Nitrification inhibitors
Nitrification inhibitors, a product applied to cows’ urine patches, can increase pasture growth while lowering nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching into waterways. Tests show 30 to 70 per cent lower nitrous oxide production through their use in some regions and under ideal conditions.
Trials have also shown that nitrification inhibitors can improve pasture growth by between 15 to 20 per cent under the best conditions, but results are variable.
Fonterra, the New Zealand Government and our industry partners are together investing NZ$10 million in research into the effectiveness of nitrification inhibitors in reducing emissions of nitrous oxide and nitrate leaching.
