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A PRECISION FERTILISER PLAN: REAL MEASUREMENTS, REAL COSTS, REAL RESULTS

Learn about creating a precise fertiliser plan for farms to optimize nutrient use and cut costs, based on real measurements.

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A PRECISION FERTILISER PLAN: REAL MEASUREMENTS, REAL COSTS, REAL RESULTS

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  1. A PRECISION FERTILISER PLAN:REAL MEASUREMENTS, REAL COSTS, REAL RESULTS ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT USE OF NUTRIENTS ON FARMS FLRC, 2013 Hayden Lawrence Taranaki

  2. Where are we? WE FARM HERE

  3. What is a precision fertiliser plan? • What we knew • Solid fertiliser history • Large range in soil test values • Different land blocks with varying fertiliser history • Fertiliser was the second biggest farm working expenses on a dairy farm behind supplement feed.

  4. What is a precision fertiliser plan? PLAN – MEASURE – MANAGE - REVIEW Plan Reduce soil test variability between paddocks Measure Yearly individual paddock soil tests Manage Individual paddock application using decision support system Review Monitoring pasture production to ensure program is working • Achievable plan • Precise plan • Measurable plan • Operational • Tactical • Strategic • Accurate measurement • Timely measurement • Relevant measurement • What went right • What went wrong • Change to decisions

  5. Plan Table 1. Fertiliser product and rate decision support system based on individual paddock soil test values. • 7 application decisions based on soil tests • Helicopter application area treated as uniform • Nil application if soil test greater than target range

  6. Measure Olsen P 2010 2011 2012

  7. Measure Quick Test K 2010 2011 2012

  8. Manage – Application Maps Full P Full P,1/2 K Half P, Full K Full P 1/2 P,Full K Full K Full K Full K 2010 3 fert mixes 44% of farm no application 2011 (3 fert mixes) 53% of farm no application 2012 (6 fert mixes) 9% of farm no application

  9. Review Table 2. Review of fertiliser applied and associated costs compared to previous blanket fertiliser program Figure 1. Measured pasture and milk production from Niaruo daires over the previous four seasons

  10. Review • Cost Savings • From $131/ha to $195/ha • Fertiliser testing cost ($34/ha – 45 samples) • Not limiting pasture production (14.5T to 18.6T) • Lack of Sulphur(S) going on due to lack of Super Phosphate fertiliser • Use Elemental Sulphur/Urea mix in Late Autumn • Ensures S does not limit Winter/Early spring growth • Last year introduced precision liming program • Lime requirement (t/ha) = 26.2 - (4.4 x pH) + (0.07 x CEC) • Average 1.4T/ha (Paddock Range from 0kg/ha to 2600kg/ha)

  11. Summary Positives • Environmentally responsible • Not limiting pasture production • Not limiting milk production • Average Saving of $162/ha from blanket application approach Work on’s • Lots of testing at a busy time • Still work to do with logistics in making program farmer friendly

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