how nutrients farm farms are lost from the root zone of pasture, as well as the practices used by efficient farmers to minimise these losses.

The study – costing just under $70,000 – will build on work carried out by Environment Waikato and AgResearch in two South Waikato catchments in 2007/08 which looked at ways farmers could reduce nutrient loss to the environment whilst remaining profitable.

“Our new joint project in the Upper Waikato River catchment will look at the farm systems on the 14 properties, and assess the financial implications of reducing nutrient losses to ground and surface water,” said Ross Abercrombie, EW’s integrated catchment management corordinator.

“When farmers are investigating improvements on farm they have to consider their costs. This study will take into account both the environmental and economic aspects of reducing nutrient loss.”

DairyNZ sustainability team leader Mike Scarsbrook said he welcomed the opportunity for pan-industry collaboration. “By sharing this work with our industry partners – Fonterra and Ballance, as well as EW – we can jointly come to a united understanding of nutrient loss issues and their implications, and ensure that our future policies are based on sound science.”

Fonterra’s environmental programme manager Charlotte Rutherford said the Upper Waikato River catchment was significant for the co-op as it contained almost 700 of its suppliers. “We plan to do full nutrient management plans with our farmers in the area within the next 18 months and this study will help us give better advice that will help farmers improve their performance in this area.”

Ballance Agri Nutrients Head of Agro-Sciences Warwick Catto said the fertiliser industry is moving from basic nutrient budgeting into more detailed nutrient management plans for farmers. “During these tough economic times managing nutrients profitably, and in a way that protects the environment better, is becoming increasingly important. We’re keen to play our part in developing solutions.”

The Upper Waikato study is being carried out by farm consultancy AgFirst Waikato Ltd, which successfully tendered for the project. The project is expected to be completed by the end of August.