Post Drought Management.

The first significant rains after a long dry period trigger rapid pasture growth.

The catalyst is nitrate (NO3) that has accumulated as a result of soil biological activity and dormant plants. The forage grown as a result of luxury feeding on nitrate can contain grossly elevated levels of crude protein. Forage, especially perennial rye grass, with elevated crude protein levels presents a challenge for the animals.

Click here to see a comparison of the mineral composition of perennial ryegrass versus plantain versus optimum herbage mineral levels (Brunetti).

Latest news

27/04/2010 Fonterra announces 40 cent payout increase More

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27/04/2010

In order to

expand the debate on genetic engineering the following questions and requests are submitted for Dr Stephen Goldson. Click here for more

Health/Organic

Farming

Gardening

Why am I not feeling better? By Healing World.
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Post Drought management.
The first significant rains after a long dry period trigger rapid pasture growth. Read More Comment

Can organic fertiliser keep White Moth away? Read More
Comment

General Observations of a dogs body worker on a cropping farm.

Update 12/11 I worked 3 seasons on a cropping farm that grew wheat of various varieties, barley, oats and occasionally peas.

They were very good people to work for and considered highly intelligent by their peers and the district in general, and this is remaining anonymous so as to not disrespect anyone. However, having a close relative involved in organic farming and seeing his results, and the lack of chemical influence in achieving those results; it started me thinking more about why we do what we do. Click here to read more.

Tips & Help

5 signs that your farm needs help! More

Call us today on 0800 77 62 48 to receive a FREE copy of our educational DVD. More

What makes up healthy soil? More

Understand the importance of your soil. Your garden will thank you for it! More

Latest discussions

Is 1080 a classic case of the risks outweighing the benefits?

Dung Beetles are an intergral part of efficient on-farm nutrient recycling. Working Dung Beetles allow for very effective sequestration of plant available nitrogen by burying animal manure. Has anyone seen signs of working dung beetles? More
How much nitrogen, phosphate and potassium leaves the farm or orchard each year contained in products? More

Organic fertiliser helps avocado orchardists

John and Tui Neil reap the benefits of organic fertiliser.

Move away from chemical fertilisers

"We’ve been using fertilisers and pest control products for decades on our farms, crops and our home gardens."

Good News - Now you can eat all-natural meat the way it was meant to be

Some butchers "claim" to be organic but at Cambrian Fresh we actually are. All of our sheep and beef is grown chemical-free on our farms and our chicken, pork, salmon and other cuts are sourced from some of New Zealand’s most esteemed organic farms. It doesn't matter where you are in the country we can arrange delivery by courier. Phone us on (07) 5779558 or you can drop into our store at 116 Birch Ave Tauranga.

Probitas was developed by farmers for farmers

Ewan Campbell is a typical ‘kiwi bloke' who grew up on his father's dairy farm near Te Aroha and became thoroughly familiar with what constitutes poor and deficient land. He bought a property near Waihi and began farming on what was initially very depleted soils holding some of the highest aluminium levels of any soils in the world according to Brookside Laboratory.

During ten years of observations and trials Ewan developed an eco-safe and sustainable system of farming based on complete mineral and biological balance. He also undertook a period of study of soil testing methodology with Brookside Laboratory from the United States.
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What are your thoughts on 1080? Is there a sustainable alternative?

We want to hear what you have to say about topical matters such as 1080, general farming, health and organic and gardening issues facing New Zealanders.

Topic of the week:

Is 1080 a classic case of the risks outweighing the benefits?

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