After four years without applying solid fertiliser on his 88ha dairy farm in Taupiri, Andrew Hayes has just beaten the Waikato average grass production of 11.2 DM/ha by almost 60%. In the 2012-13 season, his dry matter hit 17.7DM/ha with only 30-40N applied.
Andrew attributes much of his success to the Clovertone liquid nutrients which he uses instead of a conventional solid fertiliser programme – at around 30% of the input cost.
“When you’re looking to boost net profits, reducing supplementary feeding and running an all grass system makes sense,” said Andrew. “Similarly, replacing artificial fertiliser inputs with products that
support nutrient recycling and biological activity in the soil also adds up.”
Andrew gradually began to replace solid fertiliser inputs with Clovertone soil conditioner nine years ago. His focus has been on creating a more profitable, sustainable system that doesn’t impact negatively on the fragile wetland environment that surrounds Lakeland farm.
“Over the years I have seen that Clovertone actually stimulates biological activity in the soil to recycle nutrients – after nine years I am definitely not mining nutrients applied in previous seasons.
Our pH is up and our P levels are holding steady. We’re getting 10-20 worms a spade, more friable soil and the grass roots are going deeper.”
Nine years ago grass roots were measured at an average 75mm on Lakeland Farm and soil testing this season has shown that rooting depth is now 150-200mm across the farm. Sward diversity and
clover content has also increased significantly. This has had a positive knock-on effect on herd health.
“We’ve had no bloat and hardly any milk fever over the past few seasons. The animals are getting all the nutrients they need from the grass. Before we started with Clovertone, we had a lot more milk
fever and were piling on the causmag – we don’t use any now.”
Andrew’s success over the years with the Clovertone soil conditioner has led him to try other products from the company. This year he has applied both their liquid nitrogen product, ActiveN and Lactrace – a pasture conditioner formulated specifically to provide the right mineral mix for incalf and lactating cows.
“We haven’t had to drench any cows this year. Our fertility is up – we’ve got a 2% empty rate – and we’ve had no cows go down. The cows went into calving in great condition – you could see it in
their coats. The ActiveN really pushed the ryegrass during winter and early spring, the clover and other grass species will then start to come through as temperatures rise. After applying 10 litres of
ActiveN, the grass looked like we’d put on about 40 units N of urea – it just took off.”
