A significant fertiliser breakthrough?
Former ACT MP and Federated Farmers president Owen Jennings believes he's come across a new fertilising method in Australia that yields "outstanding results".
The Fertiliser Quality Council (FQC) is really pleased with the response to the webcast launching the program New Zealand Needs Fertiliser and Plants Need Food. It is a short, sharp educational programme aimed at correcting the myths over fertiliser use.
FQC chair Neil Barton says the immediate response of 361 full views, plus a few on Facebook, was great news for the fertiliser industry. In addition the vast majority watched the programme right through.
"For too long we have had the self-styled environmental disciples perpetuating myths about fertiliser and its use," Barton says. "We now have a science-based programme refuting that. The fact that almost 400 New Zealanders decided to watch the launch of the programme, including a motivational address by Prof Rowarth from the University of Waikato Business School, is most heartening.
"Using a webcast also allows us to communicate better with the younger, more technically inclined farmers and council planners who may be unaware of the substantial impact of fertiliser on farming and the economy. The effect that superphosphate has had on pastoral farming post World War 11 is huge. It has enabled soil that can barely support brown top to produce high quality ryegrass, clover pastures.
"New Zealand soils are not naturally fertile and without fertiliser our economy, as we know it, is doomed. Responsible fertiliser use and application has a huge economic benefit and a small environmental footprint.
"The fact that we chose a webcast to launch the initiative also shows our willingness to get a key message across while creating a minimal environmental footprint," Barton says.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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