Tanuki

04/02/2026

Supporting the crops that support us – cotton edition! 👕✨

This month, we’re looking beyond food - to what we wear.

Cotton is one of Australia’s most important and innovative agricultural industries, with growers across Queensland and New South Wales producing fibre recognised globally for its quality and efficiency.

What we admire most about the cotton industry is its focus on continuous improvement - did you know Australian cotton growers are among the most water-efficient in the world?

We recently updated our uniforms to reflect our new branding and our team are now proudly wearing Australian-grown cotton, supplied by Australian-owned RB Sellars - a choice that reflects the growers, regions and industries we work alongside everyday.

If you’re heading to the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast this August, keep an eye out - we’ll be there.

02/02/2026

Foliar Zinc: Cosmetic Fix or Structural Solution?

Foliar zinc has its place — but it’s often misunderstood.

Applied later in the season, foliar zinc can improve leaf colour and visual appearance.

What it can’t do is rebuild early structure already lost to zinc stress.

Why Foliar Zinc Falls Short

🔸 Zinc demand peaks early — during root development and growing point formation
🔸 Once those stages pass, yield potential is already set
🔸 Foliar zinc treats symptoms, not the underlying root-zone constraint

That’s why crops can look greener after foliar zinc yet show limited yield response.

💡 Root-zone zinc builds yield. Foliar zinc polishes it.

Key takeaway: Foliar zinc maintains appearance; root-zone zinc determines yield.

Mighty Micros: Zinc
📌 Missed our last post? It explains why zinc form matters more than rate.

29/01/2026

Why Zinc Form Matters More Than Rate

When zinc underperforms, the instinct is often to apply more.

But in Australian soils, rate is rarely the limiting factor — form is.

Different zinc sources behave very differently once they hit the soil.

Why Form Changes the Outcome

🔸 Solubility
Some forms dissolve quickly; others persist longer under challenging soil conditions.

🔸 Mobility
Zinc moves very little in soil — if it’s not plant-available near roots, it won’t be accessed.

🔸 Stability
Certain forms are more prone to being tied up by pH, phosphorus and carbonate chemistry.

Two zinc programs can apply the same rate —
and deliver very different results.

💡 Effective zinc is about delivery, not dose.

Key takeaway: Zinc rate is easy — zinc delivery is hard.

Mighty Micros: Zinc
📌 Missed our last post? It explains why soil-applied zinc doesn’t always fix zinc deficiency.

28/01/2026

Why Soil-Applied Zinc Doesn’t Always Fix Zinc Deficiency

👉 Relevant to annual crops at establishment.

Applying zinc to soil doesn’t guarantee the crop can use it.

In Australian annual cropping systems, zinc failure is rarely about rate — it’s about access, timing and placement.

That’s why zinc deficiency can persist even after soil application.

The Three Most Common Failure Points

🔸 Availability
Soil-applied zinc can quickly become unavailable in alkaline, sandy or low-organic-matter soils.

🔸 Placement
Zinc sitting outside the active root zone may never be intercepted when early demand peaks.

🔸 Timing
Zinc demand is highest very early — during root development and tiller initiation.
Late soil applications can improve colour, but they can’t rebuild lost structure.

💡 If zinc isn’t available, in the right place, at the right time — the crop behaves as if it was never applied.

Field takeaway: Soil zinc programs fail on access, not intent.

Mighty Micros: Zinc
📌 Missed our last zinc post? It explains why zinc deficiency is commonly misdiagnosed for nitrogen deficiency.

21/01/2026

Pale crops aren’t always short of nitrogen.

Early in the season, zinc deficiency is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed nutrient issues, particularly in cereals — often mistaken for nitrogen stress.

The result?
Nitrogen gets applied…
but the real constraint remains.

How to Tell the Difference

🔸 Nitrogen deficiency
• Symptoms begin on older leaves
• Nitrogen is remobilised to new growth

🔸 Zinc deficiency
• Symptoms appear first in new leaves and growing points
• Reduced tillering, stunted early growth, slower canopy development

Both can look similar from the ute.
Only one responds to more nitrogen.

💡 Early tissue testing is the fastest way to confirm the cause and avoid costly misdiagnosis.

Key takeaway: New-growth symptoms early are rarely fixed with more nitrogen.

Mighty Micros: Zinc
📌 Missed our first post? It explains why zinc deficiency is so common in Australian soils.

15/01/2026

Proud to support the berry sector alongside industry partners. 😊🍓🫐

Whether it’s soil, foliar, or hydroponic nutrition, our chelate range is built to support growers—and our team is always ready to help.

Backing the berry industry, together 🍓

Berry Industry Partner (BIP) members are committed businesses that work closely with growers to support strong, productive berry farms.

Across crop protection, irrigation, cooling, protected cropping, equipment, berry plants and growing media, BIP members provide the tools and expertise that help berry businesses thrive.

👉 Discover our Berry Industry Partners and learn how they can support your operation.

AgNova Technologies Powerplants Australia Eco Trellis Irribiz Tanuki

14/01/2026

Why is Zinc One of Australia’s Most Deficient Micronutrients?

Zinc deficiency remains one of the most common—and often hidden—yield constraints in Australian cropping.

Australia’s unique landscape presents a perfect storm for zinc deficiency:
🔸 Old, weathered soils with naturally low zinc reserves
🔸 High pH (alkaline) soils that lock zinc away from plant roots
🔸 Sandy profiles and low organic matter, reducing nutrient-holding capacity
🔸 High phosphorus (P) use in current farming practices, where P–Zn interactions can reduce zinc uptake

Even when total soil zinc looks adequate on paper, much of it isn’t in a plant-available form. The result? Quiet but significant impacts on tillering, early vigour, and grain fill in cereals and summer crops—often before any visible symptoms appear.

But it’s not just crops at risk. Zinc deficiency is also a recognised issue for human health, with many Australians at risk of inadequate zinc intake. Improving zinc nutrition in agriculture supports healthier harvests and healthier communities.

💡 The key is understanding availability, not just total nutrient levels.

What is the right source of zinc for me? 🤔 Contact our team to find out.

13/01/2026

🚀 We’re excited to announce the launch of our new “Mighty Micros” series, where our team explores the essential role of micronutrients in agriculture and their impact on both crops and consumers.

Each month, we’ll spotlight a different micronutrient, sharing practical insights and tips relevant for everyone—from those in the agricultural industry to everyday consumers. We’re kicking off with zinc—Australia’s most commonly deficient micronutrient, yet critical for crop performance and human health.

Follow along as we unpack the science, share field-proven management tips and application strategies, and encourage you to join the conversation, and discover how Mighty Micros make a difference in everyday life.

08/01/2026

Where did our name "Tanuki" come from? 🤔

Tanuki is inspired by the Japanese raccoon dog—a symbol of good luck and prosperity. For us, it’s about backing Aussie growers with strength, growth and success.

We’re an Australian team bringing quality crop nutrition and nutrient use efficiency technologies to horticulture and broadacre growers.

With decades of experience and smart, proven solutions, we’re here—for whatever the season throws your way.

Got questions about inputs or timing? Send us a message or reach out at sales@tanuki.com.au.

05/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year from the Tanuki Team!

We’re back and ready to help growers tackle whatever the season throws your way—with trusted crop nutrition and protection solutions.

Planning your nutrition programme or checking soil tests? We’ve got you covered!

✅ Visit our website or message us for support.

22/12/2025

Supporting the crops that support us – cherry edition! 🍒

Did you know Australian cherries are harvested from November to January, perfectly timed to supply premium fruit to overseas markets for Christmas and Lunar New Year? This counter-seasonal advantage makes cherries a valuable export—especially from regions like Tasmania.

At Tanuki, our love for cherries goes beyond enjoying them fresh. We’re proud to support Australian cherry growers with Verno micronutrient products, manufactured by NORDOX, which deliver essential elements like Copper, Zinc and Manganese to help maintain plant health, improve vigour and support fruit quality.

These products are formulated as micronised granules that disperse easily in water, adhere to foliage and provide a slow-release source of nutrients—making them practical and effective for foliar and soil applications.

So whether you prefer cherries chilled and fresh or in a festive dessert, Australians love cherries during the holiday season—and we’re proud to play a role in helping those crops thrive. 🇦🇺✨

💬 Comment a 🍒 if you love eating them fresh!

11/12/2025

Why Coating Zinc on Urea Makes Sense for Modern Australian Cropping 🌾

Australian soils are some of the oldest and most weathered in the world, so it’s no surprise that zinc deficiency remains one of our most widespread micronutrient challenges. At the same time, urea continues to be the backbone of nitrogen supply in broadacre systems.

That’s why coating zinc on urea is becoming an increasingly smart, efficient, and economical strategy for growers.

🔹 Enhanced nutrient efficiency
Coating ensures since is delivered right where the nitrogen is placed—helping emerging crops access both nutrients at the same time. This boosts early vigour, improves nitrogen use efficiency, and supports key processes like enzyme activation, root growth, and development.

🔹 Broad applicability across Australian soil types
From alkaline calcareous soils to sandy, low-organic-matter zones, zinc deficiency can show up anywhere. Urea with zinc offers a simple, uniform way to address micronutrient needs across maize (corn), wheat, barley, canola, cotton, and other summer crops.

🔹 A cost-effective way to lift crop performance
Applying zinc in the same pass as urea reduces application costs, simplifies logistics, and avoids the need for separate micronutrient products.

As growers continue to chase improved efficiency and sustainability, zinc-coated urea provides a practical and economical way to strengthen nutrient programs and unlock more consistent crop performance.

👉 Interested in Glaze Zinc coatings? Contact us to learn more about how this solution can fit into your cropping program.

https://tanuki.com.au/products/micronutrients/glaze-coatings

Glaze Coatings reduce fertiliser dust & uniformly coat granular fertilisers for uniform micronutrient distribution for improved application.