Ross McKenzie
Southland, New Zealand
This story was filmed in 2018 and reflects one farmer’s own experience with their Tow and Fert. Every farm is different, so please treat it as a story rather than a forecast for your place.
Applying less fertiliser, and putting it on when the pasture needs it.
In the Deep South of New Zealand, at Longwood near Riverton, Ross McKenzie switched his fertiliser programme to the Tow and Fert. This is his account of what changed.
Ross had read up on fine particle fertiliser and wanted to try it on his own farm. At the time the only way to apply it was by helicopter. He knew that would be expensive, but he liked what he saw after the first round in early spring.
Looking for a cheaper and easier way to do it himself, he found the Tow and Fert and decided it was the right option for dissolving urea and applying fine particle fertilisers on his own farm.
On the cost, Ross says, “We expected payback after 5 years, but with the cost savings we are getting now, coming to the end of our 2nd year, we believe we will be all paid back, including running costs, fuel and labour in only 3 years. The Tow and Fert has been an excellent buy for us.”
As he used his Multi 4000 more, Ross started putting other products through it. He now mixes his maintenance fertiliser and applies it through the season, in five applications a year, as well as following the cows with urea and ProGib.
Thinking about Tow and Fert?
Talk with a specialist
Tell us about your operation and we’ll match the right model and setup for you.
We are now not tied to our local bulky or the helicopter company for the application of our fertiliser. Every farmer wants the bulky right away.
Ross McKenzie
Before the Tow and Fert, Ross was spreading solid urea, at rates that depended on the time of year and the weather. In his words, “Now, with the Tow and Fert, we are getting the fertiliser on when we want it on and when our pasture needs it and we are applying approximately 1/2 what we used to.”
Ross points to his farm reports: “At the end of last season when we sat down and analysed our farm reports and production we found we had grown over 10% more grass than we had the previous year and as this season closes I believe we will be very similar again. Our grass growth has been great.”
He says his neighbours have noticed too. “And that probably gives you more of an indication of how we are growing grass than any scientific data.”
Asked what he’d say to someone thinking about one, Ross put it his own way: “If anyone is looking at buying a Tow and Fert, all they have to do is come and have a look at our pastures. The improvement we have had here, the quality of the grass, the ease of use of the machine, is second to none. The quality of what we have growing here now, compared to what we used to, is just fantastic. Ask my neighbours what they think, they will tell you!”
