Ian Maxwell

Growing more with less nitrogen: We talk to Ian Maxwell about his Tow and Fert story

We’ve saved around 36 tonnes of nitrogen by using the Tow and Fert.

For West Coast dairy farmer Ian Maxwell, changing how nitrogen is applied has been about more than reducing fertiliser use. It’s about producing better quality pasture, getting more from every kilogram of nitrogen, and running a system that’s both more profitable and more environmentally responsible.

Before introducing the Tow and Fert system, Ian relied on conventional dry urea applications. Farming in an area that receives more than 4.2 metres of rain each year, he knew heavy nitrogen applications didn’t always translate into pasture his herd could use well.

Before we got the Tow and Fert, we were just using normal dry urea in spreadable form.

High rainfall combined with heavy nitrogen applications can lead to lush, watery pasture that isn’t always well utilised by livestock.

That, coupled with nitrogen, just leaves you with a lot of soup in the grass, which cows don’t really digest that well.

By moving to the Tow and Fert system and applying smaller amounts of dissolved nitrogen more often, Ian has reduced his overall nitrogen inputs while maintaining productive pasture — the “little and often” approach in practice.

With the Tow and Fert machine, we’ve reduced that amount of water in the grass by putting less nitrogen on.

The financial impact has been substantial.

So this year we’ve saved around 36 tonnes of nitrogen by using the Tow and Fert. That has equated to a saving of about $18,000 in nitrogen.

For Ian, the benefits extend beyond fertiliser savings. As environmental expectations continue to rise across the dairy industry, he sees the Tow and Fert system as part of producing grass more efficiently while reducing unnecessary losses.

Once upon a time, environmental never really had a part to play in our farming practice. Now it has to be. It has to be environmentally friendly.

Because applications can be timed to suit conditions, Ian values having greater control over when nutrients go on.

Using the Tow and Fert means that you spray it on fine days when it’s not raining. Nothing runs to water. Nothing gets wasted.

Standing in a paddock 30 days after applying just 18 units of nitrogen, Ian points to the result.

This is 30 days. This is 18 units. This is what it equals. You can see the density in here. Good thick tucker.

For Ian, the outcome is simple: better pasture quality, lower nitrogen inputs, and a system that gives him confidence in both the profitability and sustainability of his farm.

Lovely grass. Lovely pats. Lovely grass equals healthy, wealthy cows.

Results are specific to Ian’s farm and management system. Individual results will vary depending on rainfall, soil, stocking rate and farm practice.