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Fertiliser supplier Incitec Pivot has joined university and Victorian government scientists and grower organisations in a $2.5 million research program aimed at more cost-effective and environment friendly use of nutrients on Australian grain crops.

"The objective is to develop more effective nutrient management strategies for current cropping systems," said Charlie Walker, Incitec Pivot's Product Innovation Manager.

"Fertiliser is one of the largest variable inputs in grain growing, especially in southern Australia, and therefore has a major impact on growers' profitability.

"Nutrient inputs, in particular nitrogen, continue to grow in medium and higher rainfall zones. However, this growth in fertiliser use has not been matched by a corresponding improvement in the efficiency of nutrient uptake by crops."

Mr Walker said that poor efficiency cost growers money and created environmental impacts that could be managed by optimising nutrient supply to crops.

The research will be in three stages:

* Optimising nutrient supply to crops in modern farming systems in southern Australia

* Developing better management practices, taking into account different soil types, crops, seasonal conditions and rotational and tillage systems

* Demonstrating to growers how these management practices can increase their profitability while reducing the off-site impact

The three-year collaborative research program, led by Dr Rob Norton of the University of Melbourne and Dr Roger Armstrong of the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, also involves Latrobe University and the Birchip Cropping Group in northern Victoria.

Funding for the program has been underwritten with $1 million from the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Further support has been provided by the strategic technology fund established by Incitec Pivot's major shareholder, Orica Limited.

Orica's three-year funding will enable Incitec Pivot researchers to engage specialist help in engineering and industrial chemistry to look at potential new products to match nutrient management strategies developed through the program.

Incitec Pivot staff including Rob Christie, regional agronomist for the Wimmera and Mallee, Matt Robertson, south west regional agronomist, and Lee Menhenett, Goulburn Valley agronomist, will play key roles in the research program.

Media contact:
Neville Heydon
Corporate Affairs Manager
Incitec Pivot Limited
Tel 0408 123 160
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