N-Sensor First In New Zealand

N-Sensor First In New Zealand

State-of-the-art technology which has the potential to save farmers money as well as benefit the environment is currently being trialled in Te Awamatu.

One of only two N-Sensors in the Southern Hemisphere, and the only one in New Zealand, was installed by Norsk Hydro representative Axel Link assisted by Ballance Agro-sciences representatives Warwick Catto and Andrew Reid recently for contractor John Austin in Te Awamutu.

Andrew Reid explains, "The N-Sensor is an attachment for a tractor with a variable rate fertiliser spreader behind which scans the crop for N requirement and alters the rate of nitrogen applied by the spreader.

"This means the farmer can target where nitrogen is needed rather than blanket dressing. And if N is not being applied where it is not needed, that's good for the environment too."

John Austin is "rapt" with the equipment Andrew says.

"We'll be monitoring its performance over the next couple of months," he says, "to ensure it performs to expectations. It's very exciting technology with great potential for New Zealand farmers."

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