Are you applying more and more fertiliser to your farm but still not making more money?

Over the last 20 years, fertiliser inputs have sky-rocketed, yet dry matter production and profitability have remained largely the same.

As the graphs below right demonstrate, the concept of simply applying large amounts of fertiliser onto our farms to stimulate pasture growth is no longer profitable. Animal health, production quality and quantity, and farm profitability are declining and we need to find a better way to manage the health of our soils to reverse this trend.

A large part of this problem is due to a historic reliance on Nitrogen fertilisers to produce a short term increase in pasture growth. Traditional fertiliser practices such as this can suppress microbial activity, which reduces the amount of minerals our soils can naturally produce and harms the physical environment the plant has to grow in. This means we need to add even more fertiliser to stimulate growth which kills off even more microbial activity. This “fertiliser treadmill” is a dangerous cycle that we really need to avoid.

Excessive applications of Nitrogen fertilisers is fast becoming a major problem in New Zealand farming and is having a major effect on animal health, production quality and quantity, and, ultimately, profitability. We are by no means saying that we should stop applying Nitrogen fertilisers, far from it, but we don't need to be applying 200+ units of N/Ha/year. What we can do is be smarter about how we use it, by getting the overall soil mineral levels balanced so that we can produce better quality pasture and maintain (or even improve) dry matter production without applying massive amounts of Nitrogen. Many farms we have dealt with have reduced their Nitrogen applications to as little as 60 units per hectare every year without seeing a decrease in dry matter production. In fact in many cases we see an increase in dry matter growth. This is better for the soil, better for your animals and in the long run, better for your bottom line.

Conventional or Biological?

There are regular debates and mud slinging between advocates of conventional fertiliser techiques and those who believe biological techniques are the answer to all farmers' woes. Regardless of which group you adhere to, we need to recognise that both viewpoints have their merits and combined can have an extremely positive impact on the long term sustainability and profitability of our farms.

As identified above, New Zealand farms are starting to feel the effects of decades of excessive Nitrogen applications. While we believe that too much Nitrogen is not a good thing, we also believe that there is definitely a place for Nitrogen in a balanced fertiliser programme. This viewpoint is becoming more and more widespread as farmers quickly become aware that there is far more to running a profitable farm than simply growing grass though excessive nitrogen applications. Your fertiliser programme needs to consider improving animal health, pasture quality, production levels, production quality, and of course sustainability. Whether you are a "greenie" or not, your farm needs to be sustainable to ensure you remain profitable in the long term. All of these aspects of farm performance combine to determine the level of profitability you experience.

When looking at starting your next fertiliser programme you need to make sure it addresses all aspects of soil health and seeks to achieve positive results in the full range of farm performance measures. To do this you may well need to use both conventional and biological fertiliser techniques, depending of course on the makeup of your soil. Make sure your fertiliser representative conducts full soil tests and uses a range of analyses to make sure that all areas for improvement are identified. It may also pay to make sure the rep isn't committed to pushing a particular product and has all of the tools necessary to produce well-balanced soils and a better performing farm overall..

By introducing a balanced fertiliser programme you can enjoy the cost savings from lower animal health costs, as well as increased production, and more profitability. After all, a profitable farm is the end goal for all of us isn't it?

Are you applying more and more fertiliser to your farm but still not making more money?

Conventional or Biological?

By introducing a balanced fertiliser programme you can enjoy the cost savings from lower animal health costs, as well as increased production, and more profitability. After all, a profitable farm is the end goal for all of us isn't it?

NEWSLETTER

FREE CONSULTATION

CONTACT US

0800 722 766