May 2009
The misconception that environmentally friendly and sustainable farming means lower production still appears to be widespread. The use of CalciZest and DoloZest based programmes has again this season shown that high production, and a cleaner environment work hand in hand.
Well-structured, humus rich biologically active soils producing high and ever increasing quantities of top quality food is achievable.
Over 18,000kg DM/ha has been recorded for the twelve months ending early May from one site near Edgecumbe.
Over 15,000kg DM from a site near Reporoa for the same period, up almost 50% on the dry affected previous twelve months.
Both are intensive dairy properties and in both cases little fertiliser nitrogen has been applied.
What we now know is given the same climatic conditions next season these farms will grow more total feed, and the year after more again.
This is because every year there is a steady increase in soil humus levels.
Humus is the result of the breakdown of carbonaceous matter, which in pastoral systems is mostly dung, dead grass and roots. It contains proteins, lignin, fats, carbohydrates, and organic acids. The beneficial aspects of humus include:-
1. It provides a storehouse of essential plant nutrients; for example, it stores over 95% of the nitrogen, 60% of the phosphorus, and 98% of the sulphur available to plants.
2. It helps make some nutrients more soluble and available to plants. Because of increased micro-organism activity during the warmer months, nutrients are released at the time of the plants greatest need. Acids in humus also slowly dissolve soil minerals and release nutrients.
3. It contains substances that stimulate plant growth and improve crop quality and resistance to pests and diseases.
4. It provides high water adsorption and holding capacity because of its spongy nature.
5. It contributes to good soil structure (good tilth) by helping make soil crumbly and porous. It also reduces wind and water erosion and makes soils easier to work.
6. It buffers the soil and protects plants from high salt levels, toxic chemicals, and drastic change in pH.
7. It provides food for the beneficial soil organisms, especially in the “pre-humus” form of fresh organic matter.
How valid is this: There is no such thing as scientific fact, only an improved theory.
* * * * *
High performance pastoral farming done the Eco-Logic way is a cleansing process.
Measuring is an integral part of our monthly work. Good measures replace guesswork and give us the confidence to make recommendations that ensure each dollar spent results in more than a dollar returned.
Our pasture measures are conducted the same way with same size cages as the work done by MAF since the 1960’s. This means that the results can be referenced against historical data.
MAF pasture growth rate figures form the late 70’s and early 80’s indicate that under conventional fertility systems there has been little if any increase in pasture production over the last twenty years.
The Eco-Logic Soil Improvement programmes provide the basis for steadily increasing pasture production each year without reliance on fertiliser nitrogen.
With soil temperatures now heading rapidly below 10°C pasture growth rates are also rapidly slowing.
The Otago Regional Council website article The transition to winter contains the following:-
“When soil temperature at 9.00 am drops below 5°C pasture growth rate drops to be about equal to temperature (5kg DM/ha/day). For each degree above 5°C growth goes up by about 4kg DM/ha/day. If soil temperature is 9°C, growth is likely to be somewhere close to 21kg DM/ha/day [5+(4x4)].”
With an increasing number of our customers regularly recording soil temperature we would appreciate feedback on the usefulness of this measure. So far our soil temperature measuring supports the equation. Here, close to Rotorua, snow has fallen on the hills just above us for the second time in 12 months.
Soil thermometers can be purchased from a number of suppliers. The TH310 (100mm probe) model we use was purchased from David von Pein of Australia, www.themeterman.com.au.
Soil thermometers and refractometers can be purchased here in New Zealand from horticultural suppliers. Hort Instruments www.thermometer.co.nz in Auckland have 0 – 32% Brix refractometers advertised on their website. Weatherdata www.weatherdata.co.nz have soil thermometers available.
* * * * *
Brix levels.
Ongoing measuring of pasture brix has shown that higher brix levels provide higher increased milk production and weight gains.
As with any single measure there are always anomalies and the results need to be interpreted. If the plant matter being tested is dehydrated or so tough and fibrous that it is not easily digestible a high brix reading does not necessarily mean that it is good food.
High brix food provides higher levels of energy and particularly over the next few months high energy feed will produce the best animal performance.
The results obtained in pasture reflect performance in horticulture. If it grows in soil the application of DoloZest or CalciZest as part of a nutrient programme addressing the major and minor nutrient requirements has been shown to consistently provide the following benefits:-
-
Higher brix and less rots.
Clovers nearly always provide brix readings higher than that of grass in the same sward. Clover is also more digestible resulting in outstanding animal weight gains and milk solid production. Over winter clovers are largely dormant and it is the time that grasses dominate and provide the bulk of the feed.
Stimulating growth and lifting brix levels over winter can be achieved with the use of SeaZest.
Foliars (liquid fertilisers) do not replace solid nutrient applications. Where plant available calcium levels are high, as is the case where DoloZest and/or CalciZest have been regularly applied, SeaZest provides a pleasing response.
The inclusion of copper and cobalt with SeaZest applications has provided sufficient of both elements for excellent growth and fertility rates in our deer.
Typically two applications are made annually, one early autumn and another mid to late winter.
* * * * *
Brix Table
|
|
Poor |
Average |
Good |
Excellent |
|
|
Poor |
Average |
Good |
Excellent |
|
FRUITS |
|
|
|
|
|
VEGETABLES |
|
|
|
|
|
Apples |
6 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
|
Asparagus |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
|
Avocados |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Beets |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
|
Bananas |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
Bell Peppers |
4 |
6 |
8 |
12 |
|
Blueberries |
10 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
|
Broccoli |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
|
Cantaloupe |
8 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
|
Cabbage |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
|
Casaba |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
Carrots |
4 |
6 |
12 |
18 |
|
Cherries |
6 |
8 |
14 |
16 |
|
Cauliflower |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Coconut |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
Celery |
4 |
6 |
10 |
12 |
|
Grapes |
8 |
12 |
16 |
20 |
|
Corn Stalks |
4 |
8 |
14 |
20 |
|
Grapefruit |
6 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
|
Corn (Young) |
6 |
10 |
18 |
24 |
|
Honeydew |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
Cow Peas |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Kumquat |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Endives |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Lemons |
4 |
6 |
8 |
12 |
|
English Peas |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
Limes |
4 |
6 |
10 |
12 |
|
Escarole |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Mangos |
4 |
6 |
10 |
14 |
|
Field Peas |
4 |
6 |
10 |
12 |
|
Oranges |
6 |
10 |
16 |
20 |
|
Green Beans |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Papayas |
6 |
10 |
18 |
22 |
|
Hot Peppers |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Peaches |
6 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
|
Kohlrabi |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
|
Pears |
6 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
Lettuce |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Pineapple |
12 |
14 |
20 |
22 |
|
Onions |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Raisins |
60 |
70 |
75 |
80 |
|
Parsley |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Raspberries |
6 |
8 |
12 |
14 |
|
Peanuts |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
Strawberries |
6 |
10 |
14 |
16 |
|
Potatoes (Irish) |
3 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
|
Tomatoes |
4 |
6 |
8 |
12 |
|
Potatoes (Red) |
3 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
|
Watermelons |
8 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
|
Potatoes (Sweet) |
6 |
8 |
10 |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Romaine |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
|
GRASSES |
|
|
|
|
|
Rutabagas |
4 |
6 |
10 |
12 |
|
Alfalfa |
4 |
8 |
16 |
22 |
|
Squash |
6 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
|
Grains |
6 |
10 |
14 |
18 |
|
Sweet Corn |
6 |
10 |
18 |
24 |
|
Sorghum |
6 |
10 |
22 |
30 |
|
Turnips |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
Within a given species of plant, the crop with the higher refractive index will have a higher sugar content, higher mineral content, higher protein content and a greater specific gravity or density. This adds up to a sweeter tasting, more minerally nutritious food with lower nitrate and water content, lower freezing point, and better storage attributes.
