Council congratulates nitrogen trials

Council congratulates nitrogen trials

The Fertiliser Quality Council (FQC) wishes to congratulate the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) for its excellent trials on nitrogen application, including nitrification inhibitors.

FQC chair, Neil Barton, said he was really pleased that accurate scientific work was being undertaken to assess nitrogen application rates and responses.

“This is vital for the future of farming in New Zealand,” Neil Barton said “Being able to assess the most worthwhile application rates of nitrogen in arable crops means farmers will be able to accurately apply the amount of fertiliser to get the best return.

“Further, assessing the effects of nitrification inhibitors allows farmers to use less nitrogen to achieve a similar result. In the case of the FAR trials, the returns from applying 150 kg N/ha with a nitrification inhibitor gave a similar result to the application of 250kg N/ha without the inhibitor. In addition using the nitrogen with the inhibitor was cheaper.

“That means that farmers are able to pursue their goal of sustainability in the knowledge that science has given them the modern tools to achieve that.

“Further, a variety of trials over different soil types enables farmers to be well informed on nitrogen application and the use of inhibitors.

“It is a credit to the arable sector and FAR that the trials have been completed so successfully,” Neil Barton said. “I look forward to seeing the same trials on both dairy farms and sheep and beef units.”

ENDS

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