Grow South Island 03 04 22 - Spring 2021 - Ballance
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Grow South Island
Spring 2021
03
Stay on top
of policy
04
Get more
out of N
22
Celebrating
success
03 10 16
Contents
Stay on top of policy Which N is best? Testing above ground
04 11 17
Get more out of N More now, less later K response on brassicas
06 12 18
Nitrogen: More profit, less loss Is more intensive better?
friend or foe?
13 19
Phosphorus near seed Sustainable soil tests
14 20
Two sides of copper Is calcium needed?
15 21
07
What’s in it? Spotlight on fertigation
Legumes for N on hills
22
08
Clippings
N reporting made easier
23
09
Sustainable productivity
Nitrogen alternatives
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is one of Since its inception in the SealesWinslow is a recognised
New Zealand’s leading fertiliser 1980s, Super Air has evolved leader in the production of
manufacturers. A 100 percent into one of New Zealand’s high-performance compound
farmer-owned co-operative, the leading agricultural aviation feeds and feed additives.
company has approximately companies. In addition to aerial A fully owned subsidiary of
18,000 shareholders and sells fertiliser application, Super Ballance, SealesWinslow has
around 1.5 million tonnes of Air has developed a world- manufacturing sites located
product each year, representing class reputation for aircraft in Morrinsville, Ashburton
a turnover close to $900 million. engineering and innovation. and Whanganui, and supplies
Its products include imported Wholly owned by Ballance, custom-blended pelletised
and locally manufactured Super Air services most of feed to farmers throughout
fertilisers, the majority of which the North Island, and from New Zealand. It also provides
attract a rebate for shareholders. February 2021 is also molasses feed blocks, feed
servicing the South Island. supplements and additives.
ballance.co.nz superair.co.nz sealeswinslow.co.nz
0800 222 090 0800 787 372 0800 287 325
02 / ballance.co.nz
Animal Water Plant Soil
Stay on top of policy
A round up of what’s been Farm environment plans
happening in the environmental The Government is engaging with Applying for N cap consent
policies space. primary sector representatives, iwi If you cannot meet the N cap
Māori, regional councils, environmental rules, you will need to apply for
More time for N cap consent organisations and other interested a resource consent. Regional
groups to develop new regulations for councils can only approve the
People who can’t meet the nitrogen (N) farm environment plans. These plans
cap rules that started on 1 July 2021 consent if it satisfies one of two
will be rolled out on a prioritised basis, options:
have more time to obtain a resource with N impacted catchments first in line.
consent (see box). Option 1: You create a synthetic
A resource consent must now be Biodiversity policy delayed N reduction plan, showing how
applied for by 31 December 2021 synthetic N use will be reduced
Decisions on the National Policy
(instead of the previous requirement for each year, so the rules can be met
Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity,
a resource consent before 1 July 2021). from 1 July 2023. In effect, this
originally due in April 2021, are now
provides farms with an extra year
expected to be released by the end of
to adjust their practices in order to
Intensive winter grazing 2021.
comply with the rules.
restrictions deferred
Know your greenhouse gas Option 2: You have a report from
Intensive winter grazing rules due to a suitably qualified expert such
come into force in May this year have numbers
as a farm planner or nutrient
been deferred until 1 May 2022. Ahead of all farmers and growers advisor, describing the good
needing to know their greenhouse gas practices used to apply the N
In the meantime, the 2021/22 Intensive
numbers by the end of 2022, He Waka fertiliser, as well as the rate N
Winter Grazing Module, a tool to help
Eke Noa: the Primary Sector Climate would leach under the 190 kg/
people make immediate improvements
Action Partnership has released farm ha/year cap if these practices
to intensive winter grazing practices, is
planning guidance, and an assessment were used. This report must show
available at bit.ly/3kDXkJx.
of tools and calculators for calculating that the rate at which N will leach
Rules preventing the expansion of the greenhouse gases, both of which are from non-complying N fertiliser
area used for intensive winter grazing available at hewakaekenoa.nz/tools. applications is not greater than the
(to no more than was used for the rate it enters water from applying
practice between 1 July 2014 and 30 FOR MORE INFORMATION N fertiliser at 190 kg/ha/year, as
June 2019) still apply. stated in the rules.
ballance.co.nz/essential-freshwater-
policy
Grow South Island / 03
Animal Water Plant Soil
Get more out of N
Help is at hand to get the most Total N soil test Although not often used, it provides
out of nitrogen (N) fertiliser The first step in using My Pasture valuable information on the potential
Planner to optimise the placement and pasture response rate to applied N (see
under the new rules. Figure 1).
rate of N is to identify the varying levels
The new N fertiliser cap rules mean of N in the soil in different management The Total N test can be incorporated
using N wisely to get the best pasture areas on farm. This is done via a Total N into a regular soil testing regime,
response from applications is more soil test. and involves testing each different
important than ever. management block on farm to a depth
As the name suggests, the test
Applying N fertiliser uniformly across all measures the total pool of N in the soil – of 75 mm. It only needs to be repeated
management areas on farm or following the combination of mineral N, available once every 4 to 6 years, as the total N
the cows and applying a set amount N and immobilised (mainly organic) N in the soil changes slowly over time if
of N shortly after each grazing can be pools. Total N results can vary across land management has not changed
inefficient. the farm due to variations in soil type, significantly.
topography and farm management.
Different management areas on farm Using the Total N test results
have varying levels of total soil N How do the Total N test results help to
available for plants to use. This is partly optimise N application?
why plants respond differently if N
fertiliser is applied uniformly. This is where My Pasture Planner
comes in. It incorporates the scientific
Uniform applications of N fertiliser expertise of AgResearch, who
across a farm can result in N being conducted a series of trials throughout
applied where pasture response is the country to understand the pasture
low, leading to both economic and response rates to applied N at different
environmental impacts. Total N soil test levels.
With N cap rules in force, My Pasture
Planner – a decision support tool
designed to optimise pasture response
to applied N fertiliser – helps to get the
best response from your N fertiliser
purchase.
same amount for less
of pasture N use
Only a small percentage of N in the soil
is able to be used by plants. OR
more from the
pasture same N use
My Pasture Planner was developed with
the aim of growing the same (or similar)
amount of pasture with less N applied, or
more pasture with the same amount of
N applied.
04 / ballance.co.nz
Animal Water Plant Soil
My Pasture Planner uses Total N soil mapping capability, and the MyBallance customers can register for MyBallance at
test information to identify strategic N integration means easy access to a myballance.co.nz. To become a Ballance
fertiliser applications so you can tailor fertiliser recommendation, mapped out customer contact the Customer
both N fertiliser placement and rates for the farm. Services team on 0800 222 090 or email
on a monthly basis. My Pasture Planner customerservices-mount@ballance.co.nz.
can help you to grow more pasture for My Pasture Planner was developed in
the same amount of N use, or the same collaboration with AgResearch, and Note: My Pasture Planner is not calibrated
amount of pasture for less N use. It can partly funded by the Ministry for Primary for peat soils.
also be used to help meet pasture feed Industries’ Primary Growth Partnership.
demand or grow feed to conserve, such Used exclusively by Ballance, it is free
FOR MORE INFORMATION
as hay, silage and balage (see example for Ballance customers registered with
output). MyBallance, and available via a Ballance ballance.co.nz/my-pasture-planner
Nutrient Specialist. Existing Ballance
Ballance Nutrient Specialists can use
My Pasture Planner to guide annual
N fertiliser plans and show where
response to N applied is likely to be
less and greater. You can input certain
constraints (such as when N must or
must not be applied and the application
rate) or let the model do its own thing.
My Pasture Planner also provides some
financial comparisons of its current
recommendations to previous years’ N
use.
The tool uses the Total N soil test, a
digital farm map and regional pasture
growth data to predict pasture
response, so N can be used more
efficiently – the right product, in the
right place, at the right rate and times
– with less impact on the environment.
This could translate into reduced N Figure 1 Pasture dry matter response to applied N at increasing total soil N.
leaching and nitrous oxide emissions as A lower total soil N has a larger pasture response, and higher total soil N a smaller
modelled by Overseer. pasture response.
My Pasture Planner does not
recommend a specific product, and the
‘right product’ will depend on season
and other nutrient factors, and can be
discussed with your Ballance Nutrient
Specialist.
Farmers can easily access outputs from
My Pasture Planner which is integrated
into the MyBallance platform. An annual
plan can easily be created using the
What do I need to run My
Pasture Planner?
ü MyBallance account set
up with a farm map at the
paddock scale
ü Total N test for each
management block on farm
ü Current OverseerFM nutrient
budget producing reports
ü The previous year’s N use on
a monthly basis for the whole
farm
An example of a My Pasture Planner output.
Grow South Island / 05
Animal Water Plant Soil
Nitrogen: friend or foe?
Consider the facts behind nitrogen (N) before deciding to avoid it altogether.
“The new synthetic N cap for pasture Fact: N can help with feed
can make it seem like N fertiliser is shortages on any farm Deficiency in pasture
best avoided,” says Ballance Science In N deficient pasture, older leaves
Rather than seeing N as a fertiliser,
Extension Officer Katie Aitkenhead. yellow first. The plant cannot
it could be considered as a
“But N is essential for growth and has a supplementary feed source. Using N produce enough chlorophyll, so
valuable part to play. In some instances to grow additional pasture is generally moves the N from older leaves
the way it’s used can cause problems, more cost-effective than buying to new growth where it is most
but it’s wise to weigh up the facts before supplementary feed. needed.
writing N off altogether.”
As all plants (except legumes) are N
deficient1, N can be used strategically Fact: Good N use has minimal
Fact: Pastures need N
and sustainably on both sheep and beef impact on waterways
To grow properly pasture plants need and dairy farms to provide extra feed to
large quantities of N – in greater lift or maintain animal performance at Used in the right place, at the right time
amounts than any other nutrient. critical times of the year. and rate, N fertiliser has little direct
Nitrogen is a major component of plant effect on the environment.
and animal tissue, and also essential for At most times of the year (excluding dry
processes such as photosynthesis. summer or cold winter conditions) N In New Zealand, urine from farm
stimulates a short term increase in grass animals, not N fertiliser, is the main
In pastoral systems, most N in the soil growth which, with effective grazing source of N entering waterways2. As
comes from natural processes, such management, can be very helpful in the N in urine is deposited on a small
as legumes converting N from the air overcoming feed shortages. area in high concentration, the pasture
into plant available forms, soil microbes cannot take it all up, and some leaches
converting organic N into plant available For sheep and beef, N is typically into groundwater. Leached N eventually
mineral N, and also in most cases from applied in late winter to early spring reaches waterways, where if present
animal urine and dung. Nitrogen can to provide extra feed for calving and in excessive amounts, it can promote
also be added via synthetic or biological lambing, or in autumn to provide extra excessive growth of algae.
fertiliser (see page 9). feed before and during mating, and to
help carry stock through the winter. Nitrogen fertiliser does however
produce small amounts of the
greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and
nitrous oxide.
1 Moot D 2019. Overcoming the weakest link in
pastoral farming – a lack of nitrogen. The Journal
March 2019: 12-18
² Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
2013. Water quality in New Zealand: Land use and
nutrient pollution
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
Contact your Ballance
Nutrient Specialist.
06 / ballance.co.nz
Animal Water Plant Soil
Legumes for N on hills
Legumes are part of the solution for nitrogen (N) deficient hill country.
Nitrogen deficiencies in much of New Much research over the last decade
Zealand’s hill country farmland mean has looked at the establishment and Legume legwork
pasture cannot effectively use available management of legumes such as To thrive, legumes need:
soil moisture. lucerne, annual clover and white or
red clover, and also their suitability for • to be suitable for the farm
“A lot of hill country is summer-dry, and various farm systems. system and environment
N deficiency only compounds the issue
• higher soil fertility than grass
as pasture can’t make full use of the Bonavaree Farm in Malborough
limited rainfall,” says Ballance Sheep has demonstrated the significant » adequate levels of
and Beef Programme Lead Richard improvements in farm performance phosphorus, sulphur,
Draper. that can be achieved by switching to a potassium and magnesium
lucerne based system (see Table 1). » the micronutrients
“The good news is that hill country is
molybdenum, boron and
very responsive to N, and overcoming Similarly impressive results have been
copper
N limitation improves the productivity of recorded at Bog Roy in Omarama,
pastures and animals.” where, following the development of • a pH of 5.8-6.2
lucerne based pastures and grazing/ • grazing management (via
Aerial application of N fertiliser to hill management systems, ewe flock subdivision and stock water) to
country can be economic, and can be performance improved 45 per cent control:
considered as a way to provide strategic between 2008 and 20142.
feed for key times such as lambing. » stock pressure and prevent
Responses of up to 20 kg of dry matter While lucerne may be a great option for ‘grazing-out’ due to
per kg N/ha have been recorded on hill cultivatable dryland, significant work preferential grazing
country on both islands1. on establishing and managing annual » timing of grazing to prevent
clovers (such as subterranean clover) shading by grasses
Legume advantages on dryland hill country has shown
» annual reproduction to
“A cost-effective long term solution to similarly impressive results. In higher
replenish reserves.
overcoming N deficiency on hill country rainfall environments, red and white
may be through legumes such as clovers are more likely to thrive, and will
lucerne or clovers, which typically fix 30 produce comparable results.
kg N/ha per tonne of dry matter,” says “The key is to identify the best legume 1 Ballance Agri-Nutrients 2015. Nitrogen on hill
Richard. for your environment and system and to country fact sheet
2 Moot DJ, Anderson PVA, Anderson LJ, Anderson
Besides their ability to fix N from the air manage it appropriately to drive animal DK 2019. Animal performance changes over 11
to power pasture growth, legumes offer and farm production. years after implementing a lucerne grazing system
on Bog Roy Station. Journal of New Zealand
other advantages over grasses. “This is an exciting area with Grasslands 81: 75-80
“Legumes are more moisture efficient, considerable potential to drive on-farm
and grow greater amounts of dry matter production and profit,” says Richard.
when moisture is limited on hill country.
They’re also a higher quality feed, with FOR MORE INFORMATION
a higher protein concentration than Contact your Ballance Nutrient
grasses, so also contribute to improved Specialist.
livestock performance.”
Table 1 Improvements in key performance indicators at
Bonavaree Farm from switching to a lucerne based system
2002 2012 Increase
Lambing (%) 117 145 24%
Lamb weights (kg) 13.3 19 43%
Gross trading profit (ha) $317 $792 149%
Source: Moot & Avery, 2013
Grow South Island / 07
Animal Water Plant Soil
N reporting
made easier
A new nitrogen management Limit Management tool for MyBallance,
tool will make it easier to track making tracking and reporting N use Rules recap
much easier. • If a paddock is used for both
and report nitrogen (N) fertiliser
grazed pasture and:
applications. All you need to do is enter your proof of
application data (either automatically via » ungrazed crops, the N cap
Under the N cap rules, pastoral farmers your spreader subscription, or manually applies only to the pasture
are now required to track and record in MyBallance). » grazed crops, the N use on
their N fertiliser applications. the paddock is not capped,
The Nitrogen Limit Management tool
but is included towards the
Dairy farmers will also need to report can help you stay on track and make
farm’s average, so any use
their N fertiliser use for the current any necessary adjustments so you meet
over 190 kg N/ha/year on
period – 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 the N cap.
these areas must be offset
– and beyond. The first report is due
At the end of the period MyBallance by less N use in other grazed
at regional councils by 31 July 2022,
does the tricky bit for you, transforming areas.
shortly after the current period ends.
your application data into a council- • If you cannot meet the N cap
The rules are complex, so in spring ready N usage report for you to submit rules, you need to apply for a
2021 Ballance is launching a Nitrogen to your regional council. resource consent (see page 3).
Features to help you stay on track Get ready to use it
Get ready to use the Nitrogen Limit
Management tool when it’s released in
spring.
ü If you’re new to MyBallance,
head to myballance.co.nz/register
to activate your account.
ü Check you have your digital
farm map in MyBallance
How your average (or email gis.support@ballance.co.nz
N use is tracking to have it uploaded).
Your farm throughout the
average N season compared ü Ask your spreader which subscription
applied on to your planned N their spreading hardware supports,
A heatmap
makes it easy to grazed areas applications and let Ballance Customer Services
see N applied on know on 0800 222 090.
each paddock If you're a Ballance customer, you'll get an
that will be email letting you know when the tool is
included in the N
cap limit available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can easily specify
the locations of: For guides that explain the rules visit
ballance.co.nz/essential-freshwater-
• crops, and whether
policy
they’ll be grazed or
harvested Contact your Ballance Nutrient
• any non-productive Specialist to find out how My Pasture
areas that don’t Planner can help optimise your N use.
receive N See page 22 for more on MyBallance.
08 / ballance.co.nz
Animal Water Plant Soil
Nitrogen alternatives
What should you consider before Carbon stimulates microbial activity, manufactured fertilisers, they have lower
using alternatives to synthetic which increases competition between concentrations of N, so large volumes
plants to consume N. But if the are needed to provide N in the same
nitrogen (N)? carbon:nitrogen ratio is too high, plants amounts as manufactured fertilisers.
With national caps on synthetic N use in compete to take up mineral N quickly, so Frequent application of large volumes of
force, some are turning their attention to the total volume of mineral N in the soil is liquid wastes can damage soil structure,
other sources of N to apply on farm. depleted and subsequent growth suffers. create chemical imbalances and
Material with a carbon:nitrogen ratio of potentially result in excess nutrients in
Biological fertilisers – dairy effluent, 20 to 30:1 is typically best and promotes nearby waterways.
dairy whey, compost, and plant or rather than suppresses plant growth⁵.
animal waste such as chicken manure – Is it practical to apply?
contain N, but not the synthetic kind, so What about other nutrients? Synthetic N products are designed
fall outside the N cap rules. Many biological fertilisers have a large to be easily applied to provide readily
But before using a biological fertiliser, variation in nutrient content and rarely plant available N. Huge volumes of
it’s best to consider the following. contain just one nutrient. biological fertiliser are needed to get the
immediate growth boost synthetic N
Testing biological fertilisers before
Can plants use the N? application provides.
application means their nutrient
Two broad types of N are applied to and loading can be understood and
found in the soil, but plants can only use recorded. This helps to account for FOR MORE INFORMATION
one type (see Figure 1). other nutrients added to the farm, and Contact your Ballance Nutrient
to ensure all nutrients are supplied to Specialist.
the farm system to meet maintenance
requirements.
Does it contain heavy metals? 1 Longhurst B, Rajendram G, Miller B, Dexter M
2017. Nutrient content of liquid and solid effluents
Many composts contain some heavy on NZ dairy cow farms. Science and policy: nutrient
management challenges for the next generation.
metals, with levels depending on what Occasional Report No. 30. Fertilizer and Lime
the compost is made from. This could Research Centre, Massey University
be undesirable for production, especially 2 Ashekuzzaman SM, Forrestal P, Richards KG,
Daly K, Fenton O 2020. Grassland Phosphorus
in organic systems, so test compost and Nitrogen Fertiliser Replacement value of
before application. Dairy Processing Dewatered Sludge. Sustainable
Production and Consumption 25: 363-373
Could it damage soil health or the 3 Compost Use and Soil Fertility [accessed May
2021] https://ag.umass.edu/vegetable/fact-sheets/
environment? compost-use-soil-fertility
Soil health can benefit from biological 4 Wiedemann SG 2015. Land Application of Chicken
Litter: A Guide for Users. Australian Government
fertilisers which build up organic matter Rural Industries Research and Development
quickly. Corporation 14/095
5 Watkins M, Nash D 2010. Dairy Factory
But care is needed to prevent liquids Wastewaters, Their Use on Land and Possible
Environmental Impacts – A Mini Review. The Open
such as dairy effluent or whey from Agriculture Journal 4: 1-9
damaging soil health. Compared to
What’s the concentration of plant
available N?
This is important as it determines the
response from applying it. Some N
may be initially available but the rate
that organic N is made available to
plants is determined by composition
(including carbon:nitrogen ratio, below),
temperature and moisture. See Figure 2.
What’s the carbon:nitrogen ratio?
This is a major determinant of how fast
organic N will be converted by microbes Figure 2 Estimated percentage of N applied in biological and synthetic N fertiliser
into plant available mineral N. that is plant available within 1 year
Grow South Island / 09
Animal Water Plant Soil
Which N is best?
Which produces the greatest pasture response – liquid, fine particle or granular nitrogen (N)?
With heightened interest in getting the best response efficiency from N applications (kg DM/kg N applied), we look at whether
different N application methods actually live up to the claims sometimes made about them.
Recent research: fine particle versus granular N
Fine particle application of N was not not significantly increase pasture
found to improve pasture response production compared to the equivalent
compared to granular N in research granular N application (see Figure 1).
comparing the two methods2. The
results of this research are in line with Both methods did increase pasture
the 2018 research review (above). production compared to not applying
any N, and the greatest response was
The research assessed five produced by applying N treatments at
treatments in a small plot trial on a the highest rate of growth in spring as
Southland dairy farm: compared to autumn.
• control (0 kg N/ha)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• fine particle application of SustaiN
at 25 kg N/ha and 50 kg N/ha Contact your Ballance Nutrient
• granular application of SustaiN at Specialist. For more on fertigation,
25 kg N/ha and 50 kg N/ha. see page 21.
To check for seasonal differences,
the trial was replicated in spring and 1 Morton J, Tillman R, Morton A 2018. Review of
research on pasture yield response to fine particle
autumn, and pasture production was application of fertiliser in New Zealand, New
measured four and eight weeks after Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research
application. 2 Risk JT, Dawson AE 2019. Comparing fine particle
and granular nitrogen response on Southland
pastures. Nutrient loss mitigations for compliance Figure 1 Pasture response
Overall, fine particle application at in agriculture. Occasional Report No. 32. Fertiliser
either rate or in either season did and Lime Research Centre, Massey University (measured over two cuts)²
10 / ballance.co.nzAnimal Water Plant Soil
More now, less later
Gibberellic acid increases feed Canterbury and Southland, and produced within the first three weeks
in the short term, but at the Northern Ireland trials were conducted of application comes at the expense of
by the Agri-Food and Biosciences yield in subsequent weeks.
expense of yield in subsequent Institute.
weeks. Using gibberellic acid (with or without
N fertiliser) to bring feed supply forward
Extensive trials have shown the plant
A declining difference
may still be of value when there is a feed
growth hormone gibberellic acid – with Overall, at first harvest plots treated deficit, provided the deficit is not merely
or without nitrogen (N) – brings feed with gibberellic acid alone had a strong shifted. Rather than producing a large
supply forward, but does not increase pasture response and significantly amount of additional feed, gibberellic
overall pasture yield1,2,3. higher yields. But in subsequent acid has a greater role in shifting the
harvests, the yield advantage of the time of the feed availability.
Gibberellic acid is widely promoted as an gibberellic acid treatment declined,
enhancer of pasture growth, including and after several cuts the difference So for farmers, is the benefit of extra
when used with N fertiliser. Several years between gibberellic acid treated plots feed in the short term worth the costs of
of local and overseas trials assessing the and control plots declined, so the treatment and less feed in subsequent
effectiveness of this combination, and gibberellic acid treated plots were not weeks?
of gibberellic acid alone, have shown significantly different to the control.
increased pasture yield in the short term, FOR MORE INFORMATION
but at the expense of reduced yield in Synergistic benefits?
subsequent weeks. Contact your Ballance Nutrient
To assess if adding gibberellic acid Specialist.
In the trials, pasture plots received one to N fertiliser has a synergistic effect
of the following: compared to using N fertiliser alone, the
two treatments were compared. Figure 1 Pasture yield in response to
• control - no treatment
At all three NZ locations, there was no N fertiliser applications (30 kg N/ha)
• N fertiliser only - granular or liquid with or without gibberellic acid (30 g
significant difference in total pasture
• gibberellic acid - liquid yield between N plus gibberellic acid a.i./ha). Trials conducted in Southland,
• N fertiliser plus gibberellic acid - and N only treatments (see Figure 1), spring 2015
granular N and solid gibberellic acid although both treatments produced
or liquid N and liquid gibberellic acid significantly more pasture than the
untreated control. Similar results were
Pasture was typically first harvested 21 observed in the Northern Ireland trials.
to 25 days after application, to simulate
grazing and assess the response, with The Northern Ireland trials included solid
subsequent cuts at four to six weeks. as well as liquid gibberellic acid. Only
the liquid gibberellic acid produced a
New Zealand trials were conducted by significant pasture response at the first
independent researchers in Waikato, cut, and the solid gibberellic acid did
not produce a yield advantage at either
first or second cut. This suggests foliar
application of gibberellic acid is required
for effective uptake by plants.
Results across all locations were
consistent from year to year and not
affected by variables such as season
and soil type, and the findings of the NZ
and Northern Ireland trials were largely
consistent.
Overall results indicate that the benefit
from gibberellic acid diminishes
over multiple harvests, and that feed
1 Higgins S 2016. Comparison of the relative agronomic performance of several different plant growth promoting formulations in ryegrass-based pasture, under non-moisture
limited late winter/early spring conditions, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland
2 Higgins S, Watson C 2014. Comparison of relative agronomic performance of several different plant growth promoting formulations in ryegrass-based pasture, under non-
moisture limited late winter/early spring conditions, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland
3 Ledgard SF 2016. Review of research on effects of application of gibberellic acid alone or in combination with fertiliser nitrogen on pastures, AgResearch report for Ballance
Agri-Nutrients
Grow South Island / 11Animal Water Plant Soil
More profit, less loss
Phosphorus (P) losses, which amount of water soluble P to boost
can affect farm profits and pasture growth immediately.
waterways, can be reduced. The Pasturemag range also contains
SustaiN, an N fertiliser that reduces N
“New Zealand soils are naturally low lost as ammonia gas by around 50 per
in P, an essential nutrient for growth, cent (compared to standard urea)1.
so it’s added in order to grow pastures
and crops,” says Ballance Agri-Nutrients FOR MORE INFORMATION
Environmental Management Specialist
Ian Power. Contact your Ballance Nutrient
Specialist.
“But like nitrogen (N), if too much P is
lost and ends up in waterways it can
result in excessive aquatic plant growth Driver Risk factor Mitigation
and algal blooms.”
Avoid applying P fertiliser when
How P is lost risk of high rainfall
Timing of P
Unlike N, which is mainly lost via Soluble P runoff Use a fertiliser with low levels of
application
leaching, P does not normally leach. water soluble P e.g. Serpentine
Instead, most P losses to water occur via Super, Pasturemag
runoff from pastoral land, carrying soil
Pugging Increased runoff Minimise pugging of soil
particles with P attached.
Runoff carries P
“Sediment and P losses literally go hand Tracks, lanes and Divert runoff from tracks, lanes,
and sediment to
in hand. Loss of topsoil is problematic races and races to paddocks
waterways
for farmers, and also for waterways as it
reduces water clarity and light for aquatic Light soils
Prone to erosion Avoid grazing heavy stock on
plants and animals.” (sandy, pumice)
these soils and maintain pasture
Phosphorus is also lost as soluble Reduced infiltration, cover
Heavy clay soils
P (from fertiliser or high fertility soil increased runoff
particles) that dissolves in water.
Keep Olsen P to optimal levels
“This water soluble P can be the more Increased loss
High Olsen P Use a fertiliser with low levels of
concerning in certain situations, as it’s of P attached to
levels water soluble P e.g. Serpentine
immediately bioavailable for unwanted sediment
Super, Pasturemag
algae and aquatic weeds.”
High effluent Increase effluent block area and/
The drivers, risk factors and mitigations Increased runoff
application or reduce application rate
for P and sediment loss are often the
same (see Table 1). Dung directly
Stock (mainly deposited in
Reducing P fertiliser losses cattle and deer) waterways Exclude stock from waterways
“If it rains directly after a fertiliser Bank erosion
containing mainly water soluble P, such
as superphosphate or diammonium Plant suitable trees, spaced
phosphate, is applied, some fertiliser P Landslide and appropriately, on at risk slopes
Steep slopes
is inevitably lost. But the good news is surface erosion
Graze with smaller cattle or sheep
that fertilisers with low levels of water
soluble P, such as Serpentine Super and Install wetlands and/or detention
Pasturemag, can help to reduce these bunds
losses,” says Ian. Runoff leading to
Heavy rainfall Use a fertiliser with low levels of
sediment and P loss
Most of the P in Serpentine Super and water soluble P e.g. Serpentine
the Pasturemag range releases over Super, Pasturemag
a period of months into the soil, thus
retaining more, meaning less lost to the Table 1 Drivers and risks of P and sediment losses and mitigations
environment. Both also contain a small
1 Zaman M, Saggar S, Stafford AD 2013. Mitigation of ammonia losses from urea applied to a pastoral system: The effect of nBTPT and timing and amount of irrigation.
Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 75: 209-214
12 / ballance.co.nzAnimal Water Plant Soil
Phosphorus near seed
Crops with the right nutrients Research commissioned by Ballance
at sowing and during has shown the yield benefits in Drilling starter fertiliser
brassicas by placing P close to seed1. enhances establishment
establishment are more likely to Compared to broadcasting, P drilled
meet their yield potential. with the seed increased yield by almost • With no-tillage cropping,
2 t DM/ha. Broadcasted P, however, is drilling starter fertiliser
Phosphorus (P) is one of the most makes up for the lack of soil
better than no P at all, and increased
critical nutrients for early plant mineralisation that comes with
yield by almost 2 t DM/ha compared to
development (the other being nitrogen). cultivation.
the control, and by more than 2 t DM/
Phosphorus helps with early root and ha when it was incorporated into the • In cultivated soil, starter
shoot development. The effects of soil (see Figure 1). fertiliser enhances seedling
P deficiency on plants include poor establishment because
These findings can be applied to help cultivation often brings low
seedling establishment and root
improve nutrient use efficiency (t DM fertility soil to the surface
development, stunted top growth
grown/nutrient applied) and reduce where small seeded crops are
and spindly stalks, leading to delayed
nutrient losses. sown.
maturity and poor seed and fruit set.
Phosphorus is a relatively immobile Products for proximal P
nutrient in the soil. Poor growth placement Cropzeal Boron Boost is ideal. These
conditions during early stages can Starter fertilisers drilled close to seeds crops all require boron, and Cropzeal
impair the plant’s ability to forage for place high concentrations of the Boron Boost can be drilled next to the
nutrients, making it even harder for nutrients critical for a good start in the seed with relative safety at rates of
crops such as brassicas, which are best position (see Table 1). up to 150 kg/ha without harming the
already poor foragers of nutrients. seed. It can also be broadcast at higher
Ideal for cereals, the compound fertiliser rates. Molybdenum, also important
Application method makes a YaraMila Actyva S is easy to drill, with for brassicas, is best addressed in the
difference smooth, free flowing granules less regular fertiliser programme as required.
prone to clogging drilling equipment. It
Starter fertiliser placed in close As compound fertilisers, both YaraMila
also spreads well, with tests showing it
proximity to the seed provides the P Actyva S and Cropzeal Boron Boost
can be spread up to 32 m bout widths
for early root development and growth. have a specific ratio of nutrients in each
on well calibrated spreaders.
Seedlings can access these nutrients granule, so provide nutrients evenly,
much more easily than if fertiliser is For fodder beet and shallow rooted promoting even growth and reduced
broadcast on the soil surface. brassicas such as turnips and swedes risk of striping.
Fodder beet
in a cultivated
paddock with
Olsen P 30, with DAP
broadcast (on left) and
DAP drilled next to
seed (on right)
Figure 1 Effect of P application method on kale yield
Table 1 Starter fertilisers that can be drilled for cereal crops, brassicas and fodder beet
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulphur Also
Crop Fertiliser
% % % % contains
Cereals YaraMila Actyva S 15.0 7.0 12.5 3.0 Magnesium
Brassicas and fodder beet Cropzeal Boron Boost 16.0 19.5 0.0 1.0 Boron
1 Fletcher A, Wilson D, Maley S, Sinclair K, Arnold N, de Ruiter J, Armstrong S 2008. Crop & Food Research Confidential Report No 2225: Yield responses of forage brassicas
to phosphorus rate and placement at sowing and to nitrogen application
Grow South Island / 13Animal Water Plant Soil
Two sides of copper
Too little or too much copper (Cu) can cause problems.
Copper (Cu), an essential micronutrient,
is frequently added with fertiliser, but
deficiency in both plants and animals
is increasingly widespread as farming
Plants Animals
removes soil’s natural Cu reserves.
Copper is needed by plants for
photosynthesis, transpiration and
nitrogen fixation. Animals also need Simple deficiency
Cu for functioning of the nervous and
Low Cu levels in soil Low Cu levels in pasture
immune systems, bone growth and hair
or wool pigmentation. Possible
causes Induced deficiency
Some caution is needed, however,
as excessive Cu intake can cause Cu
Alkaline (high pH) soils, soil Molybdenum, iron, sulphur
toxicity in animals.
compaction, drought, very and zinc affecting Cu
wet soils, heavy liming (may absorption and utilisation
Copper deficiency be a short term effect)
Low Cu soil or pasture levels can
cause Cu deficiencies in both plants
and animals (‘simple deficiency’) and
deficiencies can also be induced, for • Young stock
Sands, marine and river
example when a high soil pH decreases Risk • Grazing on brassicas (Cu
factors silts, peats, podzols,
Cu availability to plants (see Table 1). limestone soil with high pH levels usually too low for
animal health)
Animal Cu deficiencies are more
common in young stock, and deer and
cattle have greater Cu requirements Joint inflammation, bone
than sheep. fractures, osteochondrosis,
• Stunted growth, wither
Pasture testing is required to diagnose tip (tip goes white) loss of co-ordination
Symptoms in hind legs, chronic
a simple deficiency in both plants include • Clovers and other
and animals (see page 16 for more diarrhoea in spring (peat
legumes more sensitive scours), change in hair
information on herbage testing for Cu). than grasses
Visual diagnosis is insufficient, as a pigmentation, reduced
number of other issues produce similar immunity to disease
symptoms, and soil testing does not
indicate Cu levels of pasture.
Simple deficiency
Copper toxicity Pasture testing
Excessive Cu intake from drenches,
Diagnosis
licks, or from eating pasture recently
fertilised with Cu additives can cause Induced deficiency
Cu toxicity, especially in sheep, which If pasture testing indicates Cu deficiency
are more sensitive to Cu toxicity than Soil testing (under 4 mg/kg DM) test blood or liver
cattle and goats. samples to confirm if deficiency is also induced
Symptoms in affected animals include
depression, lethargy, weakness,
jaundice, anorexia and thirst. • Veterinary treatment
Apply
• Supplements e.g. Seales Winslow Cattle
Some supplements such as Palm Kernel Treatment Cu with
Winter Crop Block
Expeller (PKE) can have high Cu levels, fertiliser
and if fed in large amounts can push • Applying trace elements to pasture
cows into the toxic range (especially
if Cu levels in the pasture are already Table 1 Cu deficiency in plants and animals
high), making them more vulnerable
to death during stressful times such as
calving. FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact your Ballance Nutrient Specialist.
14 / ballance.co.nzAnimal Water Plant Soil
What's in it?
We take a look at the nutrient content of some of Ballance’s key products.
N P K S Mg Ca N P K S Mg Ca
SustaiN 45.9 - - - - - SOA (Nrich SOA) 19.5 - - 22.0 - -
SustaiN 20K 27.5 - 20.0 - - -
SustaiN Ammo 30N 29.8 - - 13.7 - -
N P K S Mg Ca
Cropzeal 15P 13.2 15.0 12.5 0.8 - -
N P K S Mg Ca Cropzeal 20N 18.6 10.5 - 11.5 - -
SurePhos* - 7.8 - 9.5 2.0 22.0
Cropzeal Boron Boost 16.5 19.5 - 1.0 - + Boron
N P K S Mg Ca
N P K S Mg Ca Serpentine Super - 6.8 - 8.4 5.0 16.5
PhaSedN 25.3 - - 28.5 0.1 5.7 Serpentine Super 10K - 5.4 10.0 6.7 4.0 13.2
PhaSedN Quick Start 31.3 - - 17.0 - 2.3 Kieserite Granular - - - 16.0 16.0
Calmag - - - - 38.0 1.7
Triple Superphosphate - 19.0 - - - 13.0
Muriate of Potash - - 50.0 - - -
N P K S Mg Ca
Sulphate of Potash - - 41.0 17.0 - -
Superten - 9.0 - 10.5 - 22.0
DAP 17.6 20.0 - 1.0 - -
Superten 10K - 7.2 10.0 8.4 - 17.6
N P K S Mg Ca
N P K S Mg Ca Yaramila Actyva S
15.0 7.0 12.5 3.0 1.2 -
PastureSure 10K* 7.6 4.9 10.0 6.0 1.3 14.0 15-7-12.5
PastureSure 15S* 9.5 5.9 - 15.0 0.8 15.8 YaraMila 12-10-10* 13.0 10.5 10.0 2.0 1.0 -
PastureSure Impact* 12.1 5.7 - 7.0 1.5 16.2 YaraMila Complex 12.0 5.0 15.0 8.0 1.6 -
YaraBela CAN 27.0 - - - 2.0 4.0
FOR MORE INFORMATION
N P K S Mg Ca For the nutrient content of all Ballance products, see the
price list at bit.ly/35Mfi3A
Sulphurgain Pure - - - 90.0 - -
N P K S Mg Ca
Pasturemag 6.9 5.8 - 7.1 4.3 14.0
Pasturemag 10K 5.5 4.6 10.0 5.7 3.4 11.2
* North Island only
Grow South Island / 15Animal Water Plant Soil
Testing above ground
Herbage testing is valuable for identifying issues This is because plant uptake of micronutrients can be
that soil testing cannot. affected by factors such as soil type, soil compaction, soil
pH and soil moisture. Herbage testing can also measure
“If productivity is less than expected, a macro- or micronutrient plant concentrations of macronutrients, and thus reflect the
deficiency, or both, could be the issue,” says Ballance nutritional intake of grazing animals.
Environmental Management Specialist Ian Power.
What type of herbage sample?
Regular soil testing identifies macronutrient deficiencies, but
what about micronutrients? Different types of samples serve different purposes (see
below). When taking a sample prior to grazing, avoid atypical
“For micronutrients, soil testing is only suitable for boron, and areas such as urine patches, fence lines, gateways and close to
the only way to accurately assess if other micronutrient levels troughs, hedges and trees.
are adequate for production is by herbage testing.”
What are you testing for?
Nutrient deficiency Nitrogen deficiency Nutritive value of plant to animals
Take a clover only sample Take a grass only sample Take a mixed pasture sample
Understanding herbage test results
Herbage test results provide a lot of information, as shown in this example.
“Generally, below optimum nutrient
Level of Level of nutrient
nutrient
Optimum range
compared to levels in clover samples could mean
Sample type of nutrient pasture growth is being restricted, and
in sample optimum
nutrients may need to be applied,”
says Ian.
“However, other issues may be
Analyses
undertaken impacting the clover’s nutrient uptake,
such as soil compaction, insect and
other pests, pH and other nutrient
levels. For example, if manganese (Mn)
Analyses as
% of sample levels in the clover are low the soil
pH may be high and restricting Mn
uptake. If an issue with nutrient uptake
is suspected, then herbage tests results
should be looked at in conjunction
with a soil test and a site inspection
for factors that could reduce nutrient
Analyses as uptake.”
mg/kg
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact your Ballance Nutrient
Specialist.
The mixed pasture sample has: The white clover sample has:
• 0.39% phosphorus (3.9 g phosphorus in each kg of dry matter) • 0.36% phosphorus (3.6 g phosphorus in each kg
• 8 mg/kg copper (0.008 g copper in each kg of dry matter) of dry matter)
• below optimum nitrogen, calcium and copper, and all the other • 9 mg/kg copper (0.009 g copper in each kg of
nutrients at or above optimum. dry matter)
• all the nutrients at or above optimum.
16 / ballance.co.nzAnimal Water Plant Soil
K response on brassicas
In what circumstances should potassium (K) be applied to a brassica crop?
Brassicas take up large amounts of K – response to K added to brassicas such low. As a rule of thumb, as the soil test
second only to the amount of nitrogen as swedes and turnips with adequate drops below 5 an increasing amount of
(N) they take up. A kale crop removes soil K levels. K (i.e. 50-100 kg K/ha) can be applied
even more K than N. to ensure any yield response is achieved
For example, there was no response at low soil K levels. If soil K levels are 5
But applying K does not always improve to K application in a 2008-9 Taranaki or more, no K is required.
crop yield. turnip trial at MAF QT K 52.
Potassium is one nutrient that plants can A 2006 study found there was seldom FOR MORE INFORMATION
take up more of than they need (luxury a response to K inputs when there was Contact your Ballance Nutrient
uptake), resulting in plants containing sufficient supply of K in the soil3. Specialist.
excess K. Excessive application (or
poorly timed applications) of K can A response is only observed if soil K 1 SD Armstrong, RC Butler, S Gowers 2000, swede
and kale fertiliser application trials 199/2000 Crop
contribute to luxury uptake, and waste tests are very low. For example, in a and Food Research confidential report No. 295.
money with no additional yield. 2008-9 swede trial with low soil K levels Report prepared for Southfert.
(MAF QT K of 2), the response was due 2 Fletcher AL, Johnstone P, Maley S, Arnold N, Read
JB, Zyskowski RF, Chakwizira E, Minchin R 2011.
Brassicas are usually grazed in situ to the high yield potential and low soil Development of the Forage Brassica Calculators
and often grown on soils with varying test K value at the site2. – trial results. Report prepared for Ballance Agri-
levels of fertility, so the yield response Nutrients by Plant & Food Research
from applying fertiliser can be variable. Recommendation for K 3 Wilson DR, Reid JB, Zyskowski RF, Maley S,
Pearson AJ, Armstrong SD, Catto WD, Stafford AD
While New Zealand’s young soils According to research, K is only 2006. Forecasting fertiliser requirements of forage
generally have adequate levels of readily recommended to be added to a crop
brassica crops. Proceedings of the New Zealand
Grassland Association 68: 205-210
available K for brassicas, the amount for a K response when the soil K test is
of K available for plant use depends on
several factors such as the soil type,
past K inputs and land use.
Table 1 Yields for 1999/2000 swede K fertiliser trial
An initial soil test prior to planting will
help determine fertiliser application Total dry matter (t/ha)
for optimal yield and economic return.
The challenge lies in using the soil Treatment (kg K/ha) 0 50 100
test results to decide on the types and
Winton cultivar 15.66 16.58 16.22
amounts of fertilisers to apply, including
how much, if any, K fertiliser to apply. Doon Major cultivar 12.66 12.35 12.73
Research on K response Least significant difference (5%) 1.3
One example of research in response to
this challenge tested three levels of K on What’s this? To be real (with 95% confidence), the difference between the
swedes with a soil test level of MAF QT treatments must be greater than this figure. When it isn’t, there is no significant
K 41. Potassium was applied at 0, 50 and difference between treatments.
100 kg K/ha. Overall the trial showed no
significant effects from added K on total
dry matter yield (see Table 1).
Herbage K levels, monitored four times
between 7 February and 15 March,
were highest on K treated plots at the
first sampling date, then dropped and
remained similar to each other across
the remaining sampling dates (see
Figure 1).
This suggests that regardless of K
treatment, herbage K levels were
sufficient for yield, explaining why there
was no response to added K at this trial
site.
This result is supported by other work
which has found similar results of no Figure 1 Effect of adding K to leaf K levels in 1999/2000 swede K fertiliser trial
Grow South Island / 17Animal Water Plant Soil
Is more intensive better?
Does more intensive soil “Most importantly, farmers who are interested in all paddock testing need to have a
sampling improve return on plan for how to use the data to ensure they get an ROI,” says Angus
investment (ROI)?
Traditional versus all paddock testing
“Soil testing is known to effectively
monitor soil fertility trends over time, Traditional approach All paddock testing
and we’ve noticed a growing interest Approach • Soil test areas based on expected • Soil test every individual
in all paddock testing and other more differences in fertility due to soil paddock
intensive soil sampling,” says Ballance type/management/crop
Science Extension Officer Angus
Pros • Captures broad variations and • Captures more detailed
Dowson.
trends in soil fertility variation in soil fertility
“This is largely driven by a desire to • Cost-effective (1-2 tests per • Allows for more tailored
optimise nutrient inputs and crop management unit) fertiliser plan
responses, and advances in GPS and
Cons • Loses some of the inter-paddock • Higher cost
GIS technology make it possible.”
variation • Time consuming
On the surface it seems logical: more
When to • Soil testing history is good • Soil testing history not
sampling captures more detailed
use • Paddocks have not been reformed good
variability in soil fertility so enables more
tailored fertiliser recommendations and during farm development • Paddocks have been
an improved ROI. But is this actually the • Fairly consistent long term farm/ reformed during farm
case? nutrient management development/conversions
• Well established soil test transects • Precision technology
More not always best already used on farm
A review of current soil sampling
methods concluded that variability in FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact your Ballance Nutrient Specialist.
soil fertility, maximum potential yield
and crop value need to be considered 1 Knowles O, Dawson A, 2018. Current soil sampling methods - a review. Farm environmental planning – Science,
policy and practice. http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/publications.html. Occasional Report No. 31. Fertilizer and Lime
when choosing a soil sampling Research Centre, Massey University
strategy1.
Which approach should I use? Traditional approach
“All paddock testing can be a valuable
tool for farmers who are already
using precision technology, such
as electromagnetic soil mapping,
and precision planters and fertiliser
spreaders to optimise crop yields,” says
Angus.
“It can also be useful in situations
where a farm’s base fertility is
completely unknown, with no or poor
soil testing history, such as after a farm
purchase. All paddock testing can help All paddock testing
to guide sampling in the future.
“But if soil test history is good, blocks
have been well established, and
management is ‘stable’, traditional
‘directed’ soil sampling of blocks or
land management units is perfectly
adequate for creating robust fertiliser
plans.”
18 / ballance.co.nzAnimal Water Plant Soil
Sustainable soil tests
Good management can Has the
prevent cadmium (Cd) from farm been
accumulating to potentially tested in
the last 5
harmful levels in soils. Yes years? No
Cadmium is a naturally occurring
element found in many phosphorus (P)
fertilisers, that, at elevated levels, can be What is the Cd Conduct screening testing
toxic to humans and livestock. concentration? (standard transects, 75 mm deep)
Sensible fertiliser use and farm
management will keep cadmium Conduct definitive testing (transects throughAnimal Water Plant Soil
Is calcium needed?
Do we need to add calcium (Ca) according to an examination of data Table 1 Some Ballance fertilisers
to our soils or not? from numerous studies.” (See page containing Ca
19 of Grow Spring 2020 for more
“Plants need Ca, but deficiency is information.) Fertiliser Ca %
virtually unknown in New Zealand
as our soils are naturally quite high Possible pitfalls SurePhos 22
in it,” says Ballance Environmental “Besides the fact that there is sufficient PastureSure range 11.8 - 16.5
Management Specialist Ian Power. Ca in our soils, applying it can cause
While an absolute Ca deficiency has animal health issues,” says Ian. Superten 22
never been reported in New Zealand for For dairy cows, a high dietary intake 11 - 19.8
Potash Superten blends
pasture or crops, in some fruit at certain of Ca can cause milk fever, and it is
times demand can outstrip supply. recommended to avoid lime application Sulphurgain blends 13.8 - 21
For example, Ca deficiency can cause several months before calving and to
Serpentine Super 16.5
bitter pit in apples, and calcium chloride also avoid direct Ca supplementation
or calcium nitrate sprays are used to during the dry period (non-lactating Potash Serpentine Super
period before calving). 8.3 - 14.9
prevent it from occurring. blends
“Some consultants who follow the ratio Applying Ca to the soil can also PastureMag range 6.6 - 14
theory might recommend high inputs of exacerbate the leaching of Mg. When
the ratio of Ca to Mg increases, the Ca Gypsum 20 - 23
Ca,” says Ian.
can displace some of the Mg bound
Lime 30 - 40
The ratio theory proposes that the ratio on the cation exchange sites, so more
of Ca, potassium, and magnesium Mg is in the soil solution and at risk of Dolomite 15 - 20
(Mg) are important, and that plants leaching.
grow best in a soil with 60-80 per cent Ballance Dicalcic
Many fertilisers applied to supply other 30.9
of the available cation exchange sites Pastoral
occupied by Ca. nutrients also contain Ca (see Table 1).
Reactive phosphate rock
30 - 35
(RPR)
“But in most situations this is
FOR MORE INFORMATION
unnecessary, as there is sufficient Ca
in most soils. The ratio theory also Contact your Ballance Nutrient
results in inefficient use of resources, Specialist.
Calcium’s role in
soil and plants
In soil, Ca affects soil aggregate
stability (regulation of the movement
and storage of air and water
throughout the soil profile).
In plants, Ca is a component of cell walls
and membranes, is required for protein
synthesis and ion uptake, mediates
some enzyme reactions and is
important for root and tip
development.
20 / ballance.co.nzAnimal Water Plant Soil
A pivot that
irrigates and
provides fertiliser.
Spotlight on
fertigation
More light is being shed on using fertigation to get the most from nitrogen (N) applications.
A Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) similar amounts of crude protein, Trials to date have been conducted on
project is investigating if urea applied neutral detergent fibre content and cut and carry blocks, and future trials
by fertigation could increase N use metabolisable energy. may also consider nutrient transfer
efficiency, clover content, and pasture from grazing animals. Additional
production and quality compared to Effects of season and rate measurements including N leaching
solid urea. The second year of the project involved and N fixation will also be important
two trials at Lincoln University during to consider under a fertigation and
In the project’s first year, which involved conventional dairy farm system.
two trials at Lincoln University during the 2020/21 season, looking at the
the 2019/20 season, fertigation did effect of fertigation only in shoulder Ballance is collaborating with
not result in an increase in pasture months, and of varying application IrrigationNZ, the Ministry for Primary
production or quality across different N rates. Industries, Pāmu Farms of New Zealand
treatments. One trial tested whether applying and others on this project.
In the first trial, solid urea fertiliser was fertiliser only in shoulder months (as
opposed to throughout the season) FOR MORE INFORMATION
applied and irrigated either immediately
or two days later, or was fertigated would produce similar pasture The project’s year 1 summary results
(dissolved in water and applied with production and quality, due to increased report is available at bit.ly/3zeEuwj
irrigation) onto mixed perennial ryegrass clover content boosting production
throughout the summer season. PHOTOS: IrrigationNZ
and white clover pastures. Over a period
of eight months, seven harvests were A second trial, looking at fertigation
taken, with each of the three application application rates, compared the pasture Lincoln
treatments producing similar amounts production, pasture quality and clover University
of dry matter (DM). content produced by fertigation at 16 kg Masters student
In the second trial, pasture production N/ha, 20 kg N/ha and 24 kg N/ha. Tommy Lee worked
was compared across different on the trials.
IrrigationNZ plans to release the results
application frequencies. Nitrogen of these trials in spring 2021.
was either fertigated once a month or
weekly onto mixed perennial ryegrass Future directions
and white clover pastures. An identical
total amount of N was applied in both The project hopes to provide irrigators
cases – 25 kg N/ha once a month with clear information for successful
or 6.25 kg N/ha per week. Both fertigation, including advice on how
approaches again produced similar to successfully design, install, and
amounts of DM. manage fertigation systems. Irrigation
systems with fertigation must generally
Pasture quality was not affected by be managed differently to conventional
application method, frequency or irrigation systems.
rate, with all treatments producing
Grow South Island / 21You can also read
