A fertiliser company that boasts a long and proud history, Taranaki-based Osflo Fertiliser, will next year be celebrating 60 years in business, and during the course of those years, it has evolved into a highly regarded supplier of customised blends, specialising in nutrient application and soil-first solutions that build healthy soils, an approach that sets it apart from the mainstream.
“The business was established by a team of rural people who were driven by the desire to offer farmers a sustainable fertiliser.”
Business Development Manager Mel Sorrensen is joined by the company’s General Manager Scott Cameron and Director Dave Geraghty as they share with Business North just what the company is all about. “The business was established by a team of rural people who were driven by the desire to offer farmers a sustainable fertiliser.”
“In 2002, we became the first organic fertiliser business to receive Fertmark registration, a milestone we were very proud of because it assured customers that the nutrient analysis and quality of our composted chicken litter was consistent, reliable and independently verified,” Dave says. A few years later, the composted chicken litter gained BioGro certification, giving farmers pursuing organic certification confidence that the products met the standards required for use in certified organic systems.
The business is based near Inglewood, where the bulk store creates customised blends ordered by farmers. A key ingredient in Osflo’s fertiliser blends originates from the poultry industry. Chicken litter is collected by Osflo trucks and brought to site, where it is composted and pasteurised before being transformed into a valuable nutrient source. This process turns a by-product into a resource, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable, circular nutrient management.
“We work predominantly across the Taranaki region, with conventional dairy farmers making up around 80% of our customer base. We also supply customers involved in cropping, land remediation and regenerative farming systems, giving us a diverse range of customers across a variety of land uses,” says Mel. “While dairy remains our core market, we are seeing growing opportunities in sectors beyond dairy, particularly in horticulture and kiwifruit.”
Scott says the importance of soil-first farming is increasingly being recognised across the broader agricultural sector, as more farmers seek to balance productivity with long-term soil health. A benefit of providing quality organic matter to the soil is its ability to enhance soil life, reduce compaction and improve water-holding capacity, characteristics that deliver sustainable long-term productive outcomes.
With extensive experience in soil and plant nutrition, the company’s technical specialists work alongside growers to assess soil health, understand production goals and develop tailored nutrient blends that support both productivity and long-term soil performance. Particular attention is paid to soil biology, with earthworm and fungal populations serving as practical indicators of soil health and biological activity.
At the heart of the business are the drivers and operations team – the people who have kept the wheels turning and upheld the values that have carried the company through six decades. Their dedication and commitment have helped build a business that spans generations. Sixty years is a remarkable achievement, but longevity is not created by buildings or machinery. It is built by people, and by the relationships and trust they foster every day.
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