Fertiliser
How to record fertiliser applications
For each fertiliser application, record the date, the paddock or block, the product, the amount per hectare, the area covered, how it was applied and who did it. Zespri lists exactly these for kiwifruit, and Horticulture NZ’s 2026 nutrient code says records of timing, rate, type and rainfall support compliance and planning.
Last updated 17 October 2026. General information only, not legal or compliance advice. Rules differ by product, region and programme, so check the label, your regional plan and your programme’s current requirements.
What to record for each application
Zespri’s fertiliser record requirements are a good checklist for any grower. Each record should show:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Date of application | 12 September 2026 |
| Paddock or block (plus KPIN for kiwifruit) | North Block |
| Product name and type | Urea, 46% nitrogen |
| Quantity applied (rate or concentration) | 150 kg per hectare |
| Area covered | 14 hectares |
| Method of application | Ground spreader, broadcast |
| Who applied it, and the contractor if you used one | Your name, or contractor name and their registration |
That example is made up for illustration. Write down the actual product name from the bag or delivery docket.
Recording kilograms of nitrogen per hectare
Horticulture NZ’s Nutrient Management Code of Practice (version 2.0, June 2026) assesses nitrogen risk by working out the total nitrogen applied to a block over 12 months, from fertiliser and organic inputs like compost, divided by the block’s productive area. To make that easy, record product rate and the product’s nitrogen percentage so you can work out kg N per hectare later.
The code uses annual nitrogen per hectare and the size of a single application as part of its risk groups, so it is worth reading the code or asking your adviser how it applies to your blocks.
Other records that sit alongside
- Timing and weather. The Horticulture NZ code says records of application timing and rainfall support compliance and planning.
- Soil and leaf tests and recommendations. The code lists lab results, nutrient budgets and fertiliser recommendations as evidence for your nutrient management plan.
- Calibration. The code says to calibrate fertiliser spreader equipment at least annually and keep calibration records with the date, who and the method. Zespri also says annual calibration records must be kept for application equipment.
- Contractor accreditation. If a contractor spreads for you, the code says to keep their Spreadmark accreditation or GROWSAFE training certificate.
- Purchase records. Delivery dockets and invoices let you match what was bought to what was applied.
Fertiliser through the sprayer
Liquid and foliar products applied through a sprayer can be recorded like a spray, with the rate per hectare or per 100 litres. Whether a product belongs in a programme’s spray diary or its fertiliser diary depends on the programme and the product, so check with your programme if you are unsure.
Why fertiliser records matter more now
Horticulture NZ’s code notes that freshwater farm plans contain farm maps, risk assessments, action planning and records, and that regional councils may require extra nutrient practices in sensitive catchments. Good application records are the evidence behind those plans. Ask your regional council or adviser what applies in your catchment.
Fertiliser the same way as a spray
Sowsay records fertiliser jobs the same way as sprays: product, rate, area and date, with rates per hectare or per 100 litres. Say “Spread 150 kilos of urea per hectare on North Block, 14 hectares” and check the record it fills in.
30 days free. Then NZ$19 a month or NZ$189 a year per farm. See how Sowsay works.
Questions and answers
What should a fertiliser application record include?
Date, paddock or block, product name and type, quantity applied, area covered, method of application and who applied it. Zespri lists these for kiwifruit, adding the KPIN and the contractor’s registration number. They make a good checklist for any crop.
Do I have to record fertiliser?
It depends on your programme and your regional plan. Zespri says records must be kept of all fertiliser applications, and Horticulture NZ’s 2026 nutrient code treats application records as evidence for a nutrient management plan. Check what your programme and council require.
How do I work out kg of nitrogen per hectare?
Multiply the product rate (kg of product per hectare) by the fraction of the product that is nitrogen. For a 46% nitrogen product at 150 kg per hectare, that is 150 × 0.46 = 69 kg N per hectare. The percentage is on the bag or the supplier’s product sheet.
How long should I keep fertiliser records?
We have not found a single national period. Keeping them for at least as long as your spray records (GROWSAFE says three years for spray records) is a sensible minimum, and your programme may want longer.
Can Sowsay record fertiliser?
Yes. Sowsay records spray and fertiliser jobs the same way, with product, rate, area, date and who applied it. Fertiliser names are matched against a short list that is not verified, so check the name on the confirm screen.
Sources
- Zespri Industry Site: Fertiliser application records
- Horticulture New Zealand: Nutrient Management Code of Practice, version 2.0, June 2026
- Zespri Industry Site: Agrichemical use (records, calibration)
- EPA: Agrichemicals guidance for business (keep records)
- GROWSAFE: Record keeping
Checked 17 October 2026. Programme rules and legislation change, so check the current source. General information only, not legal or compliance advice. Rules differ by product, region and programme, so check the label, your regional plan and your programme’s current requirements.
More guides
- Free templateA free spray diary templateA print-ready spray diary page and CSV templates for sprays and fertiliser. No sign-up.
- Kiwifruit & orchardsSpray diary records for kiwifruit and orchardsZespri’s spray and fertiliser diary expectations, calibration, contractors, and records for other orchard crops.
- AuditsGetting your spray and fertiliser records ready for an auditA practical checklist for audit-ready records, with what Zespri and NZGAP say about reviewing them.
Say it once. Keep the record.
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