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Farm Nutrient Advisory Ltd., Napier (2025)

11/10/2025

Heading back to these beautiful farms plus a few others this coming week for another Waikato round to discuss annual fertiliser plans & reassess current cow diets now spring is well underway.

As pasture protein sky rockets, the last thing we need to do is add more protein in at the shed. If those milk urea’s are frequently exceeding 25mg/dl that is at the farmer’s (& cow’s) expense with it associated with “urea cost” - quite literally the dollar value lost due to the body using energy to convert excess N to urea i.e. to excrete the toxic ammonia circulating in the blood to prevent lethal accumulation. This cost can also be extended to the monetary impact of high MU on poor reproductive performance, immunity & ongoing lameness.

DairyNZ’s claim that MU in the 30s & even up to 40 is ‘normal’ & not an animal health risk is utterly wrong & an animal welfare issue. This claim does however support their fertiliser ‘cooperative’ friends' motive of selling more nitrogen though 💰 not to mention the vets at the bottom of the cliff 🚑💉
Quoting Dr Lean when he was discussing NZ dairy pitfalls on a recent trip, “it is typical, but NOT normal”.

No truly qualified (“true” being the operative word. Being a sales rep does not automatically grant you nutritionist qualification) would ever be satisfied with diets that maintain high MU.

Why lose money on urea cost by adding to an already excessive total dietary protein? Seems backwards doesn’t it? But we do backwards well down under!

29/09/2025

Heading back north to Taupo, Cambridge & Te Aroha in a couple of weeks for anyone interested in a catch up. Likely the last Waikato visit until next year with the rate time has flown by!

26/09/2025

The last half of this week’s farm visits as I headed back South to Canterbury before flying home 🛫

Met a new friend, lets call him Gus. Nothing like back scratches & a selfie with a cattle beast 📸 Probably a good thing I live on the other island or I would’ve bartered to bring him home as a new pet. I have nicely asked the farmer not to put him on the truck 🥺 (a good example why I don’t farm myself).

Flight #1 even had a quiz question relating to my Welsh home city 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 one of the few answers I knew given my lack of quizzing general knowledge.

Once again, very lucky with the beautiful weather while on my travels. It’s a pleasure & privilege being invited onto each & every farm I work with for which I’m always grateful 🙏

23/09/2025

After an iffy start to the week with a broken plane consequently missing the connecting flight & arriving in the South a day late to then shut & lock my finger in the car door 😖 the week’s farm visits started in Mount Somers 🏔️ followed by a drive north to Seddon with the compulsory stop to see the seals on the way. Hundreds of them just everywhere 🦭

It’s such a privilege travelling to visit farms all over the country & this week is no different. Tuesday was spent at the beautiful Bonavaree with the Avery family, Fraser’s pasture management is impeccable with stock thriving as a result & no over grazed pastures in sight.

Today’s travels will see me head back south to Cheviot & Waiau.

11/09/2025

Wow. Where to start while not saying rude words. There were no facts provided in this 'enlightenment' at all.

Mr Hoggard should have kindly added context to the highly questionable ESR review he's referring to. You know, like the fact Fonterra was a funding partner on the study which concluded water nitrates are no risk to public health in NZ. This follows Hoggard’s statement that we're "focused on outputs” as are Fonterra; the more nitrogen in, the more milk out. Not worrisome at all 🤨

To offer no acknowledgment whatsoever to the study by Chambers et al., (Otago) that does indeed show significant association, NOT funded by the dairy industry & NO ulterior motive, just true scientists wanting to do 'good science'. An actual scientific study that has been peer reviewed & published in international journals due to its validity & absence of conflict of interest unlike the ESR review.

Next, the comment about vegetables containing more nitrates 🙄 Most individuals who consider themselves expert enough to argue this also know that the level of vitamins & antioxidants in the vegetables block the biochemical production of nitrosamines that cause nitrates to become carcinogenic. Water nitrate intake does not have this luxury so the fact there’s ‘less nitrate’ in water is void & irrelevant. This must also have slipped Mr Hoggard's mind.

Another point forgotten, the fact the ESR study only applied to registered water sources, ignoring those water supplies commonly found in rural communities. Seems damn odd to not investigate water sources most likely to be affected 🤔 nothing to do with that commercial conflict of interest, I guess Fonterra’s funds just ran out before getting to investigate those high risk areas.

How many people truly realise the influence Fonterra, Ravensdown & Ballance all have in public & environmental health given all three companies fund ESR projects to research nitrates & greenhouse gases? The same projects that all essentially conclude ‘nothing to see here’ 🙈
No company with commercial interest, let alone those who are the cause of concern being investigated should legally be able to participate in any shape or form.

Then we come to the comment about how efficient free draining, stony irrigated land is at preventing nitrate leaching. I mean if the above points weren’t already enough ‘WTF moments’. Reality is, the irrigation has eliminated water as being the limiting factor but intensive farming goes beyond this & causes nitrogen to be the limiting factor instead with frequent inputs then applied to make up for the increased plant uptake plus the inevitable increased leaching. He makes no mention of winter N still common practice 🤬 or the excess rumen protein effect (too much protein in the grass because of too much nitrogen input makes it come out the back end in even more leaching susceptible form.

As for 'my farm only applies 110Kg N', if this is irrigated, then by all measures that is good going but if not, that says nothing other than the system is inefficient & needs unnecessary N to 'cover it up'.

What a huge disservice this government is to the people of NZ & our country's future including farmers (most just don't see it yet because it's easier not to).

05/09/2025

📊 Data in any industry is everything. So long as you know what it means that is!

In the fertiliser game it's common practice to collect soil data but how many actually look at it & truly understand its meaning? Further still, how many then apply that to what's done next rather than carry on with the status quo?

Most (reps) collect the data but regardless of the results, apply the same product & rate ignoring any change that may, or may not have been seen in the soil analysis.

❔So why test?

Collecting data for the sake of just having the numbers is a completely pointless, expensive exercise when that data is not interpreted correctly or is not applied.

I would argue that the majority of the soil testing that occurs is to simply tick a box ☑️ (both at sales rep & farmer level) & superficially give the impression nutrient inputs are justified by the data.

But are they really? Typically not.

Some of the major soil parameters that are poorly understood & misinterpreted include pH, phosphorus & sulphur:

👩‍🔬Soil pH

In basic terms, it's the level of free acidity in solution. Is looking at the pH & determining if your soil is or isn't the 'ideal' pH as straight forward as it sounds? A definitive no 🚫

❔Why?
pH can be influenced significantly by a number of factors:
💧Moisture
🌡️Temperature
🧪Cation status
🔬Lab margin of error (+\- 0.2 think about that for a minute!)

The most common misconception is that an 'optimal' pH therefore means you have optimum calcium which is a rookie mistake because there can be a level of elevation (sometimes large) when soil potassium, magnesium or sodium are high - a common misinterpretation often, ignoring a clear calcium deficiency which is then never rectified at the plant's, the animal's & farm's long-term expense 💸

👩‍🔬Soil phosphorus

Most apply the archaic Olsen P which was scientifically concluded as a poor predictor of production.

❔Why?
Largely due to it being tested at a pH 8.5 where the soil chemistry behaves the complete opposite to what occurs in an acidic (

03/09/2025

Today brings a new example of New Zealand’s agricultural industry wasting energy & money to silence anyone who makes noise about the unforgivable level of pollution in our waterways. There are some very big, powerful head honchos that only have making themselves rich as the key objective but at the expense of long-term human health. Anyone who points that out however has a target on their back 🎯

Enter Federated Farmers who want to go to war over one LinkedIn post that called for CEOs to be held accountable....do they not have anything better to do?

Reality is EVERYONE knew you Mike was not seriously suggesting a hanging fest, just very clearly stating there needs to be accountability against those who deliberately put public health at risk.

Everyone who has jumped on the 'out for blood band wagon' (how ironic) either had no capability to simply see what was stated as being needed (accountability not hanging) &/or didn't care because they are the ones needing to be held accountable & saw opportunity to claim they are on the moral high ground (which they certainly are not).

The majority opinion I hear regarding Federated Farmers is that they’re a "waste of time" & is it any wonder, look at what they’re putting all their resources (farmer’s well earnt money) into this week; vilifying an academic because he is being brutally honest about the state of our water & believes those at the root of the problem, those who are making millions off deliberately increasing pollution levels & increasing incidence of cancer, should be held accountable. Well I never, what an idea💡Throw in drunk drivers while we're at it.

Granted the wording was very strong (got attention didn’t it?! 👏), referring to capital punishment that was once used to remove evil yet the whole point of the conversation has been completely ignored – there needs to be meaningful accountability & it needs to start at the top.

So despite the cumulative, overwhelming evidence that our water nitrate levels are too high 📈, not acknowledging the increased colorectal cancer risk at current limits or last year’s GNS Science trial that identified over 30 areas which exceeded current WHO limits (which are damn high & damn hard to exceed!), no action is taken & the current daft government along with the CEO money grabbers are all pushing for double production, much to the delight of the fertiliser industry🫰.

Stupidity right?

Yet when there is a very obvious tongue-in-cheek suggestion that the tables are turned from the innocent human suffering to suggestion to those who are happily allowing it to happen (eye for an eye), the ‘feds’ refer the comments as “extreme, violent and dangerous views” & “totally unacceptable” - "dangerous"?! Seems the other way round to me.

There's no emoji that represents that level of idiocracy.

Fed Farmers claim “we care deeply about the future of rural New Zealand and we want our members to have a bright future. Above all, we want to benefit rural New Zealand and empower farmers to continue”. How is trapping our farmers into thinking the only way to farm is by doubling production & pouring on unnecessary amounts of nitrogen "empowering" or “a bright future” for anyone?

It’s a bit like that Polish CEO dick who stole the cap from the kid at the tennis but then denies all foul play despite evidence being clear as day. I would argue the world would be a heck of a lot better off without those sorts of individuals too ❌

; ; ; ;

01/09/2025

A bit belated but last week’s farm work was in Wairoa after being rained out week before last & too muddy to get around.

Six farms, two 14-hour days & still a lot of mud but at least sunshine & warmth!

Jazz was my little four-legged supervisor on the last day making sure I did a good job. I chose however not to go down the hills quite as she preferred – head first & on the back (although nearly on a couple of occasions). I did finish the day just as grubby though!

Thanks to everyone who got me around the farms safely despite a bit of slip n slide as we went.

31/08/2025

This is a LinkedIn post of mine which I’ve censored a bit for Facebook purposes 🤐

Are we really leading the world?

It’s said time & time again, Kiwi farmers are the “best in the world”, “the most efficient”, “the lowest emissions”, “the best animal welfare” the accolades go on.

But who says this? We do, the Kiwis. Self-proclaimed pats on the backs with little justification outside our own island bubble. If we were to take a closer look at the progress the rest of the world is making in terms of science, regulation & environmental efforts, we’re left for dust. Instead, our industry bodies use the excuse “our systems are different”, “that’s not applicable here”, "our cows are different" to phoo phoo the idea of taking a harder look inside what we do & how we can improve.

Truth be told, if we were to actually be the best in the world, these industry organisation’s CEOs will not have as big of a paycheck that they currently get away with. It's not about the farmers, it's about the sales & the big wigs' salaries.

Soil health, pasture management, environmental outcomes, animal health, nutrition & welfare…all areas that for the most part are not done well here with the very simple basics forgotten & sadly an industry infiltrated by organisations & poorly educated (if educated at all) consultants that have tunnel vision.

Look at how much winter nitrogen is being applied across the country currently. While there are a few one-off scenarios that are forgivable, winter nitrogen applications are NOT OK regardless of the farming system.

Winter nitrogen or DAP reliance is a symptom of, not just a wealthy sales rep but a broken system or an overstocked one that cannot maintain its level of production sustainably. Often very poor soil health at the root of it all yet left undiagnosed because the wrong metrics are being used.

We continue to use ‘old science’, science that was new 50 years ago & once applicable when we knew no better to promote the use of high input, soluble fertilisers like nitrogen even during the middle of winter. Lets not kid ourselves with “spring starts on the 1st September” – it doesn’t, either officially or climatically. Most don’t lamb in spring (NI especially), we lamb in the middle of winter when the feed supply is at an all-time low & the demand at its highest consequently with unnecessary losses & slower growth.

Similarly, dairy calving is in the middle of winter yet advisors insist the most ‘efficient’ feed is the pasture. But we don’t have enough to grass to feed the stock so lets throw the nitrogen on in the middle of winter & then follow the cows thereafter. The ‘bury our heads’ & ‘she’ll be right’ attitude.

When the going gets tough, the nitrogen gets going.

It’s not “strategic N”, it’s reliance on N that’s the problem.

As an industry, we can’t claim we’re leading the world when we rely on using winter nitrogen to ignore a broken system.
Farm consultants & sales reps have a lot to answer for as they convince farmers nitrogen is the only way their farm isn't going bust. Your average-Joe Lincoln or Massey trained aka Ballance/Ravensdown funded farm consultant doesn’t actually know any better & only has one tool in their toolbox...nitrogen & if that doesn’t work, a higher rate of nitrogen.

If your consultant or sales rep is telling you you need winter N, look into why because it's not only an expensive process in terms of product cost but is not conducive to good animal health or a sustainable system.

23/08/2025

I’ve seen advertised recently a company (& to be fair, plenty of others before them) promoting ‘independent advice’ as a key factor in their farmer successes. There are always two questions I apply to such claims:

1️⃣ What is the actual validity of these ‘successes’, the ‘improvements’ claimed to have occurred as a direct result of the advice? It’s bloody difficult to attribute improvements to one given factor, especially with the extreme seasonality we experience. If the data being used for promotion is a continuous upwards trend in improvement over multiple years since the change in question has been implemented, then sure, that’s a promising result but if it’s only a year or two, then it’s not so convincing (yet at least).

2️⃣ Is there true independence? Usually, not at all & the story is a form of trickery. If you’re not sure how to tell if they’re fully independent, a good start will be knowing where their payment is coming from because if you’re not paying them, then who is?

Thanks to a bit of AI (& lack of time), here are a few characteristics of an independent advisor:

❗Unbiased Advice:

Free from corporate affiliations and have no allegiance to specific financial institutions, ensuring recommendations are based solely on your needs.

‼️Wider Market Access:

Independent advisors can search the entire market for the most suitable products and services, rather than being limited to a select few.

❗Client-Focused Approach:

Their primary goal is to serve your interests, not an employer's or sales target, leading to more tailored, client-focused planning.

‼️Objectivity and Professional Standards:

Independent advisors often operate under regulations and professional codes of conduct to maintain high standards of service and ensure they act in your best interest.

Unfortunately no such regulation exists in NZ for the agricultural industry (& many others) so it is up to you to do due diligence.

❗Fiduciary Duty:

Many independent advisors uphold a fiduciary duty, meaning they have a legal obligation to act in their clients' best financial interests.

Interestingly, this would apply to the obligation cooperatives have to their shareholders however I can think of some really good working examples both in NZ & AUS where this is not upheld ❌

A good quote I’ve used from EBAdvisors given its applicability here is that “you can’t truly provide independent advice when you have a vested interest in one option being more profitable than another”. Damn right ✔️

…In short, if your ‘independent advisor’ happens to also sell the products he/she wants you to use or has an agreement with specific companies & therefore does not have the entire market choice, then they are NOT independent.

Independent & self employed are two very different terms that ‘advisors’ tend to apply interchangeably as a method of deception. If you are not paying your advisor directly (an hourly rate), then they are getting paid from someone else which will likely be at your expense.

(P.S. not my face, borrowed for impact 😆).

22/08/2025

Week of the 24th September I will be working between mid-Canterbury, heading up to beautiful Marlborough. Anyone interested in a farm meeting, flick me a message as I will be confirming my flights & schedule in coming days.

For those who are unfamiliar, I offer FULLY independent fertiliser & ruminant nutrition advice for all farm systems to increase farm sustainability, efficiency & profitability. Farm profits are only as healthy as the stock & it all starts from the ground up with a 'whole farm's systems' approach to soil, plant & animal health.

Looking further ahead, my following trip across the Cook Straight will be somewhere around the end of October/November.
...Christmas is scaringly fast approaching! 😬

18/08/2025

Tentatively looking at booking my next Waikato - South Auckland trip first week of September. Anyone interested in a meeting please get in touch ASAP.

Farm Nutrient Advisory Ltd.

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