‘Bad spread job can cost $60 a ha’
The Fertiliser Quality Council, (FQC), has released an on-line video clip (www.fertqual.co.nz) on the benefits of precise spreading of ethical fertilisers.
THE FERTILISER Quality Council (FQC) says there are now 88 Spreadmark accredited spreading companies in New Zealand.
FCQ chairman Neil Barton says the 88 qualified operators work in all parts of rural New Zealand.
“Using a Spreadmark operator is a no-brainer” Barton says. “Massey University research has shown in great detail the huge cost to farmers of irregular spreading.
“The accuracy of Spreadmark spreaders ensures farmers get what they pay for – fertiliser on the paddock, at the rate required and not on the neighbour’s farm, in rivers or on the road.”
To become Spreadmark accredited, a company must have their machines regularly tested by qualified, independent auditors. The drivers are trained to a high level in classroom and on paddock.
The spreading patterns are tracked by GPS and a printout provided showing where the fertiliser has been spread. In addition to this, the company must have robust business systems also independently audited.
Spreadmark is accurate; in conjunction with Fertmark it utilises quality product and it is environmentally friendly, Barton says.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
A leading financial and banking advisor says he doubts if most dairy farmers fully understand the dynamics of banking.
Dairy farmers are shoring up their balance sheets, with almost $1.7 billion of debt repaid in the six months to March 2025.
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
A former Fonterra executive is the new chair of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
OPINION: A last-minute compromise ensured that the election of the new Federated Farmers national dairy chair wasn't a repeat of…
OPINION: Just as it's healthy for cockies to get out of the shed and off the farm occasionally to get…