Publication Date

1993

Description

Use of a model to investigate the payback to alternative phosphate (P) fertiliser programmes is described. Input for the model is fertiliser history (kg P/ho/year) over 5-15 years. A site fertility index is established by summing discounted P applications. The index is related to relative pasture yield (annual yield/non P limited yield) for a soil type. The economics of P use are evaluated by scaling current gross margin/ha for changes in relative pasture yield and subtracting fertiliser costs. The model provides the decision maker with yearly cashflow information and a I 0-year net present value (NPV) analysis of the relative profitability of a strategy. A case study involving 3 options of increasing, maintaining or ceasing fertiliser input, shows how both cashflow and long term profit information can assist decision makers.

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Use of a Model to Investigate the Profitability of Fertilizer Application

Use of a model to investigate the payback to alternative phosphate (P) fertiliser programmes is described. Input for the model is fertiliser history (kg P/ho/year) over 5-15 years. A site fertility index is established by summing discounted P applications. The index is related to relative pasture yield (annual yield/non P limited yield) for a soil type. The economics of P use are evaluated by scaling current gross margin/ha for changes in relative pasture yield and subtracting fertiliser costs. The model provides the decision maker with yearly cashflow information and a I 0-year net present value (NPV) analysis of the relative profitability of a strategy. A case study involving 3 options of increasing, maintaining or ceasing fertiliser input, shows how both cashflow and long term profit information can assist decision makers.