Can farmers become less reliant on synthetic fertiliser? Some are trying

Geopolitical instability thousands of kilometres from Australian soil is creating a quiet crisis for the nation’s agricultural sector. As the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, fertiliser supply chains are tightening and prices are surging, forcing farmers to reconsider their planting strategies.

The volatility highlights a critical vulnerability in Australia’s food security. The country produces only a fraction of the fertiliser it requires, with nearly all nitrogen fertiliser—including urea—being imported.

Approximately 60 per cent of the country’s urea travels through the Middle East, leaving the domestic supply chain highly susceptible to overseas conflict and blockades.

The Shift Away from Synthetic Dependence

In response to these pressures, some producers are attempting to break their reliance on what organic farmers describe as the “drug” of nitrogen and urea. In Sunnyside, Tasmania, organic dairy farmer Mark Lambert has avoided synthetic fertilisers for over a decade.

Lambert maintains soil health by balancing pH levels and growing a minimum of three species of grass, clover, and herbs. He utilizes phosphate rock, lime, dolomite, gypsum, and recycled cow manure to sustain his pastures.

While this low-input method may result in lower yields, the organic milk market offers a better price guarantee, which helps offset the reduced output.

Hybrid Approaches and Scientific Research

Other growers are adopting a middle ground. Marcus Burns, an apple and wine-grape grower in Spreyton, uses synthetic fertilisers in smaller quantities, treating urea as a “short fix” rather than a sustainable foundation.

Burns has incorporated natural supplements, including a silicon product made in Australia from crushed glass, to make ground elements more available to plants and create a more circular system.

Parallel to these field efforts, researchers at the University of Tasmania are investigating ways to maintain productivity with fewer chemicals. Research fellow Zac Beechey-Gradwell has found that nitrogen use could be halved—from 300 kilograms to 150 kilograms—if sufficient white clover is incorporated into dairy pastures.

However, this transition is a “long game.” Implementing white clover requires specific soil pH, proper irrigation, and disciplined grazing management, meaning it may not solve immediate price crises.

The Economic Barrier to Change

Despite the interest in regenerative practices, independent agronomist Chris Cheek warns that synthetic fertilisers remain the only viable option for many. Certain crops cannot reach a break-even point without them, making the “synthetic treadmill” a financial necessity.

Cheek observes that while farmers are often asset-rich, they frequently carry enormous mortgages and overdrafts. This financial pressure forces producers to choose the cheapest possible options, which usually means synthetic fertilisers.

Alternative options, such as poppy waste, feedlot waste, and chicken manure, are effective but remain finite, expensive, and difficult to balance.

Future Outlook

As global instability continues, Australian farmers may be more likely to increase soil testing to identify exactly where they can cut back on synthetics.

There is a possibility that more growers could move toward hybrid models or organic certifications if consumer willingness to pay higher prices increases.

In the long term, the adoption of nitrogen-fixing legumes like white clover could potentially improve the resilience of the dairy sector, though this would likely be a gradual transition rather than an overnight shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Strait of Hormuz important for Australian farmers?
Most fertiliser is a by-product of the oil industry, and about 60 per cent of Australia’s imported urea travels through the Middle East, making the supply chain vulnerable to blockades in that region.

Can white clover completely replace synthetic nitrogen?
Research from the University of Tasmania suggests that white clover can halve nitrogen requirements (from 300kg to 150kg), but it requires specific pH levels, irrigation, and management to work.

Why don’t more farmers switch to organic fertilisers?
Many farmers face high debt from mortgages and overdrafts, forcing them to use the cheapest inputs to remain viable. Consumers are often unwilling to pay the higher prices required to support low-input farming.

Do you believe consumers should pay more for food to help farmers move away from synthetic fertilisers?