Soil matters with Peter Burton Eco-logic Soil Improvement Ltd

The recent feedback from Eco-Logic Soil Improvement dairy farm clients using DoloZest/CalciZest based soil fertility programmes, is that this season, if not the most productive to date, certainly rivals any in the last 15 years.

Pasture growth rates from our monitor property near Edgecumbe have provided the following grass growth figures for the last four months: October 71kgDM/ha/day; November 67kgDM/ha/day; December 71kgDM/ha/day; January 74kgDM/ha/day.
With approximately 55kgDM/ha/day required to fully feed cows, there has been surplus to conserve for possible use later in autumn, however, given the rain due in the second half of February it is more likely to be fed in winter.
Dry matter is a somewhat crude, but useful measure as there is a great deal of historic dry matter pasture measures to compare with; however, it is the quality of the feed that really counts.
Pastoral farming is essentially an exercise in converting sunlight to usable energy via photosynthesis. This means that when sunshine hours are greatest and pasture growth is not restricted by lack of moisture, the potential to produce both volume and exceptional quality is greatest.
The energy content of pasture can be measured in different ways, however, it is animal performance that is the most relevant.
Farmer clients have recently reported exceptional production with little drop in production since the peak production period in October.
The reason for this is that when soils are calcium rich and well-structured, clover growth during summer can be quite exceptional. Clover, being higher in calcium and available energy than grasses, as well as being more digestible, is the ideal food for high producing lactating animals.
To achieve maximum energy, pastures must have passed their peak growth phase. At this time, there is maximum leaf surface area allowing more rapid photosynthesis as well as increased energy storage capacity.
Grasses at this stage develop a seed head and become stalky reducing their digestibility, however, clovers remain highly digestible.
Some of the energy developed is fed back down to the roots increasing the activity of mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi extend the effective area plant roots are able to harvest nutrients, particularly phosphorus, and moisture from.
With roots extending well beyond top 150mm, moisture availability seldom restricts pasture growth except in extended periods of dry weather and when grazing intervals are extended to 30-plus days, high quality feed is able to be stored ahead of the animals.
Healthy plants are largely resistant to flea, weevil and other pest attack. Pests are always likely to be present, however, not in sufficient numbers to have a marked effect on plant growth.
DoloZest and CalciZest have been developed largely from local resources and during seven years on-going monitoring here in New Zealand, has shown pastures to which these products have been applied are able to steadily increase both the total quantity of pasture grown throughout the year as well as its energy content.