North Canterbury News: August 12, 2021

FERTILISER
North Canterbury News, August 12, 2021
33
Tips for meeting new nitrogen
The Government­imposed nitrogen cap,
which requires farmers to apply no more
than 190kg of nitrogen per hectare ayear
took effect last month.
The new rules require farmers to
record synthetic nitrogen fertiliser
applications from July 1onwards and
report this to their regional council in
July next year.
DairyNZ has been monitor the change
on behalf of impacted farmers.
‘‘We don’t support the cap as it imposes
unnecessary regulatory compliance costs
on farmers and councils, and we believe
there are better ways to achieve the same
improvements in water quality,’’
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle
said.
‘‘We’ve been advocating that the
Government take apractical approach to
the farmer reporting requirements.’’
Dr Mackle said their were several ways
farmers could reduce nitrogen fertiliser
use, which can contribute to better water
quality and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
What do Ineed to do?
Understanding the new regulations
and how they apply to your farm is an
important first step and DairyNZ
encourages farmers to discuss it with a
trusted farm adviser or aDairyNZ
consulting officer.
Knowing how much synthetic nitrogen
fertiliser was applied last year over each
hectare or paddock of the farm allows
you to calculate how much you need to
reduce your application by.
Having good systems in place for
recording the tonnages of all nitrogen
applied on farm and the area it was
applied to will make reporting to the
regional council easier.
Farmers are encourage to create aplan
to meet the 190kg N/ha cap.
Those exceeding the cap can apply for
aresource consent.
Some Canterbury farmers have
successfully reduced their nitrogen
applications without compromising
pasture growth or profit through
involvement in the Forages for Reduced
Nitrate Leaching research programme.
More information about the
programme and tips for farmers can be
found on the DairyNZ website.
Successful transition requires
planning and time.
It is best to do it gradually, rather than
in one big step especially if the reduction
is bigger than 50­60kg N/ha/yr).
Several farmers have successfully
reduced nitrogen applications from more
than 300kg N/ha/yr to 200­230kg N/ha/yr,
but over athree­year period.
It is important that clover has time to
re­establish and the additional nitrogen
fixed, from increased clover growth, is
available to the grass, to compensate for
the lower nitrogen from fertiliser,
DairyNZ says.
Time is also required to ensure
management systems are in place to
accommodate the changes.
If you are using more than 190kg N/ha/
yr, you need to act now to minimise any
impacts on your system, while complying
with regulation.
Dr Tim Mackle
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New limits ... The new nitrogen cap took effect last month.
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