--- title: "Fertiliser volatility: practical ways to improve efficiency" description: Fertiliser costs and supply are under pressure. Explore practical, research-backed ways to improve nutrient efficiency using soil conditioners and biological inputs. image: https://www.mynoke.co.nz/hubfs/iStock-2265963203.jpg --- # Fertiliser volatility: practical ways to improve efficiency By MyNoke | 24 April 2026 - Explore Categories - [News ](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/tag/news) - [Insider ](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/tag/insider) ![The Strait of Hormuz, a corridor that one third of global fertiliser moves through](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-2265963203.jpg?width=1028&height=685&name=iStock-2265963203.jpg) - - - Back in [June 2025, ](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/navigating-urea-volatility-biological-inputs-are-part-of-the-solution)we wrote about urea volatility and the role biological inputs could play in reducing reliance on synthetic fertiliser. Less than a year on, that conversation has shifted from “emerging risk” to **current reality**. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East - particularly disruption through the Strait of Hormuz - is now materially affecting global fertiliser and fuel supply. That matters because: At the same time, fuel costs are climbing - compounding the cost of producing, transporting, and applying fertiliser. This isn’t just a price issue. It’s a **systems issue**. #### **Why nitrogen is particularly exposed** Nitrogen fertiliser (like urea) is tightly linked to energy markets. That’s why global events - whether it’s war, gas shortages, or export restrictions - tend to hit nitrogen hardest. The knock-on effect is already visible globally: #### What this means on-farm For most New Zealand farmers, the challenge isn’t whether to use fertiliser, it’s how to **use it more efficiently under pressure**. When inputs become expensive or uncertain, there are only a few levers available: That third option is where soil condition and biology start to matter more. #### **Where soil conditioners and biostimulants fit** There’s been growing interest in soil conditioners and biological products but it’s worth being clear about what they can and can’t do. They are **not direct substitutes for fertiliser**. Most don’t supply nutrients in the same quantities. Based on a growing body of research, what they can do is support the **efficiency of nutrient use** by influencing: Different products approach this in different ways. #### **A practical look at some of the options** **Compost** Adds organic matter and improves soil structure and moisture retention. Well supported by research for long-term soil health but nutrient release is slow, and large volumes are typically required to shift fertility. **Humates (humic & fulvic substances)** Can improve nutrient availability and root growth in some systems. Evidence shows variable responses depending on soil type, crop, and existing organic matter levels, so results aren’t always consistent. **Seaweed extracts** Often used to support plant stress tolerance (e.g. drought or cold). Generally act more as **plant biostimulants** than soil builders. **Microbial inoculants** Introduce specific beneficial microbes. Can be effective in controlled conditions, but field performance can be inconsistent - particularly where soils already contain established microbial communities. **Vermicast (worm castings)** Vermicast is positioned slightly differently because it combines: Peer-reviewed studies have shown vermicast can: However, responses vary depending on soil type, climate, and application rate - as with any input. #### **Linking back to fertiliser efficiency** The key point isn’t that biological inputs replace fertiliser. It’s that they can influence how efficiently fertiliser performs in the system. Mechanisms that are supported in the literature include: In practical terms, that can mean: But outcomes are system-dependent and should be validated on-farm where possible. #### **Where this leaves us** The key takeaway from the past 12 months is that fertiliser supply and pricing are no longer stable background assumptions. They are **strategic risks**. Even if supply improves in the short term, the underlying drivers - energy dependence, geopolitics, and global trade concentration - aren’t going away. So the question isn’t whether to use fertiliser. It’s how to build systems that are: Biological inputs - including vermicast - won’t solve that on their own. But as part of a wider approach, they are increasingly being considered - not as a replacement, but as a way to **get more from what’s already being applied**. If you'd like to try vermicast to get more out of your fertiliser [get in touch](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/contact) - we'd love to hear from you. By MyNoke | 24 April 2026 - - - ## Related Reads [ ### Navigating Urea Volatility: Biological inputs are part of the solution Global events continue to shake up local farming, and urea - the backbone of many nutrient plans -... View Article ](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/navigating-urea-volatility-biological-inputs-are-part-of-the-solution) [ ### Feed the Soil Before Summer As spring warms up and the days lengthen, many farmers are already looking ahead to the dry months... View Article ](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/feed-the-soil-before-summer) [ ### Why Continuous Innovation Matters at MyNoke: R&D-Driven Vermicomposting for New Zealand’s Growers and Councils Supporting soil health, organic waste diversion and circular economy outcomes through continuous... View Article ](https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/why-continuous-innovation-matters-at-mynoke-rd-driven-vermicomposting-for-new-zealands-growers-and-councils) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "MyNoke", "url" : "https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/author/mynoke" }, "dateModified" : "2026-04-24T00:22:29.403Z", "datePublished" : "2026-04-24T00:22:29.000Z", "headline" : "Fertiliser volatility: practical ways to improve efficiency", "image" : [ "https://www.mynoke.co.nz/hubfs/iStock-2265963203.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.mynoke.co.nz/blog/fertiliser-volatility-practical-ways-to-improve-efficiency", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.mynoke.co.nz/hubfs/MyNoke%20Assets/MyNoke_Logo.svg" }, "name" : "MyNoke" } } ```