Quality assurance fertiliser scheme into spreading

Media release from Fertmark Society Inc.

Quality assurance fertiliser scheme moves into spreading

Farmers have cause to celebrate with the integration of two fertiliser quality assurance schemes announced at the Federated Farmers conference in Rotorua today.

Fertiliser quality assurance scheme Fertmark will develop the spreading programme Spreadmark in association with the New Zealand Groundspread Fertiliser Association, which will enable farmers and growers to get the best value for their fertiliser dollar.

Launched by chair of the Primary Production Select Committee, Damien O'Connor, the move to integrate the schemes has approval from the whole fertiliser industry, including farmers, manufacturers and spreader operators.

Fertmark executive director Kevin Geddes says with estimated agronomic losses of $50 million each year, due to fertiliser misplacement, the new scheme is great news for farmers.

"Correct placement of quality assured fertiliser has potential financial benefit to farmers and growers in terms of higher yields," Mr Geddes says. "At the same time it helps protect the environment from the undesirable side effects of poor fertiliser spreading. The farming industry is doing something positive for the environment.

"More than two million tonnes of fertiliser is bought and applied to pastures and crops in New Zealand each year which is a huge financial input. Farmers need assurances that the fertiliser they buy is the best for their pastures and that it will be placed evenly and at the correct rate."

Consumers also gain in the move as quality assured fertiliser placement conforms to other food safety assurance systems.

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For further information contact: Kevin Geddes Executive Director, Fertmark Ph: 03 307 8148 or 025 203 3437

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