Eco Soils Research
Tauranga (NZ) based Eco Soils Research conducted a twelve month comparison study on a Waikato farm which changed from using a traditional superphosphate and nitrogen fertiliser programme, to one employing only Organic 100 Liquid Fish and Kelp and Rok Dust applications.


Verbatum report:
A significant increase in earthworm activity was recorded and anecdotal results indicated increases in soil nitrogen and phosphates, and improvements in the pasture contents of selenium, sulphur, iron, fibre, zinc, potassium and phosphorous.

Prior to the commencement of the Organic 100 programme, the pasture sward showed considerable patchiness with approximately 60% comprising shorter low density grass cover. Twelve months later the grass cover was more even with less distinction between these lower and higher fertility areas, and the amount of surface thatch seemed to be reduced. The owner reported that 1999 was a record milking year with production improved some 11% on the average of the previous two years (1997 and 1998). This was accomplished even though cow numbers on the farm were reduced in 1999 by 8%. As of October 2000 with similar cow numbers, milk production was projected to repeat the previous year’s figure. Milk Fever over past years claimed three to four cows per year, but no stock losses have occurred since the Organic 100 programme was adopted. Table of Findings:        
  • Number of earthworms....up 500% ·        
  • Soil Nitrate Nitrogen.......up 219% ·        
  • Soil total nitrogen ...........up 50% ·        
  • Soil Phosphate ..............up 49% ·        
  • Pasture Selenium ..........up 180% ·        
  • Pasture Sulphur ............ up 160% ·        
  • Pasture Iron ...................up 120% ·        
  • Pasture Fibre .................up 116% ·        
  • Pasture Potassium.........up 103% ·        
  • Pasture Phosphorous..... up 75%

Conclusion:
On this dairy farm a change made last year from a traditional fertiliser programme to one consisting of applications of Organic 100 [link] Liquid Fish and Kelp and Rok dust, resulted in a 500% increase in earthworm population. This increase may explain the differences in nutrition indicated in both the soil and the pasture results – further research is pending.

John C. Perham
(Dip Agy, MRSNZ, EACA).
Senior Consultant
 

Consider a transition programme that not only conforms with all the new Food Safety regulations, sustainable farming and animal management codes, but also cuts on-farm costs and improves your bottom line! Freephone 0800 843 539 or email us now.

 

In perspective... if Earth is the equivalent of a 46 year old, dinosaurs did not appear until a year ago when the planet was 45. Mammals arrived, only eight months ago and in the middle of last week, men-like apes evolved into ape-like men. Modern man has been around for four hours and during the last hour man discovered agriculture.

 

Aspartame has been pronounced an 'ignored epidemic' by a doctor and researcher, H J Roberts M.D. and author of a 1038 page medical text on the subject. He noted that people are literally dropping dead from this additive neurotoxin, which just happens to have FDA blessing!

 
newsletter-link.jpg