Developed from proven science, Hamilton-based Soil Scientist Dr Gordon Rajendram (PhD), shows how one farm improved
plant nutrient uptake, pasture production, milk production, root growth, earthworm and increased water holding capacity
through soil, pasture and clover only testing followed up by sound agronomic advice.
“This study is highly relevant, especially to Canterbury dairy farmers as the NZ Government requirement that no more
than 190 kg of nitrogen per hectare is applied in any one year. It is also likely in the future that there will be
restrictions in phosphate (P) use, as P is more of a threat to the environment if it gets into waterways than N” adds
Gordon.
‘Farmers are very worried about the 190 N rule particularly in Canterbury, they do not have to be as you can grow enough
pasture with high-quality feed if you get the right advice based on sound scientific principles’ adds Gordon.
A case study was done on Belfield Dairies, farmed by Andrew & Richard Grant, a 667-hectare farm with 2400 cows on two milking platforms. The soil type consisted of Struan stony silt
loam, Eyre stony sandy loam and Waterton deep silt loam soils. Before the study started the practice was to apply
nitrogen of 290-300 kg N/ha/year and blanket application of super phosphate (85 % water-soluble P) up to 500kg per year,
which is equivalent to 45kgs/ha of P.
“We conducted comprehensive soil testing (called soil benchmarking a farm) to determine the nutrient and soil pH status
of the farms in winter of 2018 when cows were wintered off,” says Gordon.
Through thorough testing and data analysis, paddocks were identified that were below optimum, at optimum or above
optimum for each nutrient. From this nutrient, density maps were created for each nutrient or soil parameter. The
results from the testing showed that the soil on the farm had low Phosphate retention (ASC) and Sulphur retention
ability.
The Pasture production monitored for each paddock was monitored. The fertility of individual paddock was reflected in
pasture production. The best fertility paddock grew 19-tonne dry matter per hectare per year (DM/ha/year), whereas the
worst fertility grew 9-tonne dry matter DM/ha/year.
Yearly soil, pasture and clover only samples taken from 12 monitor paddocks established on benchmarking to detect any
nutrient deficiencies. Extra testing done was C, N, Organic matter and trace elements Co, Cu, Mn, Fe, Mo, Se and Zn. All
16 elements tested are required for pasture growth and animal health. You need to look at the long-term trends in soil & pasture, therefore the establishment of monitor paddocks.
The paddocks were limed to an ideal soil pH of 6.3, over a 3-year programme. “But because the farm had low soil ASC
values, the farm soils cannot retain phosphate or sulphur, so slow-release products such as Di-calcic P and elemental
Sulphur was applied,” adds Gordon. This greatly reduced the potential leaching and runoff of P & S. Also, maintenance application rates were reduced from 45 kg P/ha to 15 kg P/ha year as this is what is taken out the
farm gate as P in milk and culled cows. This is all based on science and can be found in any farmers Overseer nutrient
budget.
To reduce the amount of nitrogen application rates < 200 kg N/ha/year, they have also started to move to N applied in liquid form and rates of between 15 – 20 kg N applied
per round. We will look to get it down to 150 kg ha year.
The cost of sampling and testing was ~$10/hectare, making it a cost-effective investment for the health and production
of the farm. “The soils were very compacted to help fix this and aerate the soil we used the AgraForum soil conditioning
program,” advises Gordon. Also, other major & trace elements were applied to overcome any deficiencies. Trace elements were applied via liquid or suspension form.
What Andrew & Richard Grant have noticed is “We can now see earthworm activity in the soils is more evident now which is a sure-fire
sign of healthy soil. We also grow more grass, milk production has been increasing every year, and one of the most
interesting observations is that the water holding capacity of the soil has increased. Also, our fertiliser costs have
diminished.”