Court rejects Greenpeace's attempt to block green hydrogen project
An attempt by Greenpeace to block the consent of a green hydrogen project involving fertiliser co-operative Ballance has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Soil tests should be the first step for farmers trying to manage budgets while maintaining pasture productivity, says fertiliser co-op Ballance.
Ballance science extension manager Ian Tarbotton says keeping soils fertile is good insurance with pasture an essential feed source, but gut instinct or experience won’t lead to good decisions on what to spend or save.
“Soil tests will show you what you have to work with and they are the best guide to decisions on a fertiliser budget.”
Tarbotton points to three main nutrients for soil fertility: phosphorus, sulphur and potassium; how they behave in soil provides a clue for application decisions.
“Sulphur is mobile in the soil, so usually requires annual applications. Potassium can leach too, notably on coarse textured soils. Phosphorus gets stored in the soil, so depending on reserves it may be possible to defer phosphate fertiliser application. Some nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium, could be supplied directly to stock as a short-term measure.”
Phosphorus is a key driver of production so, if possible, levels should be kept in the optimum range and testing will confirm whether levels need attention.
If sedimentary soil is above the optimum Olsen P range of more than 40, then cutting out phosphate maintenance for a year will not affect production. If the range is more than 30, then half maintenance of phosphate will not lead to noticeable impacts.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.
New Zealand farmers are committed to making their businesses more resilient to climate change and are embracing innovation to help them do so.
OPINION: Scientists claim to have found a new way to make a substitute for cow's milk that could have a…
OPINION: The Irish have come up with a novel way to measure cow belching, which is said to account for…