Good Fertiliser Application Practice

Introduction

There are many tools to help farmers identify what nutrient inputs are requiredfor specific crops e.g. OVERSEER, Wheat Calculator andAmaizeN. Knowing what should be done (the correct amount, timing and placement) is important.

Ensuring the target dose is actually being delivered by fertiliser spreadersand fertigationequipment is important too.And community expectations makedemonstration of efficient resource use and adoption of best management practice essential.

The overall process can be summarised as:

Project aims

We aim to complement the use of sophisticated crop models for accurate prediction of input requirements (step one above) with a programme of activities to ensure that actual inputs on farm match predicted need and are amenable to easy verification (steps 2 -4).

We believe that steps 2-4 have been relatively neglected and offer potential for significant improvement in both productivity and environmental outcomes. In more detail we propose to:

  • review available protocols to guide on-farm calibration of fertiliser applicators;
  • adopt, adapt or develop suitable protocols with wide multi-sector relevance;
  • develop a user-friendly smart phone application and a web-based data analysis and reporting tool;
  • establish current practice and good practice benchmarks;
  • provide training to develop awareness of and capability in calibration and reporting
  • provide outputs for integration into industry Good Agricultural Practice programmes.

Background

A simplified irrigation calibration protocol, IRRIG8 Quick, developed by Page Bloomer Associates has been adopted by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, the Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Scheme (among others) and some dairy effluent irrigation operators.

A similar process (CALIBR8 Quick?) can be developed to guide and record results of on-farm fertiliser application equipment. While numerous types of applicator are used, the principles are the same, and a small number of standardised guidelines would cover almost all systems.

Providing a user-friendly application would facilitate simple data analysis. Ideally this would include optimisation for “smart phones”, the computers most used in agriculture, especially in the field. A web-link would allow for benchmarking and opportunity for printable report generation.

Combining a GPS trail with calibration results would generate an application map. This would identify areas of over and under application and raise awareness of the importance of equipment set up and operation. Whole-field performance indicators could be determined.

Work Programme

This is perceived as a four year staged project, culminating in review of industry sector reports from Good Agricultural Practice systems such as New Zealand GAP. Estimated cost $150,000 per year.

Year 1

  • Catalogue fertiliser application equipment types in use
  • Develop standard performance indicators and on-farm calibration protocols
  • Test protocols against standard equipment calibration practice
  • Develop software tools to facilitate easy calculation, analysis and reporting
  • Perform on-farm calibrations for different applicator types across sectors across the country

Year 2

  • Continue on-farm calibrations across sectors and the country
  • Review equipment tracking options to record applicator travel paths
  • Develop software to combine calibration test data with GPS trail to generate fertiliser application maps
  • Develop a performance data base to benchmark against performance indicators
  • Review protocols

Year 3

  • Run training workshops with farmers and industry people across sectors and the country
  • Enhance software to link to national/industry databases and receive benchmark reports
  • Develop links with industry Good Agricultural Practice programmes

Year 4

  • Review industry Good Agricultural Practice returns
  • Review protocols and training programmes to address any issues identified
  • Continue training workshops

Contact

  • Dan Bloomer, LandWISE. Mobile 021 356 801
  • Roger Williams, FAR. Mobile 027 382 83387