Celebrating the 300th Certified Nutrient Management Adviser

We're delighted to announce that we have just certified the 300th Nutrient Management Adviser through our Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme (NMACP).

I'd like to congratulate Tim Jefferd, Regional Manager for the Eastern North Island at Agricom, who became the 300th person certified through this valuable programme," said Vera Power, Chief Executive of the Fertiliser Association.

"With the introduction of the Government's freshwater regulations and the recent cap on nitrogen fertiliser application to pastoral lands, farmers need to work closely with Certified Nutrient Management Advisers to ensure that they can meet their obligations."

"It's important that the industry continues to increase this specialist capability to ensure New Zealand's agricultural sector can receive nutrient management advice of the highest standard."

"Along with congratulating Tim, I'd also like to acknowledge Louise Hargraves, our NMACP Programme Manager. Louise has overseen the programme from the very start and she plays an essential role in supporting participants through the programme."

Below is a profile on Tim and some background on his nutrient management career journey.

Tim Jeffered, Regional Manager for the Eastern North Island at Agricom

Tim's nutrient management studies started at Lincoln University where he majored in Soil Science as part of a B Com Ag degree.

After graduating he joined Ravensdown for 3 ½ years as an Agri Manager in Western Waikato. A particular highlight while there, was working with a farm where their level of detail in farm mapping, farm environment plan and nutrient management advice, won them the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Supreme award in 2016.

Tim previously became a Certified Nutrient Management Advisor back in 2016 while he was at Ravensdown. However, after returning from spending 2½ years overseas, Tim decided to refresh his knowledge and get re-certified so that he could provide farmers with the most up-to-date information for their Farm Environment Plans.

In his current role with Agricom, Tim particularly enjoys getting on-farm to discuss current cropping practises and providing knowledge and expertise around how farmers can tweak the system to enable higher performing forage crops that drive profitable outcomes.

"It all comes back to having the right crop in the right place," says Tim.

"It's also important to have an awareness around leaching potential and best grazing management, in order to reduce the farm's environmental footprint."