Stimulating Growth with DoloZest

Stimulating growth with DoloZest

Peter Burton
24th April 2009

All of the intensive dairy farm feed budgets viewed recently indicate pasture covers to be lower than desired for this time of the year. This is not surprising because until very recently in most areas there has been insufficient rain for optimum autumn growth.

With soil temperatures still around 15°C there is still the possibility of strong growth before the end of May. Much will depend on how quickly cold southerlies follow warm northerly rain.

The rate of pasture growth prior to soil temperatures reaching the winter slow growth temperature of 10°C or less will depend in part on the availability of nitrogen.

DoloZest, the proven soil improver from Eco-Logic Soil Improvement, applied at the rate necessary to replace magnesium lost from soils throughout the season will stimulate autumn, winter, and early spring pasture growth reducing or eliminating the need for fertiliser nitrogen.

The increase in pasture growth comes from the release of nutrient including nitrogen as a result of the rapid breakdown of dung and dead grass, an improvement in physical soil structures, and an increase in the rate of nutrient cycling.

DoloZest contains magnesium and calcium in dolomite form, soft carbon inoculated with selected beneficial fungi and bacteria, and carbohydrate.

An annual application of DoloZest assists with the accumulation of soil carbon increasing the storage capacity of both moisture and nutrients. The rate at which this occurs is accelerated due to the activity of incorporated soil friendly fungi and bacteria.

With steadily improving physical structures plant roots are encouraged to develop to a greater depth utilising moisture and nutrient from a greater depth reducing leaching losses of particularly phosphorus and nitrogen.

Increased soil carbon and root mass ultimately translates to increased total plant growth.

The carbohydrate in DoloZest provides an initial energy source for the increased biological activity. Earthworms are most active during winter and provided soils are not damaged by pugging worms and other beneficial soil dwellers process organic matter into humus laying the base for strong spring growth.

As soil temperatures lift in late winter pasture growth steadily increases with more total growth expected each year.

Over the last five years monthly pasture cut data from properties using DoloZest has been accumulated. Monthly rates vary from year to year depending on weather conditions however total growth over the 90 day periods of autumn, winter, spring, and summer, are more consistent.

Where care and attention have been paid to the three aspects of soil fertility; nutrient levels, physical structure, and biology, pasture growth between now and early September is likely to be sufficient to ensure a confident start to next season with all the added benefits that come with nutrient dense high brix pasture.