Soil Matters

It’s been a big month in our camp, lots of neat things going on!

Great day out earlier this week at Untamed Earth Organic Farm tutoring BHU students with Reagan & Penny. This dynamic group of students are passionate about bringing nutritional food back to the table through organics, cover crops, composts, C:N & B:F ratios, land selection and management practices. We are super inspired!

We are deep into our busy time now, with results coming in and plans going out.

We are looking to fulfil a couple of open spaces in our portfolios.

If you need support in:
➡️ lowering mineral reliance,
➡️ diversifying pastures,
➡️ fixing N,
➡️ decreasing crop chemical use,
➡️ being confident in the decisions you are making...
.. get in touch to have a discussion on whether we are a fit to support your needs!

See our website (link in bio) for more information and contact details.

Without measurement, there can be no management 🌱

Our team has been flat tack pulling soil samples over the last month. This is a crucial opportunity for us to take stock, assess what has been achieved this season, and check where our soil fertility is sitting.

As results file in, we will be creating customised game plans for the coming season with a view to continue improving soil fertility and health for our clients.

Get in touch with our team at Soil Matters if you would like greater insight into the productive capabilities and opportunities on your farm 👨‍🌾

Wow! What a view!

It’s that time of year again, sheep and beef farmers are flying on their maintenance fert.

Get in touch to chat about fertiliser options for your hill country!

Two of our consultants, Jono and Reagan have been down at Walter Peak Farm discussing pasture management as part of the EOV programme. This particular paddock (first photo) was drilled as a multi-species, and the discussion was around how to manage this to maintain diversity and quality of the pasture.

Thank you to the team at Walter Peak for your hard work, and we look forward to seeing the outcomes.

It was a stunner of a day and the scenery was pretty good too 🌞🏔🌱

Whatever he's doing, he always has a smile on his face.

Today is the day Rob will receive his gold card, which may or may not mean he will be spending some more time fishing...🎣🛥

Happy 65th birthday Rob! We appreciate all you do, happy birthday from the Soil Matters team 🍻

Our thoughts and Aroha are with those that have been impacted by the recent weather events. It is devastating to see the damage caused. Although the worst of the weather is over, the recovery is a long journey ahead.

He waka eke noa.
“a waka we are all in together” – we are all in this together

Grain harvesting is upon us, time to cut off all the little heads🌾🚜

Photo 1: wheat, dryland farm, wet start to growing season, action was taken on demand when nutrient deficiencies identified throughout the growing season, satisfactory yield considering difficult growing conditions

Photo 2: barley, sap testing was done during the growing season which lead to good yield with low inputs

Make sure to book in your post harvest soil testing with us!
We can then help you prepare prior to planting for next seasons crop.

One of our soil consultants Jono Schwass, is running mixed species trial at Omarama Station. In conjunction with correct grazing and management, this will lead to positive impacts on soil and animal health. We are running these trials with New Zealand Merino Company and we're looking forward to see the outcomes!

The second photo shows a comparison between two paddocks, the multi species (left) and conventional species (right).

Update on the inter vine cover crop post, previous photos were taken 2 weeks before these photos! This is a vineyard which Becks Lawrence, our Viticulture specialiast has been working with in Blenheim.

The benefits of planting mixed species cover crops between vines:
- increased biodiversity above ground leading to attraction of beneficial insects and provides a habitat for insect pests
- increased biodiversity below ground (insects, bacteria, fungi) leading improved soil structure and moisture retention
🌱🪱🦠🦗🌱🪱🦠🦗🌱🪱🦠🦗
This seed mix contains:
Black oats
linseed
Crimson clover
Chicory
Tillage radish
Phacelia
Forage brassica
Mustard
Coriander
Fennel
Get in touch with Becks or Lachy to find out more about inter row cover crops 😊