Investing in a handheld nitrogen tester and using variable rate nitrogen fertiliser has enabled Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart to significantly reduce the amount of fertiliser he applies to his family’s 730-hectare arable and sheep operation. The result is cost savings and environmental benefits. Roscoe, a former arable chair for Federated Farmers North Canterbury, is participating […]
nitrogen
Environmental gains as farmers reduce nitrogen loss
Dairy farmers in Canterbury’s Selwyn catchment are actively reducing their footprint, with data indicating many have reduced nitrogen loss by 30 percent. “Selwyn farmers have been working hard to achieve this milestone, taking steps on their farms to look after the environment,” says DairyNZ solutions and development lead advisor Virginia Serra. “Preliminary information shows 70 […]
Dairy industry big guns join forces to tackle nitrogen leaching
Fonterra and Nestlé are teaming up with DairyNZ to expand a promising plantain trial to help improve waterways and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Incorporating certain varieties of plantain into a cow’s diet has been shown to reduce the nitrogen concentration in their urine, which can leach through soil into groundwater. To test the […]