24 JANUARY 2013
Further DCD Research Key
Further research is the key to developing nitrification inhibitors which help farmers reduce environmental impacts while
meeting potential international trade requirements, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Research and Development Manager Warwick
Catto said today.
His comments follow the voluntary suspension of sales and application of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD)
on farmland in response to the detection of the occasional presence of low levels of DCD in dairy products. Both major
fertiliser co-operatives have announced the suspension until further notice.
“We still have every confidence in the potential for nitrification inhibitors to play an important role in helping New
Zealand farmers to operate within nutrient loss limits.
“While our nitrification inhibitor product DCn has been a small part of our portfolio we remain confident that continued
research will result in the development of a nitrification inhibitor solution which delivers environmental benefits,
meets international requirements and is supported by robust science.”
Mr Catto said Ballance had not sold DCn since July 2012 and had not promoted its use on pastures since late 2010. This
means that only a handful of Ballance customers have recently used the product. As a precautionary measure Ballance will
not reintroduce any DCD-based products to the market until the potential international trade issue of milk residues is
mitigated.
Ballance ceased sales of DCn in early spring 2012 to review the product and its applications, and incorporated it into
its $32 million research and development programme aimed at reducing nutrient and greenhouse gas losses through more
efficient fertilisers and next generation nitrification inhibitors.
“This is in line with our science-based approach and emphasis on continual evolution of our product and service
offerings to meet the needs of New Zealand farmers.
“Our research is partially funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries through their Primary Growth Partnership and
our work on nitrification inhibitor developments will take into account potential international trade concerns regarding
residues in milk products,” says Mr Catto.
Mr Catto says that Ballance strongly supports all moves to protect New Zealand’s reputation for quality food and
believes that all products used in food production must be backed by sound science and ongoing research.
Background
Ballance has manufactured and sold a dicyandiamide (DCD) nitrification inhibitor product, since 2004. Originally branded
n-care, it was rebranded as DCn in 2007.
In DCn the active ingredient is absorbed into a granule. These DCn granules can be applied directly to the soil using
correctly calibrated fertiliser spreading equipment.
Applied to pasture and forage crops to target urine, dung and fertiliser emissions, use of nitrification inhibitors can
improve water quality, reduce production of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide and increase pasture growth.
ENDS