Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser cap: implementation guidance on Essential Freshwater policies and regulations
Guidance for councils, farmers and farm advisors on implementing the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser cap.
Guidance for councils, farmers and farm advisors on implementing the synthetic nitrogen fertiliser cap.
The synthetic nitrogen fertiliser cap is one of several regulations that aim to reduce the amount of nitrogen in waterways. It took effect in July 2021.
Nitrogen is a major pollutant of freshwater.
If you are a dairy farmer, you are required to provide a report by the end of July each year on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use.
You can submit information on your synthetic-nitrogen fertiliser use to your regional council by filling out this webform [Te Uru Kahika website]
Note: You do not need to fill out the webform if you have recorded your synthetic nitrogen fertiliser application through Ballance’s MyBallance app or Ravensdown’s HawkEye app.
For more on environmental matters that affect farming communities see the Rural hub
The cap applies to all grazed land (including grass and annual forage crop) except for the grazing of livestock on the stubble of arable crops, with the following conditions.
Affected farm managers need to record or retain from 1 July2021, the following.