On average, New Zealand farms are growing less pasture. For many years we have tried to maintain pasture growth using fertiliser applications, most commonly excessive amounts of Nitrogen. But what effect is this having on the quality of the pasture?

What we have seen on New Zealand farms is excessive Nitrogen applications negatively affecting soil health. Despite at best maintaining pasture production, these applications have had negative and far reaching impacts on overall farm performance.

Excessive Nitrogen applications have stressed the soil by creating mineral imbalances which harm soil microbe health and the physical structure of the soil. This leads to poor quality pasture that doesn’t provide the necessary nutrients to the animals. Poor quality pasture results in animal health problems, higher costs of production in vet bills and supplements, lower production and of course lower profitability for you, the farmer.

Growing plenty of grass is important, but it must be healthy grass.

To put in in a human health perspective, if you eat more, you will access more energy for everyday use. But if what you are eating is poor quality – for example fast food – you won’t necessarily perform better or become healthier. The same is true of your animals. Just because they have enough to eat doesn’t mean they are going to be as productive or profitable as they could be.

If you want your pastures to promote good animal health, good product quality and of course an increase in production, you have to get the fertiliser formula right. If you balance the mineral levels in your soil and nurture soil microbe health through smarter fertiliser applications, you will see not only an increase in pasture production, but healthier, happier and more profitable animals.

The key to better profitability isn't purely growing a heap of grass, but also ensuring that the grass you are growing is healthy and nutrient rich so that you can reduce your animal health costs, supplement costs and improve overall farm performance.

Nitrogen is important!

While we believe too many New Zealand farmers are applying too much Nitrogen to their farms and not getting the results, we are by no means saying that Nitrogen has no place in a balanced fertiliser programme. Quite the opposite in fact.

Nitrogen is often lacking in New Zealand pastures and as a result applications are usually necessary but in moderation. If we can better balance the mineral levels in your soils, you are far more likely to see a more positive balance in your bank account.

If you are worried about the amount of Nitrogen you are applying to your farm or disappointed in the result, feel free to contact us and arrange for one of our Technical Field Consultants to come to your farm and conduct a free farm assessment to identify for you where you can make improvements on your farm.