11th November 2019
Spreadmark, the nutrient spreading standard, can help farmers meet environmental regulations
The New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers Association (NZGFA) is encouraging farmers and contractors to look to
Spreadmark to help mitigate environmental risk when spreading fertiliser and other nutrients.
Spreadmark is New Zealand’s fertiliser and nutrient spreading standard. Internationally recognised by JAS-ANZ (the Joint
Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand), its objective is to ensure that fertiliser is accurately placed in
locations where it can be of the most agricultural benefit and least environmental harm.
The call from the NZGFA comes as members from across the organisation’s seven regional branches report that the downturn
in farmer confidence is causing some farmers to hold off buying fertiliser - until they figure out how best to tackle
their environmental responsibilities.
John Schultz, NZGFA President, says ground spreaders who are accredited to the Spreadmark scheme can help farmers
navigate the environmental regulations when it comes to applying fertiliser and other nutrients. “Farmers are not alone
in this. Spreadmark spreaders have been mitigating environmental risk for nearly 25 years, since the standard was
developed.”
He explains that Spreadmark requires accredited ground spreaders to have certified spreading machinery, highly trained
operators and independently audited quality management systems to ensure that farmer/grower outcomes are met and that
environmental sustainability is maintained.
“Spreadmark accredited ground spreaders use sophisticated GPS technology to ensure the precise application of fertiliser
and nutrients. Importantly, this technology provides proof of placement and facilitates accurate record keeping to
fulfill compliance requirements.”
Mr Schultz explains that proof of fertiliser and nutrient placement will increasingly become sought-after by authorities
and food processing companies, as environmental regulations tighten and auditing in the primary sector escalates.
Using a Spreadmark registered ground spreader is most effective when farmers/growers use Fertmark-approved fertiliser.
Fertmark is a voluntary quality assurance scheme that independently verifies fertiliser to ensure that what the
manufacturer declares is in the product is true to label.
• Overseen by the Fertiliser Quality Council, alongside Fertmark, Spreadmark is already recognised as a valuable
benchmark by regional councils and food processing companies. Synlait, for example, requires suppliers wanting to join
its premium quality programme (Lead With Pride) to use only Spreadmark accredited ground spreaders.
• The NZGFA was established in 1956 to promote and protect the interests of both individuals and companies
operating in the ground spread industry. While much has changed over the last 63 years, ground spreading remains the
first vital step in the food supply chain. The Association believes that as industry looks more and more at fertiliser
application, so ground spreaders will become known for the role they play in promoting best practice within the primary
industry.
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