The Experts

Elementary essentials #4: Sulphur (S)

9 August 2021

The non-metallic element sulphur (S) is the 16th element in the periodic table and is one of the 19 elements essential for life in all higher plants and animals on Earth. Sulphur ranks ninth in abundance among the elements. Sulphur, after calcium and phosphorus, is the third most abundant mineral element in mammalian bodies.

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The Experts

Can gibberellic acid substitute nitrogen fertiliser?

9 August 2021

As farmers seek new ways to maintain pasture production and feed supply under ‘capped’ nitrogen (N) fertiliser, alternatives such as gibberellic acid (GA) should be explored. As part of a series of experiments exploring opportunities to use GA in dairy farm systems, Lincoln University PhD student Melanie Miller asked questions about the timing and application rate of GA and whether farmers can partially substitute N fertiliser applications for GA to maintain feed supply. Melanie’s research is su

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The Experts, Videos

Measure, monitor, manage: N-190 on a Canterbury dairy farm

9 August 2021

Canterbury dairy farming operation Camden Farms have been focusing on lowering their nitrogen (N) use ahead of the N-190 nitrogen cap that came into effect in July 2021. Camden Group General Manager Terry Kilday oversees the group's six Canterbury dairy and dairy support farms. He talks to Ravensdown about their farming philosophy and putting actions into place on one of their properties, an 800-cow, 214ha effective unit at Bankside, near Dunsandel.

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The Experts

Farm Environment Planning: preparing for the journey ahead

9 August 2021

Farmers often have ideas about what they’d like to achieve on farm, but can struggle with documenting actions and prioritising them. Ravensdown Principal Environmental Consultant Adrian Brocksopp discusses how a workshop run in the Waikato helped several farmers take their first actions in preparation for Farm Environment Planning.

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