Publication Date
1989
Description
New Zealand agriculture with its reliance on legume-based pastures to supply nitrogen has a requirement for fertilizer inputs of phosphorus, sulphur, potassium and to a lesser extent, magnesium and various trace elements. The soils in the two main dairying regions of New Zealand (Waikato, Taranaki) are formed from volcanic ash parent material and are highly P retentive. Traditionally dairy pastures on such soils have been developed using heavy applications of P.K.S. fertilizers (750-1000 kg.ha-1 .year-1). Such rates have often continued for 10-20 years or more and scientists have repeatedly questioned the need for continued high inputs of fertilizer (Hutton, 1977; O'Connor & Feyter, 1980). More recently, falling product prices and rising input costs have led to a decline in fertilizer use of 10-15 % compared to 1984/85 figures (Bay of Plenty Fertilizer Company, pers. comm.). This paper reports on some recent New Zealand studies conducted to indicate the extent of production losses in dairying when fertilizer is reduced or withheld (Feyter et al., 1988; Roberts & Thomson, 1988).
Citation
O'Connor, M B.; Feyter, C; and Roberts, A.H C., "The Effects of Reducing or Stopping Fertilizer on New Zealand Dairy Pastures" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 50.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session1/50
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effects of Reducing or Stopping Fertilizer on New Zealand Dairy Pastures
New Zealand agriculture with its reliance on legume-based pastures to supply nitrogen has a requirement for fertilizer inputs of phosphorus, sulphur, potassium and to a lesser extent, magnesium and various trace elements. The soils in the two main dairying regions of New Zealand (Waikato, Taranaki) are formed from volcanic ash parent material and are highly P retentive. Traditionally dairy pastures on such soils have been developed using heavy applications of P.K.S. fertilizers (750-1000 kg.ha-1 .year-1). Such rates have often continued for 10-20 years or more and scientists have repeatedly questioned the need for continued high inputs of fertilizer (Hutton, 1977; O'Connor & Feyter, 1980). More recently, falling product prices and rising input costs have led to a decline in fertilizer use of 10-15 % compared to 1984/85 figures (Bay of Plenty Fertilizer Company, pers. comm.). This paper reports on some recent New Zealand studies conducted to indicate the extent of production losses in dairying when fertilizer is reduced or withheld (Feyter et al., 1988; Roberts & Thomson, 1988).
