| 71 nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » Fert Wholesale Direct Ltd Dry weather to potentially affect feed production Kelly Deeks Fert Wholesale Direct managing director Shane Harold says this year’s drought conditions across the US and Europe are a warning of what could lie ahead for New Zealand, with dry weather potentially affecting feed production, commodity markets, and the cost and availability of farm inputs, making efficient nutrient use increasingly important as we head towards summer. “Particularly, we are going to see a reduction in nitrogen use if this drought happens, as a result of temperatures exceeding plant growth limits,” Shane says. “With no growth, no nitrogen is required. A lot of farmers are going to sit back and see what is going to happen.” He says the wider implications of drought extend beyond individual farms, with reduced growth ultimately affecting the amount of milk, meat, and other food entering the global market. “We don’t produce enough food to feed the current population, so in the short term that should mean milk and meat prices should all stay up.” The uncertainty makes productivity a key focus. Shane says he is seeing renewed interest from sheep and beef farmers, with some properties that had moved into forestry now returning to livestock production. Fert Wholesale Direct is continuing to focus on nutrient efficiency, with Shane calling for greater investment in agricultural science and in particular research and development into how fertiliser can deliver stronger production responses with less waste. The company’s patented ONEsystem fertiliser remains central to that approach, while its Earth Max is gaining traction with farmers. Shane says fertiliser recommendations need to reflect individual soil and weather conditions rather A potassium probe in action. Proud to be associatedwith FertWholesaleDirect Ltd 03 236 2897 www.gladvalefarms.co.nz , Eddystone St Kaitangata | 03 413 9735 | cranleighhaulage@gmail.com We’re proud to support Fert Wholesale Direct Ltd • Rock, Gravel, Bark & Sawdust Suppliers • General Transport - Big or small • Bulk Cartage • Livestock Cartage - Inter Island & Local • Fertiliser Cartage &Application with Proof of Placement •Wool Cartage • Otago’s only stockist of Golden Bay Dolomite David 027 453 1170 / fowler@farmside.co.nz Proud to Support Fert Wholesale Direct Ltd than being repeated unchanged each year. Sulphur is particularly important, he says, because sulphate sulphur can leach quickly and insufficient sulphur can limit the response to nitrogen. Fert Wholesale Direct therefore combines nutrients in products designed to address multiple requirements in one application. He is also seeing growing interest in reactive phosphate rock, or RPR, among sheep and beef farmers. In low pH hill country, RPR can provide phosphate while also delivering a liming effect as the phosphate breaks down. “RPR doesn’t leach because it is not water soluble until it is broken down,” Shane says. “If I had a hill country farm, I would be using RPR and slow release sulphur.” Ultimately, Shane says farmers should use strong commodity prices to lift production efficiency before the cycle turns. He points to the wide gap between average and high performing farmers, where daily lamb liveweight gains can be 400 grams a day compared to national average of 120 grams a day. “Even if you get 200 grams instead of 120, after two to three months, how much more money are you going to make?” he says. Fertiliser prices are also being affected by global supply pressures and the sharp rise in sulphur prices. Shane says New Zealand’s loss of domestic sulphur production has added another layer of exposure to international markets. For Fert Wholesale Direct, the response is to keep improving productivity, nutrient efficiency, and technology, including continued development of its Spikey system with a new robotic version designed to detect and treat cow urine patches like a robotic lawnmower. “Successful companies are improving productivity, and that is what we are going to strive for,” Shane says.
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