There is increasing evidence that the present pastoral soil fertility system is in for a radical overhaul. Perhaps the only reason for the conventional phosphorus and nitrogen driven system to have remained entrenched for so long is the conservatism of farmers.
An often-voiced reason given for a reluctance to change is that others would see it as a sign of poor decision-making in the past. Receiving the benefits of improved farm performance earlier rather than later allows farmers to cash in the steadily increasing financial returns from lamb, beef, wool, and milk products.
Driving grass growth with phosphorus inputs up to three times that required for maintenance may have been economic when phosphorus was $2.00/kg of P, however at the present $3.50/kg of P continuing to apply phosphorus at past input levels is simply not affordable for many.
There is no parallel system, however there is an alternative system that is being implemented by an increasing number of farmers. Soils do not exist without life and with increasing soil life comes the ability to grow more grass of higher quality spread more evenly throughout the year resulting in improved animal performance, a reduction in animal health costs, less pasture renewal, significantly reduced workload, with more bankable profit at the end.
It all starts with the soil. Soils should ideally contain 25% air and 25% moisture. When this is achieved the use of nutrients becomes increasingly efficient, the cycling of nutrient becomes more rapid, leaching losses are minimised with less nutrient needing to be applied.
A recent article from the UK states that the quality of New Zealand lamb is declining resulting in people opting for other meats. Not only is the quality of lamb declining so too is the quality of all animals grown on soils that are steadily being degraded.
For many years it has been widely known that there is a direct link between tenderness of meat and soil pH. Soil and plant calcium levels are the issue rather than pH, however this information alone should have been sufficient for the regular application of high calcium input products.
To make the necessary changes required in soil fertility programmes information is required. A recent soil test along with a thorough examination of physical soil structures is a great start point.
Soil tests nearly always show inadequate plant available calcium and magnesium levels. The South Island has the remarkably valuable resource of Dolomite situated at Golden Bay. Dolomite that contains 11.5% magnesium and 24% calcium, both in the carbonate form along with a wide range of essential trace elements.
Dolomite not only is the most efficient supplier of calcium and magnesium it is also a powerful soil conditioner. Applying dolomite on an annual basis improves overall soil health in a way no other product can. It is a truly unique and valuable resource.