ts nitrogen risk scorecard uses data collected annually on six key farm practices and applies a set of benchmark parameters to get a level of risk to each.
Fonterra’s sustainable dairy adviser Sarah English said it has been running a nitrogen management programme since the 2012-13 season.
Previously, a large team of nutrient advisers was needed to process Overseer nutrient budgets to model a farm’s possible nitrogen leaching potential and how efficient the farm manages nitrogen.
After a farm’s nutrient budget was processed a nitrogen report would be generated by Fonterra.
However, not all councils require such in-depth reporting but Fonterra still needs data on farm management practices so the scorecard can act as an easier option in some instances and regions, English said.
Discussions among industry stakeholders and councils are continuing to assess whether it could be accepted to meet regulatory needs.
Overseer, developed by the Ministry for Primary Industries, was initially free to use but now costs $200 a farm a year. Farmers who need or want an Overseer nutrient report still have that option, however, the scorecard is an alternative provided at no cost, English said.
The scorecard looks specifically at stock management, nitrogen fertiliser use and efficiency, feed imported onto a farm, cropping and cultivation practices, irrigation and effluent management practices. Data provided by farmer on those six practices is interpreted by the scorecard.
Farmers will still submit their farm dairy records data annually to Fonterra but now have the option of having an easier-to-understand report via the scorecard.
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massey.ac.nz/~flrc/workshops/19/Manuscripts/Paper_Marshall_2019.pdf
