In the fertiliser industry the term “sound science” was frequently used as the reason to
stay with mainstream water-soluble nutrient and synthetic nitrogen-based
programmes.
That begs the question, what is science, and can there be unsound science?
Science in our view is primarily about measures and challenging accepted thinking and
models.
Without regular measures over many years there is no way of knowing whether current
nutrient use is delivering best value for farmers and the wider community.
In the late 1980’s funding for farm research was dramatically cut and since then any
‘trial’ work has been industry funded and short term.
There are however su icient measures available to compare current pasture growth
fuelled by regular applications of synthetic nitrogen to production prior.
The work undertaken in the 1970’s and 80’s by the sta at Ruakura Research Station
showed total annual production of 18,000kg DM/ha from various Waikato areas without
the application of any synthetic nitrogen.
Clover provided virtually all the nitrogen required and the pasture management
techniques necessary to maximise its performance were well known.
18 tonne DM/ha/year was a target figure for those of us dairy farming during the 80’s. It
was achievable on more fertile country with milder winters, and we knew that when
attained a genuine financial surplus was there for the taking.
Figures from various sources show that seldom is the same level of pasture growth
achieved today and not in successive seasons.
Synthetic nitrogen, which came on tap in 1989 was supposed to provide a genuine lift in
pasture performance. As a development tool it is without peer, however research
shows that when used regularly there is a steady decline in the amount of nitrogen fixed
by clover.
Nitrogen fixed by clover comes free of charge and clover growth over summer exceeds
that of grasses. It is also higher in energy and more digestible which means well fed
animals perform better.
Regular synthetic nitrogen applications also result in calcium being lost via leaching
and calcium is the key nutrient driving of clover growth.
However, there’s possibly a more disturbing consequence of the reliance on synthetic N
which is the potential loss of soil carbon. In our view this is the area where more state
funded research is required.
Work by staff at Waikato University has documented a steady decline in soil carbon in
intensively farmed pastoral soils in the Waikato while hill country soils have gained.
Soil carbon is where both nutrient and moisture are stored and even a slight decline can
result in a loss of pasture performance.
Over the last thirty years Functional Fertiliser has measured annual pasture
performance on client properties using the age-old monthly cage cuts. This allows
comparison with historic measures obtained by Research Stations.
Annual growth on a property in the Bay of Plenty has exceeded 20,000kg DM/ha well in
excess of that from the local DairyNZ Focus farm applying over 200kgN/ha.
With support from Federated Famers and Scion at Rotorua soil carbon was compared
with a neighbouring property reliant on synthetic nitrogen.
The results showed a 30% advantage in growth on the property using Functional
Fertiliser products and programmes with a 70% reduction in nitrate nitrogen lost to
groundwater.
All data was independently verified. The conclusion was that the Functional Fertiliser
programme resulted in more growth at a lower cost and was applicable to all farms
regardless of size.
This work has been recognised at Ministerial level however obtaining the funding
necessary for further research has yet to be obtained.
The unique aspect of the Functional Fertiliser approach is the delivery of a wide range of
selected beneficial fungi and bacteria. These are cultured and added to soft carbon
and applied as part of a total nutrient programme.
Work undertaken by DSIR, prior to the formation of MAF, identified, measured, and
photographed soil microbes in all the main soil types throughout the country.
They stated that the support of soil life was just as important as the input of nutrient for
maximum pasture growth, an essential aspect largely ignored by the fertiliser industry.
For farmers wishing to explore the opportunity to explore it doesn’t have to be one or
other. The two systems can be seamlessly integrated without the concern of lower
production before the significant and sustainable increase.
📞 Call Peter on 0800 843 809 or 027 495 0041 to learn how CalciZest and DoloZest can build biological fertility and help future-proof your farm.
