NMACP celebrates 200th certified adviser in the programme

The Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme has marked a significant milestone with the certification of the 200^th Adviser to have completed the programme. Joseph Edlin of Waikato Regional Council was presented with a certificate to mark the occasion in Hamilton today.

“It’s exciting to think that the programme continues to experience rapid growth and has now reached this fantastic milestone. This ensures there’s a great pool of people delivering quality nutrient management advice to farmers throughout New Zealand,” says Mike Manning, NMACP Chairman. “We congratulate Joseph - and all our certified advisers. Becoming certified represents a lot of hard work and commitment - they are all nutrient management champions.”

The 200^th adviser to have completed the programme coming from a regional council reflects the changing face of the scheme. Dr Vera Power, Chief Executive of the Fertiliser Association explains that in the early days of the programme, certified advisers came largely from the fertiliser companies. “However, we’re now finding that they’re coming from a much broader range of organisations as well as independent consultants. We have people from Councils, sector groups, farm consultancies, and professional services firms – all certified or working towards certification. This means that people from a wide range of organisations now have a common set of knowledge around nutrient management best practice,” says Vera.

In another example of the changing face of the programme, a new greenhouse gas endorsement will be in place by the end of this year, with financial support from DairyNZ. This builds on the Massey University course on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Management. Certified Nutrient Management Advisers will be able to complete this course to additionally become Certified Greenhouse Gas Advisers. “We’re really excited to be introducing this endorsement,” said Vera. “It will expose advisers to the latest in greenhouse gas mitigation policy and research for pastoral and arable farming so it’s a really positive development for the industry as a whole”.