High Fertiliser Costs With Low Returns
Paying more but getting less?
Many growers are noticing that fertiliser costs are rising faster than yields or pasture growth. Despite applying standard rates, results can feel inconsistent, patchy, or disappointing.
This isn’t always a problem with the fertiliser itself often, it’s a system efficiency issue. Without efficient nutrient uptake, much of what is applied can be lost to leaching, volatilisation, or poor plant uptake.
Why fertiliser sometimes doesn’t deliver
Several factors affect how effectively plants use fertiliser:
Nutrient losses
Rain, irrigation, and soil conditions can cause nitrogen and other nutrients to be lost before plants can use them.
Low soil biology
Microbes are essential for converting nutrients into plant-available forms. Weak or inactive soil biology reduces nutrient efficiency.
Plant stress
Environmental conditions like drought, waterlogging, heat, or cold reduce uptake, meaning fertiliser applied isn’t fully utilised.
Imbalanced systems
Soil structure, compaction, or low organic carbon can prevent plants from accessing applied nutrients efficiently.
When these factors combine, even high fertiliser rates may give low returns, frustrating growers and increasing costs.
How to improve returns from fertiliser
Better returns usually come from improving the system around fertiliser, not just applying more. Key strategies include:
Supporting soil biology to improve nutrient cycling
Maintaining or increasing soil carbon to boost efficiency
Reducing plant stress during critical growth periods
Applying fertiliser in ways that maximise uptake and minimise losses
These approaches help fertiliser go further, giving better growth with lower waste.
Where our products fit (practical tools growers use)
Our products are not designed to replace fertiliser, but they help maximise efficiency and system performance:
Turbo N
Supports consistent nitrogen response while improving overall nutrient efficiency.
Restore
Provides additional system support for soils under pressure, helping nutrients work more effectively.
Optimise iO
Flexible liquid platforms for growers who want to apply their own nitrogen while supporting soil function and efficiency.
Lazerhume
Foundational soil-support tool to enhance microbial activity and improve nutrient cycling.
These tools are typically used as part of a broader system, not as stand-alone solutions.
When this approach won’t help
Efficiency tools cannot fix:
Extremely low soil fertility or nutrient imbalances
Severe compaction or poor drainage
Chronic plant stress without addressing environmental factors
Basic soil and crop management must be addressed first to see the full benefit.
Related growing problems
High fertiliser costs often occur alongside:
Addressing these interconnected issues improves overall system efficiency and reduces wastage.
Frequently asked questions
Will these products reduce my fertiliser costs?
Yes, by improving nutrient efficiency, more of the fertiliser applied is utilised by plants — but they don’t replace fertiliser entirely.
How quickly will I see improvements?
Improved efficiency can be noticed within a season, but full system benefits build over multiple seasons.
Do I need to change my existing fertiliser program?
Not necessarily — these tools complement existing programs and enhance uptake and efficiency.
Key takeaway
Rising fertiliser costs don’t always mean you need to spend more. Supporting the system around your nutrients — soil biology, carbon flow, and plant health — ensures that fertiliser works harder, improving returns and productivity.
Explore all common growing problems and solutions in our “Growing Problems Hub.”