SFF Project Summary
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Updated: 15 October 2008
Latest updateNewsletters:
Related documents:- Wise Use of N-Fertiliser on Hill Country Pastures
- What is water quality and how it can be
maintained? [
PDF
191K] - What is the OVERSEER nutrient budget
programme? [PDF
210K]
- Wise use of N website
- What is best
management practice for N Fertiliser use? [PDF
154K]
- How does N
Fertiliser affect soil pH? [PDF
154K
]
- How does
N Fertiliser affect clover growth and N fixation? [PDF
140K
]
- Which N Fertiliser should I
use? [PDF
255K
]
- Which N Fertiliser
gives the best Bang for my Buck? [PDF
174K
]
Project Description
The objective of the project is to demonstrate the wise use of fertiliser nitrogen (N) under commercial conditions in a range of hill farming situations in order to encourage practices that enhance long-term farm profitability whilst minimising potential detrimental environmental effects.
The Issue/Opportunity:
Greater use of fertiliser nitrogen has the potential to result in “step change” in hill country profitability, through driving increases in pasture production rate and utilisation; changes in seasonality of pasture production; and increases in stocking rates, per animal performance and timing of product supply. Small increases in N-use will require only minor changes in farm systems, whereas substantial increases may require major system redesign. Increased nitrogen use can also lead to greater nitrate leaching to ground water and streams, and increased emissions of nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas) to the atmosphere. There is a need for balancing the economic and environmental consequences of increased nitrogen fertiliser use.
The Context/Background:
Hill farmers continue to intensify their production systems to maintain and improve their profitability in the face of long-term declining terms of trade for products. Fertiliser N-use offers farmers the potential to increase seasonal and total feed supply, with potential end-results being more forage utilised per hectare, increased animal production per hectare, and increased farm profitability. The farm profitability increase becomes particularly compelling when the full cost of capital (including the opportunity cost of owning land) is taken into account. Consideration of the options of use of the existing capital base to produce more forage per hectare as compared to further land purchase to raise whole farm production, leads many consultants and farmers to the conclusion that intensification is potentially more profitable than extensification.
Fertiliser N-use has been steadily increasing in New Zealand in recent years, and the rate of increase is rising i.e. the trend into the future is for exponential increases in N-application. Some hill farmers are considering N-fertiliser in a strategic rather than tactical sense i.e. substantial annual applications are becoming routine inputs to their forage supply systems, rather than use of infrequent relatively small applications to bridge cool-season feed-gaps when they occur. Elementary calculations suggest that generation of extra feed through fertiliser N application at a cost of <10 cents/kg DM can be highly profitable where returns from enhanced animal production are >10 cents/kg DM consumed. This of course assumes high levels of utilisation of feed generated and suitably responsive animals, but not withstanding the complexities of ensuring these conditions are met, the potential clearly exists for increased profitability through increased use of fertiliser nitrogen.
The possibility of higher rates of N-use has sparked an interest in the potential environmental consequences. Many farmers and policy agencies have serious reservations that need discussion and resolution. The “dirty dairying” label aimed at the dairy industry in recent years has been unfortunate, and it is important that the opportunity for similar campaigns to be mounted is minimised in the future. Poorly managed fertiliser N use in hill country has the potential to result in such a campaign being mounted in the sheep & beef industry. Research suggests hill soils may be a relatively “safe” place to use fertiliser N at least in the short and medium term, but questions are being asked e.g. what constitutes wise use? What are the environmental impacts? What will be the impacts on clover performance? Is this where we want to go?
Methods:
There are three key components to the project – research, focus farm networks and networking and communication.
- The research involves paddock-scale trials at the AgResearch Ballantrae and Invermay research stations and will investigate the effect of various rates of N-fertiliser on pasture production, pasture composition and the environment. This facet of the project mainly involves AgResearch Scientists.
- The focus farm network involves 14 semi-autonomous farmer community groups located throughout New Zealand who will investigate the use of N-fertiliser under different commercial conditions and will utilise relevant information from the research trials. The community groups will link the farming sector to policy and agri-business. This facet of the project predominantly involves the community groups (which include facilitators/consultants, AgR scientists, Regional Council representatives etc.
- The third component is networking and communication and focuses on the dissemination of project results/information to all other stakeholders (and facilitates feedback from these parties). It aims to provide sufficient information for the development of best management practices so that N-use on hill country is given a sensible future direction. This facet of the project predominantly involves the project Steering Group and all other stakeholders, e.g. fertiliser industry, policy makers, environmental groups, media, project sponsors and other agri-businesses.
The project will run for 3-4 years and is overseen by a Steering Group with key inputs by AgResearch.
Latest update
The focus of this project has been amended recently. This extension phase of the Wise N Use project now investigates the effectiveness and viability of using focus farm systems as a tool for future research and learning activities.
Update
To date we have held two planning meetings of the project management team to establish the survey methodology and the timeframe for this. We have also held a phone conference with the Wise N Use steering group to establish a sub-group of the current steering group. This group of six members will act as a steering group for this extension phase of the project. We have also established that Mark Illston (farmer) will be chair of the steering sub-group as well as the full steering group.
March 2007
There are essentially two sections of work taking place in the project. The first is the focus farm component funded by SFF, Ballance and Ravensdown which finishes up in June 07 and the second is the AgR and Castlepoint trials funded by FertResearch, MWNZ and PGGRC which is due to finish in 2008. As such, the final data from the demonstration/focus farms will be presented at the 2007 annual conference however results will continue to be collected from the trials for at least a further year.
The project included the involvement of 14 farms nationwide in 2004/05 and 2005/06 and 11 in 2006/07, although some of the farms only have 2-years worth of data. The 2007 conference will herald the conclusion of the project for most of the focus farms and will therefore be used as a vehicle to sum up the farm level information. To date, results have been variable year to year and from farm to farm although in almost all instances, only the low rates of nitrogen (20-60 kg N/ha p.a.) show to be financially viable. In addition, these rates are likely to give N-leaching of 1-5 kg N/ha p.a (as estimated using the OVESEER nutrient balance model) which is considered to be in an acceptable range.
The Invermay and Ballantrae trials continue to run well with regular pasture yield assessments, botanical composition, grazing records and nitrogen leaching data being collected.
Quarterly Report: October 2006
The focus farms are starting to wind down their demonstrations and collate data for their presentations at the final conference in 2007. The project is due to draw to a close in July 2007 and the final conference is scheduled for the 10th and 11th May 07. The first day will involve a field trip to Ballantrae to see the trial sites and the conference will be hosted in Palmerston North on the second day. The Hon Jim Anderton will be opening the conference.
Grazing management changes were implemented at Ballantrae during this period. The farm received very heavy rainfall during the period with 718mm falling between Jul and Oct. Pasture production has been similar to previous seasons. At Invermay, the winter and spring were very dry with only 137mm rain falling between Jul and Oct. Winter and early spring were also relatively cold with pasture growth rates of 5 kgDM/ha between June and early Aug. Dry matter measurements showed a response rate of 13 kg DM/kg N and 22 kg DM/kg N for the low and high N rates respectively.
Nutrient budgeting presentations are being conducted at the focus farm meetings by Ants Roberts (Ravensdown) and Geoff Morton (Ballance) and these will continue into 2007. A further newsletter and two FAQs were generated during this period. Copies of these can be found on the project website at www.wisenuse.co.nz.
E-mail Clare Johnston at cmjconsulting@xtra.co.nz for more information.
June 2006
There will be 11 farms involved in on-farm demonstrations in 2006 compared with 14 last year. Manawatu, Ohura and Taranaki are no longer involved due to a changeover in monitor farm. In 2006, an expert from Ballance and an expert from Ravensdown will deliver a standardised presentation on nutrient budgeting to all groups. In addition, the expert will spend time with the facilitator, the farm owner and key members of the committee to better describe the intricacies of the Overseer programme and outline how changes to inputs can affect Overseer results.
A communication survey was sent to 130 of the farmers attending focus farm meetings this quarter. There was a good overall understanding of the project key messages and purpose. Respondents were aware that environment was a key element of this project, however there is evidence that they have not come away with much information on the topic or that they are confused, or are getting mixed messages. There were several recommendations made as a result of the survey and the project team will be actioning them in the coming year.
The conference feedback was also collated this quarter and was very positive. There were numerous recommendations about what we might do next year and these will be taken on board in planning for 2007. The Regional Council respondents came away from the conference with a better understanding of the programme and we will continue to work with them throughout 2006.
E-mail Clare Johnston at cmjconsulting@xtra.co.nz for more information.
March 2006
Results from the Invermay and Ballantrae trials were presented at the 2006 annual project conference held in Palmerston North. For Ballantrae, increasing the rate of N application from 0 - 750 kgN/ha/yr resulted in increased pasture production, had no significant effect on pasture quality or botanic composition and increased nitrogen leaching in a curvilinear fashion.
For Invermay, results suggested that the biological limit for pasture growth was reached using 300 kg N/ha/annum, that the response to N was greatest at 300 kg N/ha and ranged from 10 to 25 kg DM/kg N. It also suggested that clover was affected even with 100 kg N/ha, that leaching losses of nitrate were similar and low up to 200 kg N/ha, and that measured leaching losses were higher than estimated, especially for the 0 and 100 kg N/ha due to the shallow nature of the lysimeters, indicating that further filtering of nitrogen in the soil may occur before the leachate leaves the system.
The annual conference was attended by around 80 industry participants and was addressed by Gary Murfitt of Horizons and Peter Singleton of Environment Waikato. Production, economic and environmental results from the 2005 trials were presented as was a literature review addressing ‘N-Fertiliser Responses on NZ Hill Country’. The conference booklet (and other project information), is available on the project website (which was successfully launched in February). The site address is www.wisenuse.co.nz.
The focus farms are in the process of reviewing their demonstrations for 2006. At this stage all areas except Ohura are continuing with the programme. The demos will be held on new farms in 2 instances and the Ohura property may be replaced with a new group from Canterbury.
E-mail Clare Johnston at cmjconsulting@xtra.co.nz for more information.
December 2005
There were no further results from the Invermay and Ballantrae trial sites this quarter. A full analysis of outcomes to date will be presented at the February 2006 FLRC conference and again at the annual project conference to be held in March 2006. The annual conference will be attended by range of industry participants and will be addressed by Gary Murfitt of Horizons and Peter Singleton of Environment Waikato. Production, economic and environmental results from the 2005 trials will be presented. Conference attendance is by invite only.
The focus farms continued to collect data this quarter and completed their 2005 meetings. Each farm will present results from their 2005 demonstrations at the Annual Conference in March.
The project website is almost complete and will be launched in January. Notification of the web address will be sent to all recipients of the project newsletter. The third project newsletter and the second set of Frequently Asked Question fact sheets have been released and are available from the Project Co-odinator. E-mail Clare Johnston at cmjconsulting@xtra.co.nz for more information.
September 2005
Sept to May results from the Invermay trial site indicate that pasture DM production and efficiency of response levelled off at 300 kg N/ha/yr. Annual pasture production was high during the period due to elevated rainfall, and results showed that there was no consistent effect of rate of N on sown or unsown grass content (however there was a decline in white clover content with increasing rate of N). Crude protein content increased up to 500 kg N/ha/yr in March and 200 kg N/ha/yr in April but there were only small differences in ME between rates of N. N-leaching was measured from 5 drainage events but first year data has yet to be fully collated and analysed.
All fourteen focus farms have applied at least one application of N since the inception of the demonstration. Some of the farms have changed their proposed N application regimes in response to this season’s excellent winter/spring. This is very positive as it suggests farmers are being responsible in their use of N. Farms continue to measure responses and are collating data for presentation at the 2006 conference which is being held in March in Palmerston North.
Leaching measures are being undertaken on four of the fourteen properties and analysis of the Overseer data for each of the farms is currently being analysed. A project website will be created before the end of the year and will hold public information on the project. The second project newsletter and the first of the Frequently Asked Question fact sheets have been released and are available from the Project Co-odinator. E-mail Clare Johnston at cmjconsulting@xtra.co.nz for more information.
January – March 2005
The research trials at Ballantrae and Invermay have been underway since late last year. Interim results at Ballantrae (for the period of mid Oct 04 – mid Jan 05) and at Invermay (for the period of Sept 04 – Jan 05) indicated that:
- Increased rates of nitrogen applied resulted in increased pasture production
- Pasture composition (measured in Dec 04/Jan 05) was variable, however the relative amount of clover in the sward appeared to decrease as the nitrogen levels increased. The relative amount of ryegrass seemed to remain quite steady, with the percentage of ‘other’ species increasing. It was not anticipated that definite trends in composition change would be evident so early in the trials.
Almost all 14-focus farms are up and running and five of these presented results for their 2004 year demonstrations at the inaugural annual conference in February. The conference was held in Palmerston North and was addressed by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon Jim Sutton. The conference enabled participants to:
- Learn about the project
- Learn about recent nitrogen-related research
- Present/hear 2004 demonstration results and proposed 2005 demonstrations
- Give/accept suggestions from the wider group regarding to changes to demos
- Liaise with other groups – regional council representatives, fertiliser industry management, researchers, farmers, funders, consultants
A series of project-related articles were released in the April edition of Country-Wide magazine and two national press releases have been put out since the project started. A project newsletter was produced this quarter. The coming quarter will see the continued collection of trial information and results from the focus farms being forwarded to the project team. Several Open Days are scheduled at the Focus Farm properties and expert speakers will make presentations at these days. A series of Frequently Asked Question fact sheets will be produced and made available and the second newsletter will be constructed.
