Why is there no legislation in Australia that guides nitrogen use on farms, compared to other countries such as the Netherlands and New Zealand?

Last updated 29/01/2025

Nitrogen cycles through dairy farming systems from the soil, through the cow and back onto the pasture through urine and dung.

Farming systems generally rely on additional nutrients such as nitrogen in the form of fertiliser for optimal pasture growth but poor fertiliser management can lead to significant amounts of nutrients being lost to the environment.

These losses contribute greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere and contaminate waterways and groundwater.

For this reason, the Australian dairy industry has prioritised nutrient management on dairy farms and has set a 2030 target for 100% adoption of nutrient management plans under our Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework.

Managing nutrients such as nitrogen in a dairy system is complex and specific to individual farms. Australia’s dairy industry is also distinctly different to New Zealand and other countries in terms of both operation and importantly, geology, rainfall and other environmental factors.

The Environment Protection Authorities (EPA) in each state have responsibility for managing environmental issues - this includes keeping effluent and nutrients such as nitrogen on farms and out of waterways.

The dairy industry encourages farmers to be proactive in understanding why fertiliser should be applied to their specific farm. Approximately 85% of dairy farmers undertake soil testing of their individual farm paddocks (2020 farmer survey) – this helps ensure the right rate, right place and right time for fertiliser use. It also makes economic sense as farmers can get the maximum benefit from their fertiliser and not have excess fertiliser run-off.