64 | Spreadmark Code of Practice under review Spreadmark’s current Code Of Practice has been heavily weighted towards agronomic outcomes and was not robust in terms of the environmental risk management elements, says Tony Michelle, NZAAA Executive Officer. Richard Loader The Spreadmark scheme is a voluntary fertiliser placement quality assurance programme, that guarantees accurate fertiliser distribution by trained operators, using spreading machinery and a management system that puts economic and environmental farmer/grower outcomes first. Established by the NZ Groundspread Fertiliser Association in 1994, the Spreadmark programme was subsequently expanded by a group representing Federated Farmers, the NZGFA, New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA), fertiliser companies and the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand (FANZ). The Spreadmark scheme operates closely with its sister scheme, Fertmark. The two schemes operate to ensure that high quality fertiliser is manufactured, mixed and spread in a way that precision agriculture is fostered and the environment is protected. Governed by the NZ Fertiliser Quality Council (FQC), Spreadmark’s Code of Practice is currently under review. Tony Michelle, NZAAA Executive Officer and one of the leaders of the review says the Code has been heavily weighted towards agronomic outcomes in terms of quality and evenness of spread, and was not robust in terms of the environmental risk management elements. “That is one of the main drivers for its review, especially given the amount of environmental regulation that we have coming down the pipe in terms of freshwater management and sensitive areas. In terms of environmental stewardship, the Code as SPREADING » Spreadmark • from page 63 Brooks Spreading expanding it is being reviewed, identifies where the risks are in terms of fertiliser going where it is not wanted, and provides the tools for applicators to ensure that they manage those risks. The revised code will support Spreadmark’s four pillars; having the right product, in the right place, at the right time and at the right rate.” The review, will take into account the expectations and interests of a wide range of stakeholders and is being undertaken by representatives from each of the stakeholder groups. “Farmers and growers are key stakeholders because of their own environmental risk management obligations, the quality of fertiliser application, and their expectations of us as applicators,” says Tony. “Environmental regulators responsible for implementing the environmental and freshwater management regulations currently being set by Government are a key target audience of the revised code. Producers and processors exporting to overseas markets are another important audience for the revised code. More and more we are seeing overseas customers and regulators placing demands on processors or exporters, wanting to know how the food was produced and whether it was produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. Once the processors place demands on the farmers/growers, the farmer/growers will place demands on their contractors. So that will be a big driver of the uptake of Spreadmark by applicators.” “If we want to continue to have a social licence to operate as fertiliser applicators we have to bring the general public along with us. If we do not, the pressure will come on us and the environmental regulators will write rules that will further limit Dean had a background working on farms and in the transport industry as a driver and dispatcher when he started what would become Brooks Spreading. Today the Wakefield based company is run by Dean and wife Sarah who takes care of the administration and accounts side of the business. Brooks Spreading has traditionally focused on agricultural spreading - lime, dolomite, all types of traditional and organic fertiliser, compost, seed and seed mixes. But now it also offers horticultural spreading to cater to service the growing horticulture market, which includes hops, grapes, apples, berries, fruit and vegetables. “Our specialised equipment can spread down to a 1.8 metre row, reducing crop damage, time things like fertilisers. Beef + Lamb New Zealand estimate that the application of fertiliser to pastoral hill country farms adds $2.75b to New Zealand’s GDP. If fertiliser was to cease being applied to hill country New Zealand, the productivity would be halved in a five-year period. But it’s also important that we meet the environmental aspects, by not contaminating waterways, wetlands or sensitive FOR ALL YOUR TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR NEEDS 7 Kotua Place, Stoke | PO Box 3012 Richmond, Nelson | 0800 HESLOP (437 567) 24 HR Hotline 03 543 9400 | Email admin@heslops.co.nz | www.heslops.co.nz Specialising in the Repair of: Trucks, Trailers, Buses, Cars, 4 x 4 Vehicles, Marine Engines, Heavy Equipment & Motor Homes Proudly Supporting Brooks Spreading HESLOPS 0800 HESLOP 24HRS and cost. The FENDT 209 V Tractor is narrow and digitally operated with top-of-class controls. It’s also fitted with TracMap (GPS guided proof of placement), with a spreader trailer designed for purpose,” explains Dean. There are also three Iveco spreader trucks (two based in Nelson and one based in Murchison), a Case Optum tractor with both a trailing spreader and a 3pt linkage spreader, a Mack Trident 6×4 and a four-axle trailer bulk unit along with side tipping and automat trailers for self-unloading into the spreaders. Manitou telehandlers and a mobile elevator for loading bulk deliveries into the spreaders round out the plant. “We’re only ever as good as our last job,” says Dean, “so we always remain hugely focused on delivering great results to our clients.” • Concrete • Fertiliser Spreading - Farm Mapping - GPS Tracking - Variable Rate Spreading • Livestock Cartage • Grain Cartage • Shingle Supplies • Daily Freight Leeston: 03 3248 070 Dunsandel: 03 3254 039 reception@ellesmere.co.nz Fertiliser and Agricultural Lime Spreading 2 trucks carrying up to 25 tonne loads - nothing too small “With over 40 years behind us, we’re the little company that’s big on experience.” Keith 027 496 9150 or 03 313 3937 plaskettfert@xtra.co.nz • Tracmap proof of placement • Spreadmark Certi ed Contact us today! Your local certified spreading specialists! Mob: 021 134 8514 A/Hrs: 03 314 8157 Email: spreadncltd@farmside.co.nz areas where the regulators and the public don’t want to see fertiliser applied.” Following three days of intensive workshops, the group charged with reviewing the code are now awaiting the collation of the output which will be put to FQC for ratification in May. “Our target time to have the review completed and ratified is the end of June this year.”
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