Client: Stuart Richards, Drystock Farm, Te Awamutu

Up until 3 years ago, we had been using a conventional fertiliser programme, with satisfactory results. I attended a fertiliser seminar, and was surprised by the lack of knowledge farmers had in terms of soil chemistry and pasture production.

A little disturbing I thought, as growing grass is the basis of our industry. Grandfathers, fathers and sons have based their knowledge on what has been passed down to them, what works for them, and what their fertiliser sales rep tells them. If it gets the results, why question it, why change? A need to be environmentally aware and conscious of what you are doing to the soil on your farm, finding a balance between production, animal health and welfare, and having a life, requires farmers to question, to change, to look for any advantage you can. Fertiliser is a large part of our operating expenses, it eats a lot of profit, money that could be spent elsewhere. I wanted to know what alternatives I had. The theory behind Clovertone makes sense, it doesn't require a Ph.D to understand, but a willingness to look for alternative solutions to the same problems and a little open-mindedness.

To see for ourselves, we set aside 8 hectares for trials. Pasture cages were put randomly around the paddocks by myself, and cuttings were taken at intervals depending on the time of year. The cages were used so we could see and physiclly weigh the cuts. For the past three years we have applied an autumn dressing of Clovertone to half the farm, and the other half in spring, and have stopped using urea altogether. The aim is to put an entire dressing of Clovertone on the farm in autumn, and top up the silage paddocks in the spring. Within months, a noticeable change had occurred in pasture composition. At first we observed an increase in white clover, noticeable on the hill country where it had once been sparse. Plantain emerged and red clover began to grow. Now composition of the pasture is 70/30 clover to ryegrass. The sward looks healthy and vibrant, the clover growth is vigorous, with minimal leaf damage. The variety of plants in the pasture provides the stock with additional health benefits.

We have witnessed an improvement in stock health, noticeably in physical appearance. The stock look healthy. They have energy and appear content, rather than bellowing a reminder to move them to greener pasture. Lambing percentages have improved, put down to the fact that we are able to keep the ewes at peak condition at critical times of the year. Due to the improved pastures, we don't have to drench as often. This means the stock are in the yards less often, where they pick up disease and infections in the dust. They spend more time in the paddock, eating and growing.

Growing healthy pasture is imperative. It requires a balance of many individual factors that cannot always be manipulated or controlled. Fertiliser application is one of those factors that we as farmers do have control over, and it has to be used considerately and when required. Why apply fertiliser when the soil doesn't need it, or when climatic conditions don't promote grass growth? It shouldn't be put on to help you sleep at night!

All it took was trying something different on a small percentage of the farm. At worst it would prove what we were doing in the past was good enough. We have been pleased with the results Clovertone has given so far, and we are excited about the growing of healthy pasture and stock.