TRENDS IN NUTRIENT APPLICATIONS IN THE HERBERT RIVER DISTRICT FROM 1996 TO 2006

NUTRIENT RECOMMENDATIONS have been suggesting for a number of years that growers should be reducing their applications of nitrogen and phosphorus and increasing the amount of potassium and sulphur that they use. Data on fertiliser application rates, collected by Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd. from growers as part of their annual data collection for each cane farm in the district, were used to examine long term trends in nutrient applications in the Herbert. Another dataset from Incitec Pivot for the same time period, based on fertiliser sales, was used for comparison. These data indicate a steady reduction in nitrogen usage and suggest a recent reduction in phosphorus usage for the period 1996–2006 in the Herbert. Little change in potassium and sulphur use occurred during the same time period. The impact of current nutrient management recommendations, movements in sugar and fertiliser prices and environmental pressures on the industry are discussed as possible contributing influences on these trends.