Resources for Fertiliser Advisors
Topics
2 min read
You're at the heart of the dairy sector, connecting farmers and the wider industry. As a fertiliser advisor, your expertise already drives nutrient planning and paddock performance. This hub supports your broader farm systems knowledge and offers tools and resources to help you advise confidently on feed demand, pasture management, and seasonal planning.
Your go-to tools and resources are here
If you are short on time, start with these quick links to the most used resources.
-
Reducing N loss
Explore more on how to reduce nitrogen loss, improve fertiliser efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, enhance water quality, meet regulatory requirements, and strengthen farm businesses.
-
Gibberellic Acid
Use this page alongside your own tools to reinforce best practice and help farmers understand when and how gibberellic acid can be most effective.
-
Nitrate Poisoning
Read how nitrate transforms to nitrite in the cow's rumen and binds to haemoglobin in the blood, stopping it from carrying oxygen, which can lead to rapid death.
What's timely
Ground your nitrogen advice in a clear next step
Use the catch crops webpage and resources to add a clear, practical option to your conversations about managing nitrogen loss after grazing. It gives you something tangible to bring to the table when you’re talking through high-risk paddocks and where catch crops could make the biggest difference.
Read more on Catch Crops here, or compare gross margins and costs using the catch crop gross margin calculator.
Explore more tools to strengthen your advice and support farmers
Stay up to date on policy and advocacy
Stay up to date with DairyNZ’s advocacy efforts and the latest policy developments affecting fertiliser use and farm planning. This includes key government-led initiatives such as the Freshwater Farm Plans, which aim to support farmers in managing environmental risks, and the Nitrogen Cap. Read more on policy changes and advocacy below.
Connect fertiliser performance with pasture performance
Help farmers get more from their pasture with tools that support fertiliser decisions. Use the Pasture Renewal Guide, Pasture and Crop Eaten Calculator, and Pasture Damage Score Guide to assess performance, plan recovery, and align nutrient inputs with paddock needs.
Unlock insights shaping fertiliser decisions with these podcasts
A curated selection you'll find both relevant and thought-provoking for your role.
See on-farm success in action with these case studies
Trying different forages for reduced nitrate leaching
Brent and Maryn are arable farmers from Mayfield. They were part of a network of farmers in Canterbury who contributed to the direction of FRNL’s research, influenced priorities, shared experiences and provided a practical check to research.
Reducing nitrogen loss while maintaining profit with a low input farm system
The Everest family own a farm in Longbeach, Hinds, with heavy soils leading to low N loss. They've made strides in using a low-intensity system and efficient irrigation to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and N loss.
Considering a compost barn to reduce N loss
Alderbrook Farms, located northwest of Rakaia.They're achieving their goal of a 30% reduction in nitrogen losses. As part of DairyNZ’s sustainability project, they're considering a composting barn system for Karetu to further reduce nitrogen losses.
Looking for something else?
Explore the links below to return to the Rural Professional Hub, contact your local area manager, explore current research, or sign up for updates on upcoming events, resources, and insights to support your work with farmers.
