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Lime and gypsum for different uses

Many people ask us if lime and gypsum can be used interchangeably. This is not surprising since they are both labelled as soil amendments and recommended for improving soil conditions. However, while they do share a number of other similarities, they have very different uses....

Regen or Anti-degen for Kiwi Farmers?

When global giants like Syngenta and Bayer, and large scale NZ businesses such as Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms, start paying attention to Regen Agriculture, it’s a sign that we at the grassroots level must do likewise.And we are. But in NZ, perhaps anti-degeneration is the way forward, rather than regeneration. Let me explain....

Benefits of dicalcic phosphate too good to ignore

Now is the perfect time to plan your fertiliser programme for autumn. Whether you are maintaining or building soil fertility, phosphates will be needed. But the quantity needed and how well they work will depend on the type of phosphates used....

Seeds are safe with dicalcic phosphate

In the North Island Hill Country, early autumn is typically the time for pasture renewal and seed sowing. There is adequate soil moisture and temperatures are not too cold. For many of the same reasons, it is also the time when soil fertility is boosted by applying phosphates.Since these two events occur at similar times, why are the seeds and fertiliser not mixed together and applied at the same time? One reason that this practice is not followed is the risk of ‘seed burn’....

Trace elements for optimum plant nutrition

Trace elements are essential for maintaining life in plants, animals and humans. So a shortage of any one of them can cause a deficiency, compromising health, growth, and even survival in some cases. So when it comes to maximising production of pasture and crops in NZ, the presence of trace elements in the soil is of extreme importance....

Potash essential for pasture and crop quality

Potassium, or potash as it’s known in its fertiliser form, represents the ‘K’ in the NPK trio of most essential nutrients for plants. Although it doesn’t currently get the attention that nitrogen and phosphorus does, potassium is equally vital to grow the amount of high quality food we need for ourselves and our overseas markets....

Innovation through Collaboration

It all began on a cold, dank National Fieldays morning at Mystery Creek. Across the aisle from each other in the Main Arena, the Fertco and Agrisea teams were preparing for the day’s action. There was just enough time to share a hot coffee and some friendly banter before kick-off.Inevitably, the talk centred around seaweed and fertiliser. But things began to get more interesting when it was discovered the two companies shared key values and goals. They also found out that they shared some cust...

Nutrient Efficiency with Humates

As a farmer or grower, you apply fertiliser because you can’t afford not to. So, finding ways of getting that fertiliser to work more efficiently makes economic sense.Recent field trials in Southland NZ (2014 - 2018) found that adding humates to urea applications increased pasture production by 9.8% more than adding urea alone. And since it’s not a complicated or costly process to add the humates, this would seem to be a worthwhile strategy if nutrient efficiency is a goal....

A smarter Way to grow Maize

Maize crops need a lot of nutrients in the early part of the growing season. Typically, three fertiliser dressings are made to meet this demand. However, adverse weather and environmental losses, damage from machinery and contractor availability can all challenge efforts to deliver the nutrients when the plants need them, especially when it comes to applying the third (side) dressing....

Meet Eltham Farm Supplies – our newest Premium Stockist

If you farm or live on a lifestyle block near Eltham in South Taranaki, you can now get Fertco fertiliser products along with your other farm provisions at Eltham Farm Supplies....

Soil Tests that go beyond Chemistry

Whatever you’re growing, testing the soil to make sure it’s up to the job is a sound strategy. In addition, a soil test means saving money by only applying fertiliser that is genuinely needed. But what exactly should we be testing for?...

Grow your own Nitrogen

Most pastoral farmers in New Zealand already know that white clover (Trifolium repens) fixes atmospheric nitrogen into plant available nitrogen via the symbiotic relationship with the Rhizobia bacteria in its nodules. However, what seems less recognised is just how productive this system can be....

Responsible Nitrogen Use

Nitrogen (N) may be a tasteless, odourless, and colourless gas, but as 78% of the earth’s atmosphere, it’s mostly what we inhale with every breath we take. There are also vast amounts of nitrogen in the earth’s crust and in soil organic matter....

Sulphur deserves equal Billing with NPK

When it comes to essential nutrients for plant growth, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), usually take the starring roles. However, there’s another element that deserves its moment in the spotlight, and that’s sulphur. Since sulphur is found in plants in similar quantities as phosphates, it shouldn’t be left back stage, but given equal billing.   ...

Soil Acidity is a balancing Act

Like many things in life, soil acidity is all about balance. In this case, it’s about the equilibrium between the hydrogen ions (H+) in the soil solution, and those attached to soil particles.If the balance is disturbed, and there are more H+ ions in the soil than attached to the soil particles, soil acidity occurs. This creates a problem for plants, because in acidic soils, nutrients may become either unavailable, or toxic....

Phosphates that reduce Wastage

Phosphates are a vital element for all living things including plants. But it can be difficult getting sufficient phosphate to plants without wastage to the soil or waterways....

Granulating Fertiliser a Winner

As farmers and growers we all know that if we feed plants with enough of the right kind of nutrients, they will feed us. If only it was that simple!...

Fertco: A Story of Innovation

When you do something new, there is no blueprint to follow. You’ve got to make it up, and make it work, often without a lot of money. And you need the right people with a can-do attitude, and belief in what they are doing. This has been the Fertco way for 24 years now....