28 April 2016
Expect more gains in nutrient management says Ballance
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is confident that Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord targets around nutrient data collection and
efficiency reporting will continue to lift as more farmers understand the direct benefits to their farms and their
OVERSEER® nutrient budgets.
Commenting on the release of Accord results yesterday, Ballance CEO Mark Wynne said that while results had fallen short
of targets for nutrient management data and the reporting back of nutrient efficiency information, good progress is
being made.
The target is for all dairy farms to provide quality nutrient management data. Progress is currently sitting at 75
percent, up from 56 percent last year.
“It’s a challenging area, as the results report acknowledges, with not all farmers able to provide the information
required within deadlines. But we know from our own work that when farmers can make practical use of the information
they get, they see real value in it.”
Ballance had committed to the Accord and had invested significant resources in interpreting farm data into the nutrient
efficiency performance reports made available to farmers.
“As a co-op, we understand we can add a lot of value to information if we work collaboratively which is why we partnered
up with DairyNZ, Dairy Women’s Network, Fonterra, Miraka, Synlait and Tatua last year to run a series of national
workshops to help farmers come to grips with their nitrogen reports and give them practical advice on how to enhance
their nutrient efficiency. We know from feedback that farmers gained a more positive view of the Accord and were keen on
improving their reporting. We intend to keep running this programme as a way to lift the Accord results and ultimately
water quality in New Zealand.”
Since signing the Accord, Ballance had established a team of nutrient budgeting specialists to support farmers and
Accord partners. It had met targets around certified nutrient advisers and had plans in place to increase the number of
certified professionals. It’s $19.5 million Clearview Innovations Primary Growth Partnership programme with the Ministry
for Primary Industries was also developing practical tools to manage nutrient loss risk.
“We’ve developed specific products to improve nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency and reduce losses to the environment.
For example our MitAgator software ties in with OVERSEER® to identify areas on farm that are at high risk of these
losses and enables management strategies to be modelled, right down to part of a paddock.
“We’ve also developed a new system to interpret soil tests which is exclusive to us, and enables our people to predict
nitrogen pasture responses so farmers know in advance what pasture and production gains they will get. This is all about
using less fertiliser for better results so it’s a win for farm budgets and the environment.
“It’s practical tools like these, based on strong science which will be key to delivering the environmental gains the
Accord wants to achieve,” said Wynne.
ends