Product Sector: Agriculture
Industry: Agriculture - Dairy and Dry Stock
Products: Aglime
Interviewees: Paddy Shannon M.Agr.s (Hons) MNZIAS - Farming Consultant
Location: Te Awamutu
Application of nitrogen will acidify a soil.
Without countering nitrogen induced acidity it is likely farmers will end up with poor responses to applied fertiliser as plants are less productive in acid soils.
How much Lime?
This graph shows the amount of lime required to neutralise the acidity released by different types on N on an applied basis.
Different forms of nitrogen have different levels of lime demand.
Why Nitrogen Needs Lime
Light Rate Annual Liming
Light rate annual liming is the best way to counter nitrogen induced acidity. Farms following this practise have seen some great results. They are also gaining all other benefits of maintaining a soil pH around 6.2, such as;
Thoughts of the Farmers
Product Sector: Agriculture - Dry Stock
Products: Aglime
Source: Farm Production and Practice-Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (AgLink)
Ewe live weight and pasture availability
The main research features are:
Wool production
Lamb performance
Reasons for improved stock performance with AgLime
Conclusion
Case Study: Lime and Farming
Product Sector: Agriculture-Dairy
Location: New Zealand
Products: Ag Lime, Calcimate and RaceFines
Source / Interviewee: Dave Muggeridge
Introducing Dave Muggeridge
The challenge: optimising farm production through growing more grass
“I use AgLime and 2-6 Chip to alter the pH, increase the microbial activity in the soil and hence improve soil structure. The lime makes the grass highly palatable. So while it doesn’t change the number of mouthfuls a cow is eating each day, it does mean there is more in each mouthful. It makes the grass thicker (a bit like a NZ Wool carpet!) and highly nutritious.”
Why McDonald’s?
Proven history
Profitability
Better for the environment
“We’re growing a lot of grass and not leaving a footprint. And we’re not having a lot of nitrogen escaping out of the system.”
Quality product
“We have very active soil and lime is an integral part of soil fertility. McDonald’s (now Graymont's) is the best quality lime available.”
Results
To sum up, Ag Lime has provided measurable improvements in pasture production; Calcimate® prevents Dave’s cows from becoming hypocalcaemic after calving; and the RaceFines™“compacts nicely, just like the road”.
“We’ve been working with McDonald’s (now Graymont) since 1996,” says Dave. “The cows are satisfied and the results are very encouraging. There’s always grass, even in a drought period.”
Product Sector: Agriculture - Cropping
Product: AgLime
Source: Paddy Shannon, M.Ag.Sc.(Hons).
Low pH = low yield. Correcting low pH conditions can lead to large yield increases – often in the order of 20 to 50%. Preparing for this summers’ maize and fodder crops means starting to plan now.
Preparation
What you should be looking for?
Maize Crops
Summer Brassicas
What should you be doing now?
Case Study: Lime and Farming
Product Sector: Agriculture-Dairy
Location: New Zealand
Products: AgLime
Source / Interviewee: Mike Earwaker
Case Study: Lime and Farming
Product Sector: Agriculture-Dairy
Location: New Zealand
Products: AgLime
Source / Interviewee: Hugh Chisholm