Fertiliser Quality Council (FQC)

Set up by farmers for farmers, the FQC is responsible for the  Fertmark and Spreadmark initiatives.

Serving farmers for 25 years

The FQC has been providing independent fertiliser quality assurance for farmers, growers and other fertiliser users since the government withdrew from fertiliser auditing in 1992.

About the FQC

Using the “Marks”

The Fertmark tick guarantees that the labeled contents of the fertiliser product are correct. The Spreadmark logo gives farmers and growers assurance that the spreading company – ground or aerial – is certified to distribute the fertiliser accurately and evenly.

NZ Groundspread Fertiliser Association

nzgfa-logoFormed in 1956, the NZGFA promotes the interests of both individuals and companies involved in the distribution of bulk lime and other fertilisers.

 

Choose the best

Spreading nutrients, whether from the ground or from the air, is a highly skilled profession. Spreadmark certified companies have passed the test.

 

Resources at the ready

The recently updated Conduct of Field Experiments by PB Lynch is now available to download. Revised in 1966 this short and easy to read book is essential reading for scientists, varsity students and fertiliser companies. Originating out of the Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre it shares the basic principles of scientific technique. Written over half a century ago, these are still highly relevant today.

Proud to partner

sfs-logoThe FQC is proud to support the Ministry for Primary Industries’ sustainable farming fund’s Soil, Food and Society project. This new science teaching tool for educators of students in Years 5 – 8 draws on ‘the story of where our food comes from’ to promote scientific and critical thinking as well as discussion around New  Zealand’s important economic role as a food producer.
www.soilfoodsociety.online

Farmers who use a Fertmark registered fertiliser product together with a Spreadmark accredited company can be assured of the best agricultural, environmental and economic returns.

Fertmark

Fertiliser bearing the Fertmark tick means that the product has been independently audited to ensure that what’s on the label is what’s in the bag.  The Fertmark Code has recently been revised to include enhanced fertiliser products.

Apply for Fertmark Certification
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Spreadmark

The Spreadmark scheme is a quality assurance programme that guarantees accurate fertiliser distribution by trained operators, using certified spreading machinery and a management system that puts economic and environmental farmer/grower outcomes first.

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Guidelines


FQC guidelines for manufacturers and distributors – download, print and display

About the NZFQC

Set up by farmers for farmers, the FQC was formed in 1992 initially to provide an assurance programme for the use of quality fertiliser products. Later, its role was extended to include accurate, ‘on-target’ fertiliser distribution.

Incorporated in 2001, the FQC comprises over 30 executives from across the agricultural spectrum. The Council meets twice a year to review activity, approve budgets and expenditure and discuss pertinent topics affecting the fertiliser and fertiliser spreading industries – aerial and ground.

The Council is responsible for both the Fertmark and Spreadmark initiatives.

Fertmark was devised in 1992 as a fertiliser quality assurance scheme after the government withdrew from fertiliser auditing. The scheme involves an independent audit whereby only quality products are approved and awarded with the Fertmark tick. There are currently 14 companies in the programme with over 69 registered products.

Spreadmark is a fertiliser quality assurance scheme founded by the New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers Association (NZGFA) in 1998. The logo can be seen on the trucks of over 75 companies in New Zealand

Find out more …

Using the Marks

The ‘marks’ may only be used by Fertmark or Spreadmark approved companies.

Only companies whose fertiliser and nutrient products have been independently audited, and approved, may display the Fertmark tick on their packaging.

Only spreading companies who have been independently audited, have had their spreading trucks and planes tested, their management systems checked and their drivers and pilots trained may display the Spreadmark motif.

Find out more …

© New Zealand Fertiliser Quality Council 2021.