Otago dairy farmers’ reporting of their annual fertiliser use rose almost 30 percent in the last year, with about 70 percent now complying with the regulations.

Otago Regional Council (ORC) regulatory data and systems manager Simon Wilson thanked Otago dairy farmers for their efforts in complying with the nitrogen reporting regulations, which have been in force for two years.

“While the deadline for reporting has passed, all reporting tools are still available and we’re encouraging anyone who hasn’t submitted to complete their returns now,” Simon said.

Just 54 percent reported their fertiliser use in the year ending June 2022 and the latest figures show a significant increase in uptake, Simon said. 

They are also well above the national average of around 50 percent.

Fertiliser use can be reported through the Regional Sector Reporting Tool or via Ravensdown or Ballance reporting systems, with all three combined into one list.

“This system is working out really well as ORC ends up with one list to work from when checking compliance,” Simon said.

He said there were also changes in fertiliser use since the last reporting period: Just 0.6 percent of respondents were using more than 190kg of synthetic nitrogen per hectare, down from two percent a year earlier.

Using more than 190kg per hectare requires a special consent.

The change was introduced as part of the government’s National Environmental Standards for Freshwater, covering activities which could pose a risk to freshwater ecosystems.

“We’re really pleased to see farmers are able to apply the data, year-on-year, and more specifically target their fertiliser use,” Simon said.

Any questions on fertiliser reporting can be directed to the ORC’s Compliance team at [email protected]

PHOTO: Supplied