Artificial Intelligence to revolutionise fertiliser use for NZ farmers and growers

Artificial Intelligence to revolutionise fertiliser use for NZ farmers and growers

• Fertiliser plans could deliver benefits between $50–$150 per ha. 
• Accurate, picture of soil nutrient needs without having to do a fresh round of soil tests.
• Automated data assistance for NZFAP audits. 
• Sheep and beef farmers – from Sep 2025 
• Dairy farmers – autumn 2026.
• Arable sector – to follow in 2026.

Ravensdown has launched a pilot programme across 18 farms to trial HawkEye Pro – a new system that could reduce fertiliser costs, drive precision application and improve production for New Zealand’s sheep and beef, dairy and arable farms.

HawkEye Pro uses deep learning, a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), decades of soil data, and cutting-edge mapping software to create detailed maps of soil nutrient levels across an entire farm without the need for a fresh round of soil testing.  

“We’ve combined our deep expertise in soil science with the latest in digital technology to produce a tool that will make a tangible difference for farmers and growers,” says Mike White, Ravensdown’s Head of Product and Service Development. 

The patent pending software ties into the existing HawkEye platform and uses data already in the system including previous soil tests to predict soil nutrient levels down to a 10 x 10 metre cell for sheep and beef farms.

HawkEye Pro uses the soil nutrient status predictions to produce maps of where fertiliser should, and importantly should not, be placed – calculating the right product and rates.

“We’ve been working towards this software for 20 years and now the emerging technology has allowed us to deliver on our vision,” says White. 

White said the precision fertiliser plans could deliver a total cost reduction between $50–$150 per hectare through efficient placement and rate selection of fertiliser and resulting increase in land productivity where soil fertility is holding it back.

The pilot involves 13 dairy farms across both islands, and five sheep and beef operations in North Island hill country.

White said the goal of the pilot was to ensure the enhanced fertiliser plans produced are practical, and usable.

“The feedback we have already received from those using the pilot-software has been positive.

“One farmer told us they were under pressure to combine information for NZFAP audits, and this tool has really helped. It does that environmental thinking automatically as part of the fertiliser plan,” White said.

HawkEye Pro is the evolution of HawkEye, technology released by Ravensdown in 2017 which integrates mapping, nutrient trending, and decision support tools into a single platform, helping farmers manage their operations more effectively.  

The new evolution will bring more detailed nutrient insights, integrate AI to provide more specific feedback and recommendations, and will have the ability to generate a precise fertiliser plan tailored to your farm.

An early limited release for sheep and beef farming is set for September 2025. The tool will be available for dairy farmers from autumn 2026 and will be available for the arable sector as new functionality drops during 2026.

“This isn’t just another farm tech tool, it is at the heart of pasture and crop production. This is the next generation of smart, sustainable farming, which utilises Ravensdown’s extensive research and on-farm data to deliver higher productivity to farmers,” says White.