Phosphorus Use Guidance Note

Environmental accountability and responsible use of fertiliser is now needed more than ever. Pastoral agriculture is essential for supporting our economic wellbeing. At the same time we need to ensure that any negative impacts of fertiliser use are well managed.

Robust, long-term research has recognised that without phosphate fertiliser, pasture production would be halved. See the reports for the long-term phosphate fertiliser trial at Winchmore in Canterbury. Soil health in our grassland systems is also improved by application of phosphate fertilisers - have a look at the work of AgResearch's Nicole Schon on another long-term trial at Ballantrae in the Manawatu, which was profiled in this Farmers Weekly article.

While aiming to deliver the benefits of phosphate fertiliser, we also need to understand the loss mechanisms so that these too can be well managed. The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand commissioned an international review of the mechanisms of phosphorus loss from grazed farm systems. The review was published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, (Vol 48, Issue 5, September - October 2019).

"The Association has now produced a user friendly Phosphorus Guidance Note to explain clearly why we need to manage phosphorus losses and why we need to build on the international principles of the '4 Rs' for good management of nutrients," said Vera Power, Chief Executive of the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand.

"This Guidance Note provides clear, easy to read information and advice on the movement of phosphorus, how phosphorus losses can occur and what to do to reduce farm system losses in grazed pasture to achieve maximum benefits from phosphate fertiliser, while minimising environmental impacts."

The Guidance Note can be downloaded below.

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