1. ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT USE OF NUTRIENTS ON FARMS FLRC, 2013
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.
Olsen P
Quick Test K
Sulphate-S pH
Farm Average Value
62.4
10.0
11.0
6.2
Olsen P
Quick Test K
Sulphate-S pH
Farm Value Range
32-106
5-18
6-17
Farm Target Range
40-50
10-12
6.0

4. What is a precision fertiliser plan?
PLAN – MEASURE – MANAGE - REVIEW
Achievable plan
Precise plan
Measurable plan
Accurate measurement
Timely measurement
Relevant measurement
Operational
Tactical
Strategic
What went right
What went wrong
Change to decisions
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

5. Plan 7 application decisions based on soil tests
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
2010
2011
2012
Olsen P

7. Measure
2010
2011
2012
Quick Test K

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) = (4.4 x pH) + (0.07 x CEC)
Average 1.4T/ha (Paddock Range from 0kg/ha to 2600kg/ha)

11. Summary Positives Work on’s 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