As farmers we rely on natural systems to deliver as and when we require. We have no control over weather and trying to modify it, or the results of, has never been truly effective.
There appears to be an ongoing balancing act taking place with weather patterns and their consequences. Will what has been a severely cold winter for most areas turn into an outstanding spring? In some areas early season bulbs have appeared a little earlier than normal while in other areas they are a little later than usual.
There are however some things we can be reasonably sure of. Dry frosty winters normally precede memorable springs. Memorable for strong sunlight, contented healthy stock, and rampant pasture growth, when it arrives.
Soil temperatures dictate when strong spring pasture growth occurs and although frosts bring soil temperatures down, the sunlight that follows dries the soil. Dry soils warm more rapidly in spring with direct sunlight hours having the greatest influence.
An annual application of Golden Bay dolomite provides a range of benefits for pastoral farmers and growers dependant on soils for their livelihood.
Dolomite contains typically contains 11.5% magnesium and 24% calcium and is applied annually wherever there is a requirement for magnesium, normally at 250kg/ha, which applies 28 – 29kg of magnesium.
The long-term efficiency of dolomite is in large part due to it being a natural rock. Finely ground it is rapidly assimilated into the soil organic matter and the release rate of calcium and magnesium fits closely with plant demand. Little is lost via leaching or run-off.
Originally laid down on the ocean floor millions of years ago, dolomite contains a wide range of trace elements essential for plant and animal health. These traces although small contribute to the outstanding health of stock grazing or plants growing on land to which dolomite is regularly applied.
Regular applications of dolomite stimulate beneficial earthworm activity as a result of the direct soil conditioning effect and the supply of calcium.
As early as 1945 observers in New Zealand recognised the beneficial effect of earthworms and in the early 1950s trial work over a 20 month period showed increased pasture yields of 28% – 110% as a result of beneficial earthworm activity.
Reports from that time stated that where earthworms are active dung and plant residues are incorporated into the topsoil enriching it in organic material and available plant nutrients. Plant growth substances are secreted and passed into the soil. Physical structures are improved with better infiltration of rain, improved moisture holding capacity and root development.
With the likelihood of a dry spell sometime during summer the benefits of improving the moisture holding capacity of the soil are self-evident.
It may be low tech by some standards however its effectiveness is unequalled. The application of dolomite at any time during the year is guaranteed to provide substantial benefits resulting from improved soil and animal health.