Beneath the surface with David Law of Forward Farming

The passing of the Waikato Healthy Rivers Plan will instil new fear to farmers to change the way they manage their farms in the future.

Farmers, of course, will be angry the bureaucracy of regional councils will soon have another round of reasons to whip the living daylights out of them, as if they haven’t endured enough already.

Federated Farmers will continue to do their political best to soften the blow and the public perception of farmers may drop a notch or two.

This has caused me to climb to the top of the hill and look out at the big picture.

Several pivotal questions come to light over this dilemma. 1: Do we really have a problem with our streams, rivers and lakes? Yes, we do. 2: Is there an excess of phosphates and nitrates leaching through our soils and into our waterways? Yes, there is. 3: Is it fair and just to blame the farmer for this mess? No, I do not believe that we should blame the farmer entirely.

There are two factors contributing to the pollution of our waterways; effluent management and cattle having access, and phosphate and nitrogen application compromising the plant’s ability to hold on to those nutrients.

I do believe the industry has number one under control and this does require direct input from the farmer. Compliance to rules and regulations under general circumstances should be the responsibility of the farmer.

Another story

However, I believe number two is another story. Fertiliser application and soil nutrient needs for pasture and cropping is generally a practice that farmers leave to a specialist. These specialists are called on by farmers to advise them on what they need to grow their grass and crops.

Possibly 95 per cent of fertiliser in New Zealand is sold by two large companies, Ballance and Ravensdown. Interestingly, it is rumoured these two large companies have influence on the education of soil and fertiliser scientists in New Zealand. I was impressed upon reading Ballance’s website to find most of the specialists, who are employed by them to advise and guide farmers what to buy, are very well educated indeed.

While I was pouring another mug of coffee I got to thinking – what do these big companies make?

Well-educated salesmen

Now I know why those environmentalists are so mad. Those companies have turned their well- educated scientists into salesmen.

Farmers have been brainwashed and swear allegiance to these specialists, who are now leaving them holding the can. It appears this great science that has been taught needs an overhaul.

Maybe it’s someone else’s turn. I hear a leading scientist is rambling on about some new science that he doesn’t understand. Maybe if he stopped communicating and listened, he might learn something.

So just a gentle suggestion to councils – turn around and throw the stones the other way and give the farmers a break.

Ballance-Ravensdown respond

Coast & Country News invited Ravensdown and Ballance to respond to David’s comments:

Ravensdown’s response: “Our business is a co-operative owned by farmers. “It is not our purpose to sell or recommend more than our customer-owners actually need. All fertiliser recommendations are based on results of soil, plant and/or animal tests from an independently-accredited laboratory. Of course, farmers are under no obligation to carry out our recommendation.

“Our team are well trained and professional – having the highest number of certified nutrient management advisors in the country as well as some of the most well-respected soil scientists.  

“Our agri-manager team and environmental consultants advise on how to reduce potential nitrate and phosphate losses. Our shareholders do not want to waste their investment or risk environmental impacts.

“Through our industry body, we invest in nutrient modelling software and individually we commit millions of dollars in researching ways to improve environmental mitigation.”

Ballance Agri-Nutrients research and development manager Warwick Catto’s response:  “Farmers are increasingly working within regulations designed to reduce the impact of farming on the environment. As a result, the demand for science-based advice and support to limit negative impacts of over-use of fertilisers, such as nutrient losses, is driven by farmers themselves. As a co-op owned by farmers we provide the level of service they need.

“We are there to support their decisions – not make them for them. We’re not here to sell more fertiliser, just the right amount in the right places to minimise nutrient losses and maximise the benefits to crops and pasture.

“We undertake audits of our fertiliser and nutrient budgeting advice to confirm this is the case. We also invest in research to develop tools and technology to enable even more precise decision making and nutrient application.

“To support farmers, many of whom hold applicable degrees, we need the best people on the job. “We recruit a range of people including tertiary graduates and, like any employer, we expect universities to equip students to leave with the knowledge required to do their job. It’s common for industry bodies to work with tertiary institutes so that theory remains applicable to practice.

“Farmers and our co-op work together to ensure farming remains sustainable. Our co-op and farmers’ support for the Sustainable Dairy Water Accord is a great example, as are the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.”