Management aspects of phosphate fertiliser use on hill country : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Farm Management at Massey University

Abstract

Farmer decisions relating to phosphate fertiliser use greatly influence farm profitability, and Farm Advisory Officers receive many requests for assistance in making fertiliser decisions. The Cornforth/Sinclair Phosphate Maintenance Model predicts the annual loss of phosphate from grazed pasture production systems. This model is studied in this thesis and used as the basis for an investigation of phosphate use strategies on a sample of Manawatu hill country properties. Alternative management strategies on three case study farms are analysed.