{"id":527,"date":"2015-09-06T16:19:38","date_gmt":"2015-09-06T04:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agritender.co.nz\/?p=527"},"modified":"2015-10-06T16:22:23","modified_gmt":"2015-10-06T04:22:23","slug":"modern-farming-with-biologically-active-soils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agritender.co.nz\/modern-farming-with-biologically-active-soils\/","title":{"rendered":"Modern Farming with Biologically Active Soils"},"content":{"rendered":"

(This is a guest post by\u00a0Pete Kerdemelidis<\/span><\/a> from AgriChem \u2013 www.agrichemnz.com<\/a>)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"love-lawn-before-and-after\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In today\u2019s competitive farming environment we must use every tool in the shed to get the best result we can. \u00a0We are not only farming for today but we are farming for tomorrow and the future. \u00a0The key is maximising our production in a sustainable farm management plan so we can mitigate all risk for our chosen production.<\/h4>\n

The question asked is \u201chow can we do this?\u201d<\/p>\n

The answer is easily. \u00a0By selecting the right crop or pasture for the site, looking at the plants nutritional requirements, working out what is already in the soil, what can be made more available by activating soil biology, what risks we can reduce by having a functioning soil biomass, what is likely to happen in the upcoming season, and importantly (although often forgotten) animal health and nutrition requirements.<\/p>\n

In the simplest terms inorganic fertilisers like Urea are broken down by environmental weathering and further digestion by bacteria. \u00a0Fungi through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria then feed the plant these nutrients. \u00a0The plant in turn provides sugars (simple and complex carbohydrates) via the fungi to the colonies of bacteria and the cycle continues.<\/p>\n

The process sounds simple and is. \u00a0The problem is what happens when soils are not functioning well, i.e. are high in bacteria or low in fungi? \u00a0The Bacteria:Fungi ratio should be 1:1 for grassland, more bacteria for brassicas, more fungi for woody plants like tress\/ shrubs. \u00a0Ever wondered why a newly worked paddock that\u2019s put into brassicas works well for the first season \u2013 bacterial dominance. \u00a0Too much or too little can cause problems so it\u2019s best to check through a reputable lab like The Soil Foodweb Institute.<\/p>\n

Soils that are hard and compact, prone to waterlogging, worked regularly will be low in fungi and high in bacteria as fungi generally perish first while bacteria are more resilient. \u00a0If they receive high levels of inorganic fertiliser they will also be the same. \u00a0The solution to this is to feed the soil with a fungi feeder and a source of organic protein (nitrogen). \u00a0The best form of this is fish based.<\/p>\n

Increasing fungi levels allows expansion between the soil platelets in compact soils by increasing colonies. \u00a0This gives the effect of a more \u201cspongier\u201d soil. \u00a0It also allows soils to form colloids and provides structure. \u00a0With the increase in fungi larger soil biology come next allowing pathways in the soil for air and water to be held and to be drained. \u00a0With more soil biology the effective topsoil increases in depth allowing grasses etc to penetrate deeper into the soil increasing their \u2018feeding\u2019 ability and water access. \u00a0This cycle continues and expands what we actually farm.<\/p>\n

Consider the soils in a native bush setting \u2013 their ability to hold and dissipate water, the depth of effective soil, the smell, its ability to effectively cycle nutrients and hold onto them, the nutrient density of what is grown and compare this to a typical farm paddock. \u00a0The differences would be obvious to most people. \u00a0Imagine a paddock with this level of biological diversity \u2013 the nutrient dense soil with a high production capability.<\/p>\n

How can we do this for most farms?<\/p>\n

Easily, simply, biologically, sustainably and cost effectively. \u00a0By feeding the soils miners (bacteria), providing the infrastructure and highways (fungi), delivering products to market (the roots and plant), paying the workers (carbohydrates and simple sugars from the plant through the fungi to the bacterial colonies). \u00a0The perfect commercial operation.<\/p>\n

In essence, we apply organic proteins (nitrogen) at key timings:<\/p>\n