Better fertiliser decisions for cropping systems in Australia

LogoFertiliser decisions made by grain growers should all start with, and rely on, knowledge of the fertility status of paddocks. These decisions need to account for the nutrient requirements of plants for growth, nutrient availability in soils, and nutrient losses that can occur during crop growth (e.g. de-nitrification or erosion).

The Making Better Fertiliser Decisions for Cropping Systems in Australia project (BFDC) aims to provide the fertiliser industry, agency staff and agribusiness advisors with knowledge and resources to improve nutrient recommendations for optimising crop production. BFDC is recognised by the Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia as the best available data for supporting the decision tools that fertiliser industry members use to formulate recommendations.

BFDC is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation. The project is led by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Canola fieldThe collaborative BFDC team includes:

  • Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia
  • International Plant Nutrition Institute
  • South Australian Research and Development Institute
  • Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
  • Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
  • Department of Primary Industries Victoria
  • Tasmanian Institute for Agricultural Research
  • Incitec Pivot Fertilisers
  • CSBP
  • Summit Fertilisers
  • Impact Fertilisers
  • Superfert
  • Geographic Web Solutions
  • K I P Consultancy Services
  • Reuter and Associates
  • Back Paddock Company
  • CSIRO
  • Murdoch University
  • University of Adelaide
  • Landmark
  • Elders
  • Dodgshun Medlin

The collaborative team also included substantial contributions from many current and retired scientists and industry persons from across Australia.

For more information visit the BFDC website.

Contact details

Tony Cox
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Orange Agricultural Institute
1447 Forest Road | ORANGE NSW 2800
M: 0427259691 | Office 63913820 E:

Email: tony.cox@dpi.nsw.gov.au