UPTAKE field trials delivers real gains
In an independent on-farm trial, UPTAKE Fertiliser compared its Foliar and Suspension fertiliser products against an untreated control. The findings clearly demonstrate how targeted, science based nutrient delivery can significantly lift pasture performance and deliver stronger returns. Uptake Suspension Fertiliser Cage Trial Funnell Farm, Taupō (2023–2025)
This independent cage trial was carried out on Funnell Farm in Taupō, on volcanic soils, over the full 2023 - 2025 growing seasons. Monitoring began on 11 December 2023 and continued through to September 2025, providing a robust dataset across multiple seasonal conditions.
The purpose of the trial was to compare pasture growth under three treatments:
· Control (nil fertiliser)
· Foliar fertiliser
· Uptake Suspension Fertiliser
The volcanic soils at Funnell are naturally free draining, biologically active, and often require precise nutrient inputs to maintain pasture production. This made the site ideal for assessing how different fertiliser systems influence grass growth, recovery, and overall feed supply.
Trial finds UPTAKE
yields significant lift
Field Trial - Conclusion
Across the full trial period, the Uptake Suspension programme delivered a 45% increase in total dry matter production compared with the nil-fertiliser control (11,867 kg DM/ha vs 17,150kg DM/ha).
Average daily growth rates improved from 17 kg DM/day under the control to 25 kg DM/day with the Uptake Suspension, while the foliar programme lifted growth to 21 kg DM/day.
A detailed cut-by-cut assessment showed that the suspension fertiliser consistently outperformed both the foliar and control treatments at every measurement, with particularly strong responses during:
· Summer growth peaks
· Late-season recovery periods
· High-demand phases where nutrient availability is critical
These gains highlight the effectiveness of suspension fertiliser in delivering nutrients directly where they’re needed, improving pasture resilience, and ensuring steadier growth across highly variable volcanic soils (tough growing conditions)
By consistently improving growth across all cuts, the suspension system proves its ability to:
Increase total feed grown
Improve daily pasture growth rates
Support pasture recovery in challenging periods
Deliver nutrients efficiently in free-draining volcanic soils
Overall, the trial reinforces the value of targeted nutrient delivery via the Uptake Suspension Fertiliser system for farmers looking to boost pasture performance, feed resilience, and whole-farm productivity
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For a full breakdown on the nutrient delivery to the pasture during this trial, please contact us direct.
The results showed clear, measurable gains in pasture dry matter yield per hectare.
Which is right for you?
Foliar fertilisers are ideal for quick, in-season responses and are often used alongside existing spray programmes.
Suspension fertilisers provide full-spectrum nutrition tailored to your soil and stock requirements, offering a long-lasting, cost-effective solution for sustained growth.
Both systems are backed by soil and herbage testing, with UPTAKE’S in-house agronomy team providing expert support to ensure your fertiliser programme delivers measurable results.
Verified by Independent Expert
This independent trial was conducted by Dr. Gordon Rajendram, one of New Zealand’s foremost soil fertility experts. With over 35 years of experience, a PhD from Waikato University, and two decades at AgResearch, Dr. Rajendram has developed nationally adopted soil tests and contributed to the Overseer nutrient model. With over 70 publications and six patents, he is a trusted authority in fertiliser science, known for delivering unbiased, evidence-based insights that support sustainable, profitable farming.
See the difference on your farm
These trial results confirm what many farmers already know, that precision nutrient delivery leads to better pasture, healthier animals, and stronger financial returns.
Learn how UPTAKE’S foliar or suspension systems can be tailored to your farm: