Newsletter - February 2009

February 2009

Background

The Eco-Logic Soil Improvement products, CalciZest, DoloZest and SeaZest have been developed over the last 6 years as a result of over 20 years of practical farming experience and involvement in the fertiliser industry.

Although the term ‘biological farming’ was unknown at the time of putting together these products and selling them under the ESI name, the system fits neatly within the internationally accepted parameters.

The focus of a biologically focussed soil fertility programme is maximising both quality and quantity of yield, whether crop or animal production.

Fundamental to the ESI philosophy is the acknowledgement of the direct link between soil, plant, animal, and human health, and the basis of ever improving health lies with improving soil health.

The focus of our work has been dairy farming because it is where our initial farming experience started. Alongside our involvement in the fertiliser industry has been work in the animal nutrition industry, a commercial peach, nectarine, apple, and potato enterprise, and more recently deer farming, and so the focus has widened.

DoloZest - based on dolomite was the first product developed and the results measured. Accurate long-term measures are essential. Without measurement there can be no certainty of performance, so a programme of monthly pasture cuts using standardised cages, cutting, and drying techniques was implemented. Dissection of the pasture collected from the cages was also made allowing clover, grass, and weed content to be recorded and compared.

CalciZest - was the next development based on the increasing awareness of the improvement in clover growth as a result of more calcium becoming available for plant uptake.

SeaZest - made for ESI and based on the proven long-term performance of total plant food foliars - was incorporated as it became apparent that feed quality could be consistently enhanced with increased calcium availability.

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At the heart of the outstanding performance of the ESI programme is the ability to enhance soil biology with the inclusion of a wide range of soil friendly fungi and bacteria cultured onto soft carbon. This makes up approximately 35% of both DoloZest and CalciZest.

As a result a rapid initial increase in plant growth is obtained. Perhaps more importantly there is a sustainable increase in plant growth over subsequent years due to steadily increasing humus formation. More carbon sequestered as a result of more humus lays the basis for increased crop and pasture performance.

Autumn

DoloZest applied at 350kg/ha applies sufficient magnesium to relegate animal calcium/magnesium issues to the ‘occasional and not severe’ category.

The live fungi and bacteria also assist the recovery of pasture and plants after prolonged dry periods. Dry soil conditions markedly reduce soil biology.

Phosphorus, potassium, sulphur are incorporated where necessary and based on recent soil tests, historical nutrient applications, and production targets.

Winter

There are number of options depending on weather conditions, soil temperature and brix levels of pasture.

SeaZest is ideal at this time of the year. When growth is slow and plants are under stress an infusion of a balanced and total feed via the leaf is very effective. Extra nitrogen and trace elements can be added to excellent effect at the point of mixing.

A combination of Base Mix and Sulphate of Ammonia can provide a sustained effect over a period of two months or more. The performance of SOA is enhanced when added to Base Mix and helps ensure plant nitrate is rapidly turned into useful protein.

Typically during winter brix levels on customer properties are 10 or better, so a SeaZest application with a little extra nitrogen, if needed, works well.

Late winter/early spring

As soil temperatures lift above 10°C there are increasing levels of nitrogen and other nutrients resulting in increased growth. A SeaZest application at this time will ensure highest possible nutrient density and brix levels.

Brix is energy. Higher brix means higher energy essential to balance the naturally high protein at this time of the year.

Late Spring/early Summer

Phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, and CalciZest provide all the essential elements necessary to maximise pasture production throughout the growing season. The increase in soil biology and calcium availability from CalciZest promotes strong, vigorous, long stemmed clover.

Extra calcium in the form of lime can be added as required based on soil requirements.

The gap between conventional fertiliser programmes and biologically focussed nutrient programmes is not as vast as many might expect, however there are some significant differences. Biological programmes rely on increasing levels of available calcium.

To achieve sustainably high brix readings (9+) in pasture requires phosphorus. Initially as available calcium levels rise with the use of CalciZest and DoloZest leaf levels of phosphorus may decline a little.

To ensure sufficient phosphorus, it is included in both spring and autumn mixes. This autumn DAP is being recommended. It’s a cost-effective means of getting a little of both nitrogen and phosphorus into the system, and when used in conjunction with DoloZest the imbalances and low brix associated with DAP applications are overcome.

Sulphur is an essential input. After a dry summer available sulphur is usually high however should winter deliver higher than usual rain a little extra sulphur in the form of Sulphate of Ammonia/Base Mix is excellent cover.

Gypsum is our preferred form of sulphur input. Gypsum is Calcium Sulphate, and a proven soil conditioner. When pinning the pasture cut cages in early February on dry ground it was noticeable that the soil was surprisingly friable. The combined effect of all inputs is ensuring soils maintain best possible condition even when dry.

Foliar fertilisers have received bad press over the years however many farmers continue to use them to excellent effect as part of their programmes.

Liquid fertilisers do not replace solid nutrient inputs. When soil nutrient levels are adequate and available calcium levels are high, SeaZest provides outstanding results.