Advice

Why herbage testing?

5 August 2020

New Zealand’s competitive advantage in pastoral farming is grounded in our ability to grow vigorous clover-based pastures. Spring is the time to ascertain whether nutrient supply by the soil and uptake by the herbage can support vigorous growth. Herbage testing complements soil testing by showcasing nutrient availability and is the better measure for trace elements. Together the two will provide a better overall picture of a farm’s nutrient status than either used alone.

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Advice

Meat the need

5 August 2020

Have you ever heard how many people New Zealand farmers feed with what we grow here each year? It’s in the tens of millions.

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The Experts

Superphosphate – phosphate with benefits

5 August 2020

New Zealand agriculture relies heavily on pasture legumes to increase and maintain the soil nitrogen (N) pool. It is the size and rate of turnover of this soil N pool that is often the dominant determinant in how much pasture a farm will be able to grow annually. Optimising the growth and function of the legume to be able to fix N, requires a good supply of phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S), as well as other major and trace elements.

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The Experts

Elementary essentials #2: Phosphorus (P)

5 August 2020

The non-metallic element phosphorus (P) is the 15th element in the periodic table and is one of the 19 elements essential for life in all higher plants and animals on planet Earth. Phosphorus makes up about 1% of the body weight of mammals and is the second most abundant mineral in the body.

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