focus - foundation for arable research · about nutrient management planning for your arable farm...
TRANSCRIPT
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FOCUSF o u n d a t i o n F o r A r a b l e R e s e a r c h
FAR
Nutrient Management Plans
FOCUS
• Whatisanutrientmanagementplan?
• Resources
• Nutrientmanagementchecklist
I s s u e 0 6 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 2
I S S U E
6
A D D I N G VA L U E T O T H E B U S I N E S S O F A R A B L E F A R M I N G ™®
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2
Introduction“Each unit of land should be farmed within its limits; achieving sustainability does not need to come at the cost of production or profit”
A nutrient management plan is your plan for optimising the use of nutrients on your farm.
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Contents1.Background..........................................2 • Nutrientmanagementplans • Nutrientplanninglinkages
2.Introduction..........................................5 • WhydoIneedanutrientmanagementplan? • Whatisanutrientmanagementplan? • Whatshouldmynutrientmanagement planinclude? • Nutrientmanagementchecklist • Makingithappen
3.Resources.............................................8 • Nutrientmanagementtools • Farmmapping • Soilmapping • Soilmaps • Soiltesting • FertiliserPurchaseRecords
4.Nutrientmanagementchecklist........ 10 • Propertymanagement • Farmresources • Fertilisermanagement • Soiltesting • Soilmanagement • Irrigation • Waterways
©FoundationforArableResearch(FAR)
DISCLAIMER
ThispublicationiscopyrighttotheFoundationforArableResearchandmaynotbereproducedorcopiedinanyformwhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermission.
ThisFARFocusisintendedtoprovideaccurateandadequateinformationrelatingtothesubjectmatterscontainedinit.IthasbeenpreparedandmadeavailabletoallpersonsandentitiesstrictlyonthebasisthatFAR,itsresearchersandauthorsarefullyexcludedfromanyliabilityfordamagesarisingoutofanyrelianceinpartorinfulluponanyoftheinformationforanypurpose.Noendorsementofnamedproductsisintendednorisanycriticismofotheralternative,butunnamedproduct.
FOCUSFARFOCUS
5.Technicalnotes..................................... 15 • Propertymanagementobjectives • Farmresources • Fertilisermanagement • Soilmanagement • Preventingnutrientsandsedimentsfrom gettingintowater • Waterways
6.Appendices............................................. 24
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1.Background• Nutrientmanagementplans
• Nutrientplanninglinkages
Background
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Farmingpracticeshaveimpactsonwater,soilsandgreenhousegasemissions.Farmersallaroundtheworldareunderincreasingpressuretoreducetheirenvironmentalfootprintbyminimisingnutrientlossesandemissionsfromtheirland.Lostnutrientsareacosttoboththefarmbusinessandtheenvironment.
AllNewZealandershaveacommoninterestinensuringourfreshwaterlakes,rivers,aquifersandwetlandsaremanagedwisely.Theyarepartofournaturalheritage,contributingtoourwell-beingand
mustbepreservedforfuturegenerations.ByworldstandardsNewZealand’swaterqualityishigh,butnutrientlossfromourfarmsishavingasignificantimpact.Nitrogenandphosphorusdrivefarmproductivitybutwhentheyleachorwashintofreshwatertheybecomeenvironmentalpollutants,reducingthequalityofthewaterinourlakesandriversandharmingfreshwatereco-systems.
Farmersareunderpressurefromregionalcouncils,industryandenvironmentalgroups,andthepublictominimisenutrientlosses.AnumberofnationalobjectivesthroughtheNationalPolicyStatementforFreshWaterandtheLandandWaterForumareinplacethatwillimpactonfarmers.Theseincludethesettingofnutrientloadlimitsforcatchmentsbyregionalcouncilsandtheirrequirementsforfarmerstohavenutrientmanagementplans.Industrypartnerships,suchastheDairyingandCleanStreamsAccord,arefocussingonreducingtheimpactsofdairyingonfreshwaterquality.
Itisessentialthatfarmersunderstandthepotentialeffectoftheirmanagementpracticesonwaterresources,andthattheyusearangeofpracticestominimisenutrientlossestotheenvironment.
Nutrientmanagementplanningisaprocessthatfarmerscanusetoassesstheeffectivenessoftheirnutrientmanagementpracticesandtheriskofenvironmentaldamagefromnutrientlossesfromtheirland.
Thisnutrientmanagementplanchecklistandtemplatehasbeendevelopedthroughout2011and2012byNewZealandcroppingfarmersforNewZealandcroppingfarms.TheactivecomponentsoftheplancanbedownloadedfromtheFARwebsitewww.far.org.nz.
Inthefuture,weexpectthenutrientmanagementplanforcroppingfarmerswillbeavailablethroughsomededicatedsoftware.
NutrientmanagementplansTherearetwowaysthatenvironmentalperformancecanbeimproved.
InputcontrolsWherefarminputsarecappedandcontrolledbyregulatorybodies,orbythebetteroption;
OutputreportingWherefarmerscontroltheirinputsthroughmanagementpracticesandtheyreportonthenutrientoutputsfromtheirfarmingsystems.
Thenutrientmanagementplanisthetoolforthispurpose.
Background 3
ThisFARFocusisdesignedtoprovideyouwithinformationaboutnutrientmanagementplanningforyourarablefarmAnutrientmanagementplanisapersonalisedbusinessdocumentforyourfarm.Itisuniquetoyourfarmaseveryfarmisdifferentandeveryfarmerhasdifferentbusinessobjectives.Itisyourplananditneedstobedevelopedandimplementedtoworkforyou.
Yournutrientmanagementplanwillhighlightpracticeswhichcanbeimplementedtooptimisetheuseofnutrients.Lossesfromleachingandrun-offwillbereducedtogiveyoubettercostefficienciesandbetterenvironmentaloutcomes.
Tobeaneffectivefarmmanagementtool,yournutrientmanagementplanrequiresyourinput.Itneedstoberevisitedandupdatedannuallytodeliverbenefitstoyourbusiness.Itrequiresyoutoidentifywhatcanrealisticallybedoneonyourfarmwiththeavailableresources,andtodevelopaplantoimplementchange.Itislikelythatallregulatoryauthoritieswillrequirefarmerstohaveanutrientmanagementplaninthefuture.Thisisalreadyinplaceinsomeregions.
Anumberofpeoplecanhelpyoudevelopanutrientmanagementplan.Theseincludefarmemployees,farmconsultantsandfertilisercompanyconsultants.
Insummary:Yournutrientmanagementplanis:• isapersonalisedbusiness documentforyourfarm;
• isdevelopedwithyourinput;
•andimplementedbyyou;
•anactionplantooptimisesthe useofnutrientsonyourfarm forbetterproductivityand environmentalbenefits.
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Nutrientplanninglink
ages
Catch
men
tPlan
Who
lefarmplan
Nutrientm
anag
emen
tplan
Nutrientbudgeting
Soiltestingand
monitoring
4 Background
Thecatchm
entp
lansetsth
eob
jectivesforthecatchm
ent.Itusually
focusesonwaterquality,butm
ightinclud
eotherenvironm
entaland
econom
icobjectives.A
lltheland
withinth
ecatchm
entisconsidered.
Thewholefarm
planconsidersthefullrangeofactivitiesbeingund
er-
takenonth
efarm
,oftenfro
manenvironm
entalperspective.They
mayinclud
eactionplansforsoilerosion,biodiversityenhancement,
animalwelfareand
wetland
and
riparianmanagem
ent.
Anutrientm
anagem
entp
lanconsidersthewholefarm
.Itinvolves;
•Settingbusinessobjectives–economic,environm
entalandsocial.
•Perform
ingariskassessmentforth
esustainablemanagem
ent
ofnutrients.
•Decidingonaplanofaction–includ
ingtim
efra
mesand
costs.
•Keepingre
cordsthatareaud
itablebyaninde
pend
entthirdparty.
Thenutrientbud
getcom
parescrop
inpu
tswithcropoutputs,
partitioningthenutrientsbetweenthecrop
and
theenvironm
ent.
Nutrientbud
getsarecom
pletedforland
managem
entu
nitsatthe
endofth
eseason.O
VER
SEE
R®isonenutrientbud
getingtoolth
at
hasbe
endevelop
edforNZfarm
s.
Soiltestsand
soilqualitymeasurementsprovideth
ebasisfor
riskassessmentform
anagingnutrientsandmaintainingth
esoil
prod
uctivity.T
heyprovideevidenceth
atth
eNMPisdeliveringon
itsobjectives.
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2.Introduction• WhydoIneedanutrientmanagementplan?
• Whatisanutrientmanagementplan?
• Whatshouldmynutrientmanagementplaninclude?
• Themostimportantpart-makingithappen!
Background
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WhydoIneedanutrientmanagementplan?TheycansaveyoumoneyAnutrientmanagementplan(NMP)iscustom-madeforyourfarm.Itwillhelpyouutilisenutrientsmoreefficiently,butthereismoretoefficientnutrientmanagementthanjustgettingthefertiliserinputsright.
Althoughfertiliserisakeysourceforthenutrientsutilisedbyyourcrop,thereareothernutrientsourcesandmanagementfactorsinvolved.Considerationmustalsobegiventosoilandstockmanagement,irrigationandtheuseofwintercrops.Fertiliserresponsewillbebettermanagedifallthesefactorsaretakenintoconsideration,andimprovedefficiencieswillproviderealsavings.
AwellthoughtoutNMPmakesgoodbusinesssense.
MarketassuranceAnaccreditedandapprovednutrientmanagementplandemonstratesthatyouarecapablyaddressingthepotentialenvironmentalimpactsofyourbusiness.Thisisanincreasinglyimportantconsiderationintermsofmarketqualityassuranceprogramsandgovernmentregulation.
NutrientmanagementplanswillmeetregionalcouncilrulesRegionalcouncilsarechargedwithmonitoringandprotectingournaturalresourcesincludingthequalityofwaterways.Scientificmonitoringhasshownadeclineofwaterqualityinlowlandrivers,lakesandgroundwatersystems,andregionalcouncilsaretakingstepstohaltthedecline.Forexample,EnvironmentWaikatoandHorizonsRegionalCouncilnowrequireanyoneusingmorethan60kgN/ha/yeartohaveaNMP.Otherregionalcouncilsarelikelytoimplementsimilarrules,solet’sstayaheadofthegame.
Whatisanutrientmanagementplan?Anutrientmanagementplanisawrittendocumentwhichdescribeshowmajornutrients(N,P,K,S,andothersofimportancetospecialistcrops)willbemanagedannually.Itisimplementedtooptimiseproductivity,reducenutrientlossesandaddressanypotentialadverseeffectsontheenvironment.
Weneedtorememberthatournutrientpracticesmustbemanagedallyearroundforcrops,stockgrazingandlandthatisbeingfallowed.
Whatshouldmynutrientmanagementplaninclude?Anutrientmanagementplanmustidentifyyourfarmgoalsandobjectives,thefarmresourcesandthesignificanceofanyriskareas.Itshouldidentifytheactionstobetakenandrecordstobekept.
$$$inthebank.
Anutrientmanagementplanmakesgoodbusinesssenseaswellashelpingyoutomeetregionalcouncilregulations.
Anutrientmanagementplanismorethanjustanutrientbudgetoffertiliserinputs.Itaddressesarangeofmanagementoptionstoincreaseproductivity,andreducenutrientlossesandenvironmentaleffects.
Agoodnutrientmanagementplanstartswithafarmmapandaccuraterecordingkeeping.
Accesstomarkets.
Introduction6 Introduction
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Afarmmapisausefulstartingpointforanutrientmanagementplan.Ifyoudonotalreadyhaveafarmmap,werecommendyoudevelopone.Itdoesn’thavetobealargetaskandthereareguidelinesinthetechnicalnotesonwhatshouldbeincluded.Farmmappingservicesarewidelyavailable(seeResources).
Goodrecordmanagementisakeypartofnutrientmanagement.YourNMPshouldhavecopiesof,orreferencetothelocationof,thefollowingdocuments:
• Nutrientmanagementchecklist(seenext)• Soilsamplingprotocols• Soiltestresults• Fertiliserrecommendations• Fertiliserinputs• Nutrientbudgets• Soilmoisturemonitoringandirrigationinputs• Actionsrequired• Identifiedareasofresponsibility• Recordsofmonitoringofoutcomes
Keepthisinformationinasafelocation.Youmaywishtokeepthisinformationtogetherinaspecificnutrientmanagementfolder,alongsidesupportinginformation.
Farmmanagementsoftwareiswidelyavailable.
ThenutrientmanagementchecklistThechecklistwilltakeyouthroughtheissuesthatasanarablefarmeryouneedtoconsider.
Thechecklistisaseriesofquestionsrelatingtodifferenttopics,eachwithaYES/NOanswer.Notalltopicsmayberelevanttoyou.Therearetechnicalnotesforeachquestionwithmoredetailsexplainingwhyitisimportanttogetitright.
Theredboxesonthechecklistalertyoutowhereactionmayberequiredbutyouneedtocomeupwiththebestsolutionforyourfarm.
Themostimportantpart-makingithappen!Anutrientmanagementplanisnotjustaboutcollectingbitsofpaper.Itinvolvesactiononthoseissuesidentifiedinthechecklist.
• Settimeframestoimplementsolutionsforissuesidentifiedinthe checklistandfollowitthrough.• Communicatetheactionstoyourstaffandcontractors.• Reviseyourplanannuallytomonitorprogressandidentifyany newissuesthatneedaddressing.
Usethenutrientmanagementchecklisttoidentifyissuesandthinkaboutsolutions.
Anutrientmanagementplanneedsactionsfortheissuesidentifiedinthechecklist.
Introduction 7Introduction
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3.ResourcesThissectionprovidesinformationonresources.Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheinformationisascompleteaspossible,itmaynotincludeallsuppliersofresourcesandthecontactdetailsmaychangefromthedateofpublishing.
Resources
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NutrientmanagementtoolsCodeofPracticeforNutrientManagement,FertResearch,(providesBestManagementPracticechecklistforNandP,aswellasatemplateforproducingaNutrientManagementPlan).www.fertresearch.co.nz
Fertmarkisanindependentlyassessedfertiliserqualityassuranceprogramme.www.fertqual.co.nz
Spreadmarkcertifiedoperators.www.fertqual.co.nz
DEFRA,8thEditionoftheFertiliserManual.www.defra.gov.uk/rb209
AmaizeNForecastingsoftwareforyieldandNfertiliserofmaizesilageandgraincrops.www.far.org.nz
WheatCalculatorForecastingsoftwareforyield,Nfertiliserandirrigationofwheatcrops.www.far.org.nz
IrrigationmanagementtoolsAquatrac™irrigationcalculator.
FarmmappingFrontiermapping www.frontiermapping.co.nzWMCfarmmapping www.farmmap.co.nzCRSfarmmapping www.crssoftware.co.nzFarmworks www.farmworkspfs.co.nzFarmmappingNZ www.farmmapping.co.nzRMTech www.rmtech.co.nzMosaicmapping www.mosaicmap.co.nzRuralmapping www.ruralmapping.co.nzLandVision www.landvision.co.nzNZCentreforPrecisionAgriculture www.nzcpa.co.nz
SoilmappingLandVision www.landvision.co.nzNZCentreforPrecisionAgriculture www.nzcpa.co.nzAgriOptics www.agrioptics.co.nzWheresmycows www.wheresmycows.com
PublishedsoilmapsLandCareResearch www.mwpress.co.nzS-mapOnline www.smap.landcareresearch.co.nzRegionalCouncils
SoiltestingservicesAnalyticalResearchLaboratories www.ravensdown.co.nzHillLaboratories,Hamilton www.hill-labs.co.nzNZLabs,Hamilton www.nzlabs.co.nz
SoilmoisturemonitoringservicesandequipmentHydro-Services www.hydroservices.co.nzAgFirst www.agfirst.co.nzFruition www.fruition.net.nzWaterForce www.waterforce.co.nzWaterDynamics www.waterdynamics.co.nzAquaflex www.streatsahead.comFruitFedSupplies www.fruitfed.co.nz
RegionalanddistrictcouncilsYourlocalregionalordistrictcouncilisavaluablesourceofinformation.Checktheirwebsitesforspecificinformationabouttheirenvironmentalrulesforyourregion.Theyalsoprovideinformationabouttheservicesthatareavailableinyourregion.
NorthIslandNorthlandRegionalCouncil www.nrc.govt.nzAucklandCouncil www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nzWaikatoRegionalCouncil (EnvironmentWaikato) www.ew.govt.nzBayofPlentyRegionalCouncilwww.envbop.govt.nzGisborneDistrictCouncil www.gdc.govt.nzHawke’sBayRegionalCouncil www.hbrc.govt.nzManawatu-WanganuiRegionalCouncil(Horizons) www.horizons.govt.nzTaranakiRegionalCouncil www.trc.govt.nzGreaterWellingtonRegionalCouncil www.gw.govt.nz
SouthIslandCanterburyRegionalCouncil (EnvironmentCanterbury) www.ecan.govt.nzOtagoRegionalCouncil www.orc.govt.nzSouthlandRegionalCouncil (EnvironmentSouthland) www.es.govt.nzWestCoastRegionalCouncil www.wcrc.govt.nzMarlboroughDistrictCouncil www.marlborough.govt.nzTasmanDistrictCouncil www.tasman.govt.nzSelwynDistrictCouncil www.selwyn.govt.nz
DairyingandCleanStreamsAccordwww.mfe.govt.nz/issues/land/rural/dairying-accordDairyNZ www.dairynz.co.nzBeef&Lamb www.beeflambnz.comHortNZ www.hortnz.co.nzNZGAP www.newzealandgap.co.nz
NewZealandWaterEnvironmentResearchFoundationSustainableDrainageManagementwww.waternz.org.nz/documents/publications/books_guides/fieldguide_final.pdf
Resources 9
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4.Thenutrientmanagementchecklist• Propertymanagement
• Fertilisermanagement
• Soilmanagement
• Watermanagement
Thenutrientmanagementchecklist10 Thenutrientmanagementchecklist
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ThenutrientmanagementchecklistThischeck-listdoesnotcompriseafullfarmnutrientmanagementplan.
Ifyouarestartingout,usethechecklisttoworkthroughallthecomponentsofyourfarmsystemthatwillbeincludedinafullnutrientmanagementplan.Taketimetoconsideryouranswersandrefertothetechnicalnotesformoreinformation.Thechecklistwillenableyoutoquicklypin-pointareasormanagementpracticesonyourfarmthatcouldbeimproved.Useitasabuildingblocktoleadyoutoimprovedsustainability.Technicalnotesrelatingtoeachquestionareprovidedafterthetables.
Ifyouareemployingsomeoneelsetodevelopanutrientmanagementplan,usethischecklistforguidancewhenconsideringtheplantheyaredeveloping.
Thebuildingblocksforawhole-farmnutrientmanagementplanUsetheinformationinthecompletedchecklisttoidentifyareasthatneedattentiononyourfarm.
Developafullnutrientmanagementplanforyourfarmbyfollowingthesesteps.
Step3 Whole-farmnutrientmanagementplan developedandinaction. Staffandcontractorsonboard. Record-keepingsystemmaintained. Progressreviewedannually.
Step2 Consideryourremedialactions: Determinetheactivitiesthatwillbeinvolved,thetimeframe forcompletingthejobandthecostofdoingso. Developadetailedplanforthework. Documenttheannualactivitiesandthecosts.
Step1 Workthroughthechecklistbyyourselforwithyourconsultantoradvisor.Refertothe resourcepagefortoolstouseorpeoplewhocanprovideadvice.Manyofthesearefree. Usethechecklisttoprioritiseareasofwork. Thechecklistmightindicateseveralareasthatneedattention,considerthesize ofthejobandyourresources.
Thenutrientmanagementchecklist 11Thenutrientmanagementchecklist
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ThechecklistYourpersonalandbusinessgoalsdeterminehowyoumanagethefarm.
PROPERTYMANAGEMENT YES NO
1 Haveyouconsideredandsetproductionobjectivesforyourfarm?
2 Haveyouconsideredandsetenvironmentalobjectivesforyourfarm?
3 Haveyouconsideredandsetsocialobjectivesforyourbusiness?
4 Areyouawareofyourregionalcouncil’scurrentnutrientmanagementrequirements?
5 Areyouawareofyourindustryorcustomers’currentnutrientmanagementrequirements?
FARMRESOURCES YES NO
6Doyouhaveafarmmapwithdetailsoflandmanagementunits,soiltypesandsignificantenvironmentalareas?
7Doesyourmapshowwherethenutrienthot-spotsare?Theseinclude;silagepits,offalpits,farmdumps,feedpads,fertiliserstores,effluentponds,stockyards,stockcamps,stockwinteringareas,flatareasatthebottomofacatchmentandwashdownareas.
FertilisermanagementManageyourfertiliserinputstoachieveyouryieldobjectivesandminimiselossestotheenvironment.
FERTILISERMANAGEMENT YES NO
8Doyoufollowthebestmanagementpracticesfortransporting,storing,applyinganddisposingoffertilisersasrecommendedinFertresearch’sCodeofpracticefornutrientmanagementwww.fertresearch.org.nz?
9Doyouuseaqualifiedpersonwhousesanappropriatenutrientmanagementtooltoprepareyourfertiliserrecommendations?
10Doyouuseacropcalculatororpreviousresearchdatatodeterminefertiliserapplicationratesanddates?
11 Doyoufollowthefertiliserrecommendationswithrespecttorateandtiming?
12Doyourecordyourfertiliserinputs,includingtherateandproductusedandtheapplicationdate?
13 Doyouuseanutrientbudgettoassesscumulativenutrienteffectsonyourfarm?
14DoyoucalibrateyourfertiliserapplicationequipmentoruseaFertMarkcertifiedoperator?
15 Doyoumatchyournitrogenapplicationstotimesofrapidplantgrowth?
16Ifyouareinahighrainfallarea,doyousplityourNfertiliserapplicationstoreduceleaching?
17 Doyouapplylessthan30kgN/haduringwinter(MaytoJuly)?
FERTILISERMANAGEMENT-Organicsourcescomposts/manures/effluents YES NO
18 Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofanyorganicfertilisersbeforeapplication?
19 Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofeffluentbeforeapplication?
20Ifyouapplyeffluent,isitataratethatmeetsyourlocalregionalcouncilrequirementsfornutrientconcentrations?
Thenutrientmanagementchecklist12 Thenutrientmanagementchecklist
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SoilmanagementAstrategytoimproveoratleastmaintainyoursoilqualitywillimproveyourprofitability.
SOILTESTING YES NO
21 Doyoucollectsoiltestsfromeachofyourlandmanagementunitsevery1-3years?
22 Doyouhavedocumentedsoilsamplingprotocols(samplingpatterns)?
23 Doyoukeepcopiesofallyoursoiltests?
24 DoyouusesoilmineralNteststodeterminefertiliserNinputs?
25 IsyoursoilOlsenP(0-15cm)lessthan40µg/ml?
26DoyouregularlymonitorandrecordchangesinyoursoilstructurebyusingasoilassessmenttoolsuchasVSA?
SOILMANAGEMENT YES NO
27Dominimiserun-offanderosionbymatchingyourcultivationstothesoiltypeandlandcontour?
28Doyoucultivateandplantacrossthecontourofslopinggroundratherthanupanddownit?
29 Doyouhavedrainagesystemsforyourheavy-mediumsoils?
30Doyoursoilandirrigationmanagementsystemspreventpondingduringrainandirrigation?
31 Doyouusereducedtillagetechniqueswheneverpossible?
32 Doyoumanagegrazingstocktopreventpuggingandcompaction?
33 Doyouremovecompactedorpuggedareasbeforeestablishingthenextcrop?
34 Doyouusecovercrops,whenrestingpaddocksinyourcroprotations?
Thenutrientmanagementchecklist 13Thenutrientmanagementchecklist
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WatermanagementPreventingnutrientsandsedimentsgettingintowater.
IRRIGATION YES NO
35 Doyouirrigate?(Iftheanswerisno,proceedtoquestion41)
36Doyouhaveresourceconsenttoirrigateandifso,doyoumeettherequirementsofthisconsent?
37 Haveyouinstalledwatermeters?
38 Isyourirrigationmanagedtoimproveefficiencyandreducerun-off?
39Doyouusetoolssuchassoilmoisturemonitoringorsoilwaterbudgetstoscheduleirrigation?
40 Doesthewaterinfiltrateyoursoilswithoutanysurfaceponding?
41 Doyouapplylessthan50mmofirrigationinanyoneapplication?
42 Doyouregularlycheckforandrepairleaksandworncomponentsinyoursystem?
WATERWAYS YES NO
43Doyouleavea2mmarginbetweenyourcultivationandanywaterway(excludesephemeralstreams)?
44 Doyouhaveriparianplantingsonwaterwayboundaries?
45Doyouhavedrainsand/orusecontouringtoeliminatethemovementofwateracrossyourpaddocksduringheavyrain?
46Doyouhavegrassfiltrationstripsaroundthepaddockboundariesandatwater-wayedgestocatchsediments?
47 Doyoupreventfertiliserenteringwaterwaysduringspreading?
48 Areyourstreamanddrainbanksfreefromerosion?
49 Isthewaterfromsub-surfacedrainspreventedfromflowingdirectlyintoawaterways?
50 Arestockexcludedfromwaterways?
DefinitionAwater-wayiscommonlydefinedasbeing“widerthanastride,anddeeperthanaredbandgumboot.”
Ephemeralstreams(intermittentwaterwayswhichmayonlybepresentinwinter)areexcluded.Note:Someregionalcouncilshavespecific‘legal’definitionswhichapplytotheirregulations.Alwayschecktherequirementsofyourregionalcouncil.
Oncethechecklisthasbeencompleted:Checkoutthenumberofquestionsthatyouhaveanswered“no”to.Thesewillbetheareasthatneedremedialactiononyourfarm.
Effectiveremedialactionneedstoinclude:• Detailsofwhatneedstobechanged• Anactionplandetailingwhatisgoingtobedone, withthecostsandtime-frameconsidered.
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5.Technicalnotestoaccompanyyourchecklist• Propertymanagementobjectives
• Farmresources
• Fertilisermanagement
• Soilmanagement
• Preventingnutrientsandsedimentsfromgettingintowater
• Waterways
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Propertymanagementobjectives1.Haveyouconsideredandsetproductionobjectivesforyourfarm?TheproductionobjectivessetbyyouforyourcropsinkgDM/haorT/hadeterminethelevelofinputs,bothnutrientandwater,thatwillberequiredtomeettheyielddemand.Thesemayalsobereferredtoasproductivitytargets.
2.Haveyouconsideredandsetenvironmentalobjectivesforyourfarm?Theenvironmentalobjectivesforthefarmprovideaframeworkfortheenvironmentalplanningforyourfarm.Thismightincludedevelopment,conservationorremediationofenvironmentalareasonyourfarm.Examplesofenvironmentalareasareareasofnativebushandwetlands.Beef&LambLandandEnvironmentPlanningareanexampleofenvironmentalplanning.(www.beeflambnz.com/farm/tools-resources/land-and-environment-planning-toolkit).
3.Haveyouconsideredandsetsocialobjectivesforyourbusiness?Socialobjectivesdeterminethelevelofwell-beingofyourself,yourfamilyandyourstaff.Thesemayincludesuchthingsas:• Exposuretorisk• Education• Retirementandsuccessionplanning• Stafftrainingandeducation• Time-outfromthebusiness
4.Areyouawareofyourregionalcouncil’scurrentnutrientmanagementrequirements?Currentinformationaboutyourresponsibilitiesasalandmanagerisavailablefromyourlocaldistrictorregionalcouncil.Itisimportantthatyouknowthedetailsofyourregionalplanthatspecificallyrelatetoyourbusiness.
Forexample,ifyouarefarmingintheWaikatoandareapplyingmorethan60kgN/ha/year,youmusthaveanutrientmanagementplan.HorizonsRegionalCouncilrequiresfarmerstopreparenutrientbudgets.Otherregionalcouncilsarereviewingtheirnutrientmanagementrequirements,itisimportanttokeepuptodatewithyourcouncil’sregionalrequirements.
5.Areyouawareofyourindustryorcustomers’currentnutrientmanagementrequirements?Someofyourcustomersmighthavespecificrequirementsaroundnutrientmanagement.Iftheirrequirementsaren’tmet,youmayfindthattheywillnotacceptyourproduct.IndustryexamplesoftheseincludeNZGAP,theSilverFernFarmsfarmassuranceprogrammesandtheDairyingandCleanStreamsAccord.
Farmresources6.Doyouhaveafarmmapwithdetailsoflandmanagementunits,soiltypesandsignificantenvironmentalareas?
7.Doesyourmapshowwherenutrienthot-spotsare?Theseinclude;silagepits,offalpits,farmdumps,feedpads,fertiliserstores,effluentponds,stockyards,stockcamps,stockwinteringareas,flatareasatthebottomofacatchmentandwashdownareas.
Thefarmmapshouldincludelandmanagementunits,soiltypes,paddockboundaries,farmtracks,buildings,sensitiveareasandnutrienthotspots.• Landmanagementunitsareparcelsofthefarmthat
aresimilarinsoiltype,contour,managementetc.Managementunitsmaybeindividualpaddocksorgroupsofpaddocks.
• Soils-Thesoilnameislessimportantthanthepropertiesofthesoil,suchasitstexture(sand,silt,clay,peat),drainagecharacteristics(poorlydrained,freedraining),andthepotentialrootingdepth(depthtostones,watertable,ironpanetc).Yourregionalcouncilshouldhavecopiesofsoilmapsforyourregion.Youcangetagoodideaofthedifferencesinsoiltypeonyourfarmbydiggingaseriesofsoilpits,toatleastthedepthoftherootingzone.Tactileexaminationofthesoilswilldetermineiftheyaresands,siltsorclays.Problemswithdrainagemaybeseenasblue-greybandsintheprofile.Regular,recordedvisualsoilassessments(VSA)providevaluabledataaboutchangesinyoursoil’squality.Electro-magnetic(EM)surveyscantellyouaboutpaddockscalevariationinsoilproperties;thisisastartingpointforvariablemanagementfornutrientsandirrigation.EMmappingisaprocessthatmapstherelativeconductivityofthesoilsinyourpaddock.Soilpropertiesthatinfluenceconductivityinclude;soiltexture,soilmoisture,cationexchangecapacity,bulkdensityandsalinity.Thereisalinkbetweenthesoil’sconductivityanditswaterholdingcapacity.
• Environmentallysensitiveareasincludingretiredareas,steepslopes,wetlands,nativebush,andwaterways(streams,drains,ponds,lakes).
• Nutrienthotspotsincludeoffalpits,farmdumps,effluentponds(currentandhistoric),silagestacks,firesites,wash-downareasandareaswherewaterponds.
• Areaswherefarmeffluentsareregularlyapplied.
Rubbishandoffalholesareasourceofnutrients,bacteriaandothercontaminantswhichcanleachintowaterwaysandgroundwater.Appropriateplacementanddepthoffarmdumpsandoffalpitsisimportanttominimisenutrientsgettingintowaterbodies.It’sprobablynotpracticaltomoveexistingdumpsoroffalholes,butyoushouldcarefullyconsiderpotentialenvironmentaleffectswheninstallingnewones.Checkyourregionalcouncilregulationsandrequirements.
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ManycompaniesprovidefarmmappingservicesoryoucoulduseGoogleMapsorGoogleEarthtodevelopyourownplan.
Fertilisermanagement8.Doyoufollowthebestmanagementpracticesfortransporting,storinganddisposingoffertilisersasrecommendedinFertresearch’sCodeofpracticefornutrientmanagement(www.fertresearch.org.nz)Fertilisershouldbestoredoutoftheweather,preferablyonapalletandonaconcretefloortomaintainitsqualityandtopreventnutrientlosses.Donotstorefertilisersandfueltogether-theycanbeavolatilemix!
The‘CodeofPracticeforNutrientManagement’hasmoreinformationonfertiliserstorage,useandapplication.
9.Doyouuseaqualifiedpersonwhousesanappropriatenutrientmanagementtooltoprepareyourfertiliserrecommendations?
10.Doyouuseacropcalculatororpreviousresearchdatatodeterminefertiliserapplicationratesanddates?Theinterpretationofsoiltestresultsinrelationtocropdemandmustconsiderfactorssuchas;location,soiltype,sowingtime,cropspeciesandcultivar,andplantpopulation.Environmentaleffectsmustbeconsideredalongsidethecropresponse.
Therearemanyconsultantswhocanpreparefertiliserrecommendationsforyou.ItisrecommendedthatyouchooseaccreditedadvisorswhohavecompletedtheIntermediateandAdvancedshortcourseson“SustainableNutrientManagementinNewZealandAgriculture”,whichfocusonnutrientmanagementforthebesteconomicandenvironmentaloutcomes.
ComputerbaseddecisionsupporttoolssuchastheWheatCalculatorandAmaizeNhavebeendesignedspecificallyforwheatandmaize.Theyusesoil,weatherandsoiltestinformationtopredicttheNfertiliserrequirementsforthecrop,andpredictyieldandharvestdate.
Regardlessofwhopreparesyourfertiliserrecommendationandnutrientmanagementplan,makesureyoukeepacopyofit.
11.Doyoufollowthefertiliserrecommendationswithrespecttorateandtiming?Theremaybeverygoodreasonstodeviatefromyourfertiliserrecommendations.Seasonalconditionsorfertiliserpricesmightcauseyoutoreconsideryourrequirements.Whateverthereasonforthechange,makesureyourecorditandwhatyouractualapplicationswere.
12.Doyourecordyourfertiliserinputs,includingtherateandproductusedandtheapplicationdate?Keepingthisinformationwillhelpyouinterpretchangesinsoilnutrientstatusandcompilenutrientbudgets.Forallfertiliserapplicationsensurethatyourecord:• Thecalibrationdetailsofyourapplication equipment.• Ifusingacontractor,who,andiftheyare FertMarkcertified.• Thetypeoffertiliserandtherateapplied.• Percentageofnitrogen,phosphorus,potassium andothernutrientsinthefertiliser(fertilisernames andformulationscanchange).• Where,whenandhowitwasapplied.Ifthe spreadercanprovideanapplicationmap,keepit asrecord.Yourcontractorcansupplyyouwith applicationmaps.
PhotocourtesyofEllesmereTransportCoLtd
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Don’trelyonyourfertilisersuppliertodothis.Theycanonlytellyouthetotalfertiliserthey’vesupplied,notwhereorhowmuchhasbeenapplied.
13.Doyouhaveanutrientbudgettoassesscumulativenutrienteffectsonyourfarm?Anutrientbudgetdescribesandquantifiesallthenutrientinputs(e.g.fertilisers)andoutputs(e.g.cropremovalandNleaching).NutrientbudgetsareoftenbestpreparedusingcomputerbasedtoolssuchastheWheatCalculator,AmaizeNandOVERSEER®nutrientbudgets.OVERSEER®hasmodulesforpastoralfarms,fruitcropsandarableandvegetablecrops.Itworksretrospectively,i.e.thenutrientbudgetreferstothecropthathasbeenrecentlyharvested.
Youcandevelopyourownsimplenutrientbudgetforsomecropsbyworkingoutthequantityofnutrientsthatwillberemovedasgrain,seedorforageandthequantityofnutrientsneededtomatchthisremovalandanynormallossesorinefficienciesofthecroppingsystem.
PrintouttheNutrientBudgetreportforinclusioninyournutrientmanagementplan.
14.DoyoucalibrateyourfertiliserapplicationequipmentoruseaSpreadmarkcertifiedoperator?Ifyouaredoingyourownfertiliserapplication,calibrateyourspreader,drilland/orside-dresserregularlytoensuretheapplicationrateiscorrect.Checkthatyourapplicationpatterniseven.Calibrationinvolvescheckingthatthespreaderisdeliveringtherightweightorvolumeoffertilisertoaknownarea.
Ifusingacontractor,checkthattheyareSpreadmarkcertified.Spreadmarkaccreditedoperatorshaveindependentlytestedmachinery,auditedproceduresandtraineddrivers.SpreadmarkisaschemerunbytheNewZealandFertiliserQualityCouncil.
Precisionspreading,usingGPSandGISsystems,hasenabledcommercialfertiliserspreaders(groundandaerial)toachieveahighdegreeoffertiliserspreadingaccuracy.Thistechnologyenablesspreaderstocoverpreciseareaswithminimaloverlaporgapsbetweenspreadingrunsandtoachieveaccuratebuffersbetweentargetandnon-targetareas.Manyspreadershaveheadlandcontroltoensureevenspreadingacrossthewholepaddock.
15.Doyoumatchyournitrogenapplicationstotimesofrapidplantgrowth?Ifnitrogeninputsexceedtheuptakebythecrop,thereisariskthattherewillbelosses,eitherthroughleachingafterrainorbyvolatilisation.Toavoidthis,matchtheapplicationstotheperiodsofmostrapidgrowthinthecropandavoidtimeswhenthesoilsarecoldandwetorverydry.
Incropssuchaswheat,maize,ryegrassandoilseedrape,thereisverygoodscientificdataonhownitrogenisutilisedtomaximiseyield,relativetothegrowthstagesoftheplant.ThisinformationisbuiltintotheWheatCalculatorandAmaizeN,orisavailableinFAR’scroppingstrategydocumentsandArableUpdates;www.far.org.nz.
16.Ifyouareinahighrainfallarea,doyousplitNfertiliserapplications?Leachingisdrivenbydrainagefromhighrainfalleventsorirrigation.Checkweatherforecastsandavoidapplicationifheavyrainseemslikely.Lightsoiltypessuchassandsandsilts,orshallowsoilsoverstonesarepronetorapiddrainageandnitrogenlossesthroughleaching.Splitapplicationstomatchcropdemandmaybeaneffectivenutrientmanagementstrategyonthesesoils.
17.Doyouapplylessthan30kgN/haduringwinter(MaytoJuly)?Winterisoftenwhendrainageandleachingriskisgreatest;thereismorerain,lessevaporationand
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reducedcropuptake.Soiltemperaturesmayalsobetoocoolforanyplantuptake.Don’tapplyfertiliserswhenthesoiltemperatureislessthan4oC.Takecarewithresidualnitrogenandnitrogenapplicationsoverthisperiod.Lateautumnapplicationsthatmatchplantuptakearemoreeffectivethanwinterapplications.
18.Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofanyorganicfertilisersbeforeapplication?
19.Doyoutestandrecordthenutrientcontentofeffluentbeforeapplication?Justlikemineralfertilisers,materialssuchaschickenmanure,dairyeffluentorcompostwillcontainnutrients.Ifasked,suppliersshouldprovideacopyofthenutrientcontent.Iftheycan’tsupplythis,collectasampleyourselfforanalysis.
Togetarepresentativesamplefortesting,take10-12samplesfromtheheaporpondandmixthemtogether.Takeasub-samplefromthemixturefortesting.Ifsamplingfromtheeffluentpond,agitatetheeffluentbeforesampling.Thiswillproduceaslurrywithamorerepresentativesampleoftheeffluentnutrients.Ifsamplingfromafeedpadstoragefacilitywheretheyardisscraped,itmaybemoreappropriatetoprovideacompositesampletakenoveranextendedperiodoftimetogiveaveragevalues.
Calculateanappropriateapplicationrate.Beawarethatthenutrientlevelsineffluentareveryvariable,sothetestresultsareonlyaroughestimate.
Mostsoiltestinglabswillbeabletotestyourorganicfertilisersandmanyhavecustomkitsforeffluentsampling.
20.Doesyoureffluentapplicationratemeetyourlocalregionalcouncilrequirements?Checkwithyourlocalcounciltofindoutwhatthelocalrulesforeffluentapplicationsare.Measuretheapplicationratebyputtingoutcontainersduringtheapplicationandmeasuringthedepth.Multiplythevolumeappliedbythenutrientcontentoftheeffluenttodeterminethetotalnutrientapplication.
Theeasiestwaytodothisisputatleastfivecleanice-creamcontainersinthefieldtocollectproductduringapplication.Thiswillprovideyouwitharepresentativesampleaswellasgiveanindicationoftheapplicationrate.
Soilmanagement21.Doyoucollectsoiltestsfromeachofyourlandmanagementunitsevery1-3years?Itisimportanttomeasurethenutrientlevelsinyoursoilsthroughsoiltestingonaregularbasis.Yoursoiltestresultsprovideactualmeasurementofnutrientlevelsinyoursoils;these,withyourcropyields,provideyouwithevidenceabouthowwellyournutrientmanagementplanisworking.
Nutrientpredictionandbudgetingtoolsusethenutrientlevelsinyoursoils,toworkouthowmuch
fertiliserisneededtoreachtheproductiontargetsforyourcropswithminimallosses.Takesoiltestsbeforeyouplantfornutrientanalysis.FARfundedresearchhasshownthatthemostcosteffectiveapproachistosampleeachofyourlandmanagementunitsonanannualbasis.
22.Doyouhavedocumentedsoilsamplingprotocols(samplingpatterns)?Soilcanbequitevariable,evenoverashortdistance.Thewaythesoilsamplesarecollectedisimportantasithasanimpactonthetestresults.Tominimisevariabilityinsoiltests,collectthesoilsamplesatthesamedepth,usingthesamesamplingpattern,atthesametimeeachyear.
Thestandardsoilsamplingpatternisextremelyimportant.YoucanuseGPStomapyoursamplingpattern,butdiagonaltransectsbetweenmarkedfencepostscanbejustaseffective.Whenestablishingyoursamplingpattern,avoidgateways,hotspotsandotherabnormalareasinthepaddock.Theseshouldbemarkedonyourfarmmap!
Theequipmentrequiredis:a15cmcorerforbasicsoiltestsand/oranaugerfordeepmineralNtests(60cmdepth)plusabucketformixingthesamplesforacompositesub-sample,samplebagsthatseal,andlabels-useawater-resistantpenforlabelling.Samplesshouldbestoredinachillybinwithicetokeepthemcool.Ifyouareunabletotransportthemtothelabonthesameday,storetheminthefreezer.
Theremaybeahighturnoveroffertilisercompanyreps,whocommonlyundertakesoilsamplesonbehalfofgrowers,soyoushouldkeepacopyofthesamplingprotocolandmakesureeveryoneusesit.Youcanalsousethesamesamplingpatterntocollectherbagesamples.
23.Doyoukeepcopiesofallyoursoiltests?Regularsoiltestsarevaluablefortrackinglongtermchangesinsoilfertilitytherebyallowingyoutomakegooddecisionsaroundcapitaldressingsoflime,phosphorusandpotassiumetc.Mostfertilisercompanieswillkeepcopiesoftheresultsforyou,butit’sagoodideatokeepyourownasaback-up.
Partofaneffectivefarmmanagementplanincludesarecordkeepingsystem.Thismustbeeasyforallstafftoaccessanduseandhasaprovisionforsummaryreporting.
24.DoyouusesoilmineralNteststodeterminefertiliserNinputs?Nitrogenisthenutrientmostlikelytolimitcropyields,andthenutrientmostcommonlyappliedasfertiliser.Nitrogenalsohasthegreatestenvironmentalrisk,socaremustbetakentousetherightamount.TheWheatCalculatorandAmaizeNbothusesoilmineralNresultstodeterminefertiliserNinputs.ThisisalsocalledtheDeepNtest.
Becausemaizeandcerealsaredeeprooting,thedeeperwecancollectthesoilsamples,themore
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accurateourfertiliserrecommendationwillbe.CurrentlytherecommendationistotestforsoilmineralNto60cm,exceptindryregionsorshallowsoils,whereshallowersamplesareacceptable.
Aftercollection,thesamplesshouldbechilledimmediatelyandsubmittedtothesoillabassoonaspossible.Forautumnsownwheat,werecommendthesamplesarecollectedinlatewinter/earlyspringafterthewinterrains,andformaize,samplethreetofourweeksaftersowing(collectfromthemidrowtoavoidthefertiliserappliedatplanting).FurtherguidelinesforDeepNtestingareprovidedwiththeWheatCalculatorandAmaizeN,bothofwhichareavailablefromFAR.
25.IsyoursoilOlsenP(0-15cm)lessthan40µg/ml?TheOlsenPtestestimatesthelevelofplantavailableinorganicPinthesoil.ItcangivevariableresultsdependingonsoilcharacteristicssuchaspHandlevelsofsoilorganicmatter.ItdoesnotassesstheorganiccomponentofPinthesoil.
Cerealsandmaizedonotrequirelargeamountsofphosphorus.Forexample,maizeplantscontainlessthan0.2%phosphorus.Exceedingtheoptimumsoilfertilityrangedoesnotmakeeconomicsense.Mostphosphoruscontaminationoffreshwatercomesfromsoilsedimentsinrunoff.Thehighlevelsofphosphorusstimulateplantgrowthinthewaterandmayleadtotoxicalgaeblooms.HighsoilOlsenPlevelsmakenosenseeconomicallyorenvironmentally.
26.DoyouregularlymonitorandrecordchangesinyoursoilstructurebyusingasoilassessmenttoolsuchasVSA?Environmentalandeconomicsustainabilityofcroppingandpastoralfarmscanbegreatlyinfluencedbysoilquality.Thevisualsoilassessmentmethod(VSA)provideslandmanagerswithasimpletooltoassessandmonitorsoilquality.
VSAisbasedonthevisual,qualitativescoringofkeybio-physicalindicatorsofsoilquality,andincorporatedonaneasytousescorecard.Thesoilindicatorsincludeanassessmentoftexture,porosity,colourandthepresenceofsoilmottles.Thesoilindicatorsaresupportedbyplantperformanceindicatorsthatlinksoilconditiontocropproduction.Theindicatorsareunderpinnedbyextensiveresearchandarelinkedtoeconomicperformance.
ThevalueofVSAcomesfromrepeatassessmentsovertime,aschangestosoilscanbeslow.Keeparecordofyourassessmentforreference.Theserecordsarevaluableformonitoringimprovementstosoilsbroughtaboutbyachangeinthefarmmanagementsystems,orcapitalinvestmente.g.reducingtillageanddrainage.
VSAprovidesaneffectiveandimmediatewaytoassesssoilqualityquicklyandcheaplyinthefield.
InformationaboutVSAcanbeaccessedat:www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/soil/vsaandyourlocalregionalcouncil.
27.Doyouminimiserun-offanderosionbymatchingyourcultivationstothesoiltypeandlandcontour?Soilcaneitherbelostgraduallythroughwindandwatererosionorrapidlyduringmajorstormevents.Cultivationpracticessuchasstripandnotillagepreservethesoilstructureandreducethelikelihoodoferosion.Matchyourcultivationtothesoiltype;forexample,ifyoufarmonlight,wind-erodiblesoils,reduceyourcultivationintensitytopreventtopsoilbeinglostbywindandwateraction.
28.Doyoucultivateandplantacrossthecontourofslopinggroundratherthanupanddownit?Cultivateandplantalongthecontourorataslightangletoitratherthandirectlydowntheslope.Leavegrassfilterstripsacrosssteepslopestoslowwater
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flowandhelpdepositsedimentsbeforetheygetintowaterways.Contourcultivationprovidesbenefitsinlowrainfallareasbyslowingrun-offandincreasingabsorptionintothesoil.
Sedimenttrapsatthebaseofslopescanbeusedtocontainrun-offandpreventoff-siteimpacts.Howevertheyrequireregularmaintenanceanderodedsoilmustberemovedandspreadbackontotheland.
29.Doyouhavedrainagesystemsforyourheavy-mediumsoils?Ineffectivedrainageinheavysoilscancausewater-loggingandlossofsoilstructure.Anaerobicconditionsalsoexacerbatenitrousoxideemissions.
Signsofineffectivedrainageinclude:• Ponding.• Slowdryingwithsoilmottlingorange/greycolours.• Quickreturntoawaterloggedstate.• Patchesofpoorcropgrowth–plantsmayhave yellowleaves,indicatingnitrogendeficiency.• Restrictedrooting.• Increasedpestanddiseasedamage.
Poorlydrained,waterloggedsoilsaremorelikelytobecomecompacted.Thebestremediationisthroughdrainageandsecondarytreatmentssuchassub-soiling.Sub-soilersshatterandcrackcompactlayersimprovingdrainage.Themosteffectivetimetodothisiswhenthesoilisdrying.
30.Doyoursoilmanagementsystemsmaintainthesoilstructuretopreventpondingduringrainandirrigation?Pondingoccurswhenexcesswaterflowstolowlying,poordrainingpartsofthepaddock.Itisanindicationthattherainorwaterapplicationratefromtheirrigator,inmm/hr,isgreaterthantheabilityofthesoiltoabsorbit(infiltrationrate).Pondinghasadetrimentaleffectoncrop,thesoilbecomesanaerobicandrootsdie.Run-offfrompondedareascarriessoilsedimentsandnutrientsintowaterways,withnegativeimpactsforwaterquality.
31.Doyouusereducedtillagetechniqueswheneverpossible?Reducedtillagehasanumberofeconomicandenvironmentalbenefits.Thebenefitstothesoilincludelesscompaction,bettertrafficabilityandimprovedresiliencetoextremeweatherimpacts,suchasdroughtandheavyrainevents.Lesstimeonthetractorforcultivationequatestoeconomicgainsthroughimprovedmachineryandlabourutilisationanddirectsavingsfromreduceddieselusage.
Otherbenefitstothefarmsystemarereducedfallowtimesandtheutilisationofcropresiduesforweedmanagement.Farmersalsoneedtobeawareofpotentialnegatives,suchasincreasedpressurefromestablishmentpestsandthebuild-upofgrassweedsovertime.RefertoFARFocus-NonInversionAgronomy:GuidelinesforsuccessfulreducedtillageandFARFocus5-GrasstoCrop.
32.Doyoumanageanygrazingstocktopreventpuggingandcompaction?Keepstockoffwetsoilswhereverpossible.Intensivegrazingcancausepugging,compactionandlossofsoilquality.Thiswillaffectdrainageandincreaserun-offlosses.Thesoilwillneedmoreworktogetagoodseedbedforyournextcrop.Overtimeexcessivecultivationreducessoilstructureandsoilorganicmatter.
Damagecanbeminimisedbyconsideringwhenthelivestockwillbeontheland.Grazewetterpaddocksinthedrierpartoftheseasonoruselighterstockonwetpaddocks.Maintaingoodpasturecoverandmovestockbeforetheystripitdowntotheroots.Removeheavystocktoafeedpadforpartoftheday.RefertoDairyNZ’sfactsheetformoreinformation:www.dairynz.co.nz/file/fileid/37481.
33.Doyouremovecompactedorpuggedareasbeforeestablishingthenextcrop?Puggedsoilshave:• Poordrainage.• Poorplantgrowth.• Higherfertiliserrequirements.• Moretopsoilandcontaminantrun-offtowaterways.
Beforebeginninganyremediation,digaseriesofholesdownto0.5m,tolookforsurfacecrustingandcompactedlayersthroughtheprofile.Choosethecorrectremediationoptionbasedonthelevelofdamagetoyoursoil.Cultivationandaerationoperationsaeratethesoiltoadepthof150-200mm.Sub-soilingshattersdeepersubsoillayerstodepthsof200-350mmenablingdeeperrootgrowth.
34.Doyouusecovercropswhenrestingpaddocksinyourcroprotations?Wintergrassorcovercropshavemanyadvantages.Theycanprovideasourceofwinterfeedforstock.Theyreducesoilerosionandmopupanyexcessnutrientstherebyreducingleachinglossestotheenvironment.Deeprootingcovercropslikebrassicascanimprovecompactiondamageandincreasethesoil’spermeability.Legumesfixatmosphericnitrogenwhichbecomesavailableoncethecovercropisworkedin.
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Preventingnutrientsandsedimentsfromgettingintowater36.Doyouhavearesource-consenttoirrigateandifso,doyoumeettherequirementsofthisconsent?Checkwithyourlocalcounciltofindoutwhattheirirrigationconsentrulesare.
Theconsentrequirementswilldifferbetweenregionalcouncils,andpossiblybetweencatchmentswithinaregion.Itisyourresponsibilitytobefamiliarwiththerulesforyourregion.
Councilsneedtoknowwhenandhowmuchwaterisbeingusedtobeabletomanagetheresourceinafairandefficientway.Theycloselymonitorsurfaceandgroundwaterquantitiesandwillpenaliseanybreachesoftheconsentconditions.
37.Haveyouinstalledwatermeters?TheGovernmenthasmadewatermeteringmandatoryforallwaterusersextractingover5l/s.
Thedeadlineforcompliancedependsonyourallowedrateoftake:• 20litrespersecondormore: nolaterthan10November2012.• 10litrespersecondupto20litrespersecond: nolaterthan10November2014.• 5litrespersecondupto10litrespersecond: nolaterthan10November2016.
38.Isyourirrigationmanagedtooptimiseefficiencyandreducerun-off?Irrigationneedstobeefficientandeffectiveotherwisethecoststofarmbusinessandtheenvironmentarehigh.Under-wateringcausesreducedcropyieldsandover-wateringisawasteofwaterandmaycausenutrientstobelostthroughleachingandrunoff.Thisrequiresgoodsystemdesign,installation,operationandmaintenance.
Goodirrigationpracticesensurethereislittlechanceofdrainageandtheplantgrowthisoptimised.Optimisingplantgrowthoptimisesnutrientuptakeandtheriskofnutrientleachingisreduced.
Whenbuyinganewirrigator,ensurethatthecommissioningofthesystemincludesanirrigationaudittoensuretheprescribedstandardsarebeingmet.
Anirrigationauditidentifieshowefficientlyanirrigationsystemisworkingbycheckinghowwellthesystemisperformingandhowwellitisbeingmanaged.Performancecheckscovertheuniformityofthewaterdistributionandwillconsiderfiltrationandpumpefficiency.Managementcheckscovertheapplicationvolumesandtimingandmayincludeverifyingthattheregulatoryrequirementsarebeingmet.
39.Doyouusetoolssuchassoilmoisturemonitoring,orsoilwaterbudgetstoscheduleirrigation?Determiningwhenandhowmuchirrigationtoapplyisimportantforanumberofreasons.• Droughtstresscostsyield:Yieldandmoneyis savedwhenirrigationisscheduledbeforethecrop isincriticalmoisturedeficit.• Irrigationiscostly:Irrigatingbeforeitisnecessary, orapplyingtoomuchwater,orwaterinthewrong place,isawasteofmoney.• Irrigationmaycauseleaching:Nitrogenandother watersolublenutrientsmaybeleachedoutofthe rootzoneiftoomuchwaterisapplied.Deep rootingcerealsandmaizehaveabetter opportunitytousenutrientsfromdepththan shallowrootedcrops,suchaspastureandclover.
Giventheinvestmentinirrigationandthepotentialcostsofgettingitwrong,itisworthinvestingintoolsforschedulingirrigation.Therearemanyoptions,includingsoilmoisturebudgets,soilmoisturemonitoringtools,softwaresuchastheWheatCalculatorandAquaTRAC,oracomprehensiveprofessionalsoilmoisturemonitoringandschedulingservice(seeresources).
40.Doesthewaterinfiltrateyoursoils,withoutleavinganysurfaceponding?Compactedandpoorlydrainedsoilshaveareducedabilitytosoakupwater.Ifirrigatedwaterisappliedtooquicklyforabsorption,itwillrun-offandcollectinthelowpointsofthepaddock,causingponding.Heavyrainbehavesinthesameway.Pondingisanindicatorofdrainageproblemswhichmaybeduetocompactionorchangesinthesoiltypewithinthepaddock.Pondingmayoccursomedistancefromtheproblem.Identifyandremediatetheproblemormatchthewaterapplicationratetotheareaswiththeslowestinfiltration.
41.Doyouapplylessthan50mmofirrigationinanyoneapplication?Thesoil’scapacitytostorewaterisaffectedbyitsporosity,textureandstructure.Stonyandsandysoilsandthosewithloworganicmatterhavepoorwaterstorage.Oncethesoilreachesfieldcapacity,itcanholdnomoreanddrainageoccurs.Understandingthewater-holdingcapacityofyoursoilsisimportantformanagingirrigation.
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Irrigationvolumeshouldbetargetedtosupplywateronlytotherootzone,withnodrainagebelowit.Theamountofsoilwateravailabletoplantsisgovernedbythedepthofsoilthattherootscanexploreandthenatureofthesoilmaterial.Over-irrigatingwithlargevolumesofwater,sothereisdrainagebelowtherootzone,isawasteofwaterandmoney.
Deepsoilmoisturemonitoring(e.g.byneutronprobe)willshowyouhowfartheirrigationwaterismovinginthesoilprofileandthedepthitisbeingtakenupfrom.
42.Doyouregularlycheckfor,andrepairleaksandworncomponentsinyoursystem?Leakscancomefromsplitpipesorpoorconnections.Waterleakingfromthesystemisacostandmaycauseponding,erosion,runoffandleaching.
Wornnozzlesarelikeleakypipes;theydecreasethesystem’sefficiencyandincreasetheenergydemands.
Anirrigationauditwillcheckfortheseproblems.
Aminorimprovementinirrigationefficiencycanresultinmajorincreasesinavailablewaterandthecostbenefitofirrigation.
Waterways43.Doyouleavea2mmarginbetweenyourcultivationandanywaterway(excludesephemeralstreams)?Waterwaysaresensitivetonutrientcontaminationfromsurfacerun-off.Atwometrebufferzone,preferablygrassed,reducestheriskofsedimentsenteringwaterways.Steeperslopeswithfasterrun-offwillneedwiderbufferzones.Manyregionalplansstipulatetherequirementforbufferzonesforsedimentcontrol.
44.Doyouhaveriparianplantingsonwaterwayboundaries?Riparianbufferzonesarevegetatedareasalongtheedgesofwaterbodies.Theyactasbufferstoprotectsurfacewatersfromcontaminationfromrun-offandprotectthestreambanksfromerosion.Riparianplantsprovidehabitatsforavarietyofbirdsandinsects.Caremustbetakeninselectingspeciesforplantingtoensuretheywillnotincreasetheriskoffloodingorbehostsforpestsanddiseasesofyourcrops.
Yourregionalcouncilhasinformationaboutriparianmanagement.
45.Doyouhavedrainsand/orusecontouringtoeliminatethemovementofwateracrossyourpaddocksduringheavyrain?
46.Doyouhavegrassfiltrationstripsaroundthepaddockboundariesandatwaterwayedgestocatchsediments?Surfacerun-offfromyourpaddocksindicatesthattherainfallorirrigationrateisfasterthantheabsorptionrateofthesoil.Whenthishappensthewaterponds
onthesoilsurfaceandgravitydetermineswhereitendsup.Surfacewaterflowingtowater-wayscarriessedimentandnutrientswithit.Topsoilerosionisahighcosttoproductivityandsedimentsareharmfultofreshwaterecosystems.
Identifywheresurfacerunoffislikelytooccurandtakestepstominimiseitbyleavinggrassbuffersaroundthewater-waystoslowsurfacewatermovementandtrapsediments.
Contourdrainsrunacrossslopestobreakrun-offflowdowntheslope.
TheFranklinSustainabilityProject–soilanddrainagemanagementguidehasgoodinformationaboutminimisingsedimentlosses.
www.arc.govt.nz/albany/fms/main/Documents/Environment/Rural%20care/Franklin%20Sustainability%20Project.pdf.
47.Isfertiliserpreventedfromenteringwaterduringspreading?Fertilisermustnotbeapplieddirectlyintotowaterwaysunderanycircumstances.Aclearbufferzoneisrequiredbetweentheapplicationzoneandthewater.
Itishighrisktoapplyfertiliserwithinbufferzones.Surfacerun-offfrompaddockscanflowintowater-wayscausingwaterqualityissues.Useheadlandmanagementsystemsonyourfertiliserspreaderwhenspreadingnearwaterways.
48.Areyourstreamanddrainbanksfreefromerosion?Theadverseeffectsoferosiontowaterwayscanbeminimisedbystabilisingstreambanks.Soillostfromerodingbanksincreasesthesedimentloadofthewatermakingitmurky.Nutrientssuchasphosphorusandnitrogenstimulatealgalgrowthandmaybetoxictofishandhumans.Unstablewaterwayedgescanbeprotectedbyplantingriparianstripswithsuitablevegetationand/orfencingtoexcludestock.
49.Isthewaterfromsub-surfacedrainspreventedfromflowingdirectlyintoawaterways?Sub-surfacedrainsreducerun-offandsoilpuggingbutcantransportnutrientsandmicro-organismsdirectlyintowaterways.Wherepossibledesignyoursub-surfacedrainstodischargeintowetlandsorfilterstrips,notdirectlyintoopenwater-ways.
50.Arestockexcludedfromwaterways?Ifstockhaveaccesstostreamanddrainbankstheywillcausedamageanderosion.Iftheyhaveaccesstothewatertheywilladdlargeamountsoffaecalpollution.Fencedwaterwayspreventstockaccessandreducestocklosses.
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6.AppendicesFactsheets• Drainage
• SoilWater
• IrrigationAudits
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DrainageGooddrainagesystemsquicklyremoveexcesssurfaceandsub-surfacewaterfromthepaddock.Aneffectivedrainagesystemwillremoveexcesssoilwaterwithin24hoursoftherainfallevent.Agoodtimetoassesstheneedsonyourfarmisafteraheavyraineventwhenproblemswithpondingandrun-offareeasytosee.
Thereareanumberofoptionsavailabletoimprovedrainage,including:• Re-shapingthelayoutorcontourofthepaddock.• Improvingsurfacedrainagetoremovesurface waterquicklyfromcroppedareas.• Installingsubsurfacedrainagetoremovewater fromsaturatedsoilsbydownwardflow.
PlanningAfarmdrainagesystemrequirescarefulplanningtooptimisethecapitalexpenditure.Asuccessfulschemewillconsidersthesefactors:1. Whatiscausingthewater-loggingproblem?Isit fromsurfaceorsubsurfacewaterorboth?Where isthewatercomingfrom?2. Whatisthefrequencyanddurationofwater loggingandhowbigistheaffectedarea?Is remediationapriorityforon-goingprofitability?3. Istheresufficientoutfallavailable?Waterneedsto bedrainedawaytosomewhereelse,preferablyby gravitationalflow,otherwiseitbecomesacostly exerciseinvolvingpumps.Aretheoutfalldrains wellmaintainedanddeepenoughtoremove waterquickly?4. Whatarethelikelybenefits?Willthecostofthe drainageschemebereturnedthroughincreased productivityandhowlongwillittake?5. Whichareasshouldbedrainedfirst?Efficiency andcostsavingscanbegainedbyconsideringthe drainageplanforthewholefarmandworkingout whichpartshouldbetackledfirst.6. Whattypeofdrainagesystemisrequired?7. DoIneedassistancetodevelopaplan?
Reshaping
Precision levelling using high accuracy GPS.
Otheroptionsincludeensuringsurfacecontourallowseffectivewatermovement.Precisionlandlevellingisusefulinremovingdepressionsinpaddockswherepondingisaproblem.Bundedheadlandscanpreventwaterflowingintothecropandcultivationmethodssuchasfurrowdikingreducerun-offbyslowingthewatermovementalongwheeltracks.
SurfacedrainsSurfacedrainsareusefulforinterceptingrun-offfromneighbouringhigherareasanddrainingsurfacewateroffthelandquickly.Theyalsocollectwaterfromsub-surfacedrains.Surfacedrainsincludeditches,drainsandgrassedwaterways.Theymustberegularlymaintainedtokeepthemflowingandmaybeahazardformachineryandanimals.Caremustbetakentopreventbankerosionanddamagefromstockaccess.
Subsurfacedrains
Installing sub-surface drainage with gravel envelope.
Subsurfacedrainsremoveexcesswaterfromthesoilprofilevianetworksofperforatedplastictubes,(tile-drains)orunlinedchannels(mole-drains),installedbelowthesoilsurface.Waterdrainsintothetubesorchannelsandflowsawaytoasurfacedrain.
Moledrainscanonlybemadeinheavysoilswithaclaysub-soil.Longlastingchannelsneedaclaycontentof30-35%.Theyaremadebypullingaripperbladeormoleploughthroughthesubsoilandrelyonthesoilstructuretosupportandkeepthechannelopen.Ideallythesoilshouldbefreeofstonesatthemoledraindepth.
Useanexperienceddrainagecontractortoassistwiththedevelopmentofyourdrainageplan.
EnvironmentalconcernsDrainagehasbothpositiveandnegativeeffectsonwaterquality.Ingeneral,landwithgoodsub-surfacedrainagehaslesssurfacerun-off,erosion,andphosphorusloss,thanlandthathasnodrainageimprovementsoronlysurfacedrainage.Howeversub-surfacedrainageisasignificantrouteforwatersolublenutrientslikenitratestoreachfreshwater.
Wetlandsareanimportantpartofadrainagesystem.Theyhavearoleinregulatingwaterflowandmaintainingwaterquality,aswellasprovidinghabitatforwater-basedwildlife.
Constructedwetlandsareasimple,practicaltoolfarmerscanusetointercepttiledrainagewatertoreducenutrientlosses.
NIWA’spublication;NewZealandGuidelinesforConstructedWetlandTreatmentofTileDrainage,guidesfarmersonhowtodevelopaneffectivewetlandontheirfarmandprovidesguidanceonwetlandplanting,weedcontrolandmaintenance.
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SoilwaterSoilholdswaterlikeasponge.Itsoaksitupuntilitcanholdnomore,thenitdrains.Theamountthatcanbeheldisthewater-holdingcapacityofthatsoilandisrelatedtosoiltextureandstructure.Coarsetexturedsoilshavelowwaterstorageandfastdrainage.Siltsandclaysretainmorewateranddrainmoreslowly.
Well-structuredsoilshavenetworksofinter-connectingporeswhichenablewatertoinfiltrateanddraineasily.Compactedsoilshavefewerspacesforthewaterandtheflowratethroughitisslower.Thesesoilstendtopondwhenitrainsbecausetheirinfiltrationispoor.Asoil’sinfiltrationrateistherateatwhichitisabletoabsorbrainfallorirrigation.
Thesoil’swaterholdingcapacityWaterisheldinthesoilinthemacroandmicroporesbetweenthesoilparticles.Whenalltheporesarefullthesoilissaturated.Ifmorewaterisaddeditdrainsoutundertheforceofgravity.Thisisdrainage.
Afteradayortwo,themacroporesempty.Microporesareabletoholdwateragainstgravitysoarestillfull.AtthisstagethesoilissaidtobeatFieldCapacity.
Waterisheldintheporesbycapillaryaction,thesmallerthepore,themoretightlyitisheld.
WateravailabilityforthecropPlantsaccesseasy-to-getwaterfirst,butasthesoildries,capillaryforcesbecometoostrongfortheplant.ThisistermedStressPoint,beyondwhichgrowthisslowedandyieldislost.Plantswillsurvivebutbecomeincreasinglystressed.
Atacertainlevel,plantscangetnomorewaterandbecomepermanentlywilted.ThisisthePermanentWiltingPoint.
TheamountofwaterinasoilthatsupportsmaximumplantgrowthisknownasReadilyAvailableWater.ItisthedifferencebetweenFieldCapacityandtheStressPoint.
Efficientirrigationschedulingbalancesthecropdemandforwaterwiththesoilsupply.Thecropgetsenoughwatertoreachitsyieldpotentialandthereisnowaste.
EfficientandeffectiveirrigationkeepswaterintherootzonebetweenFieldCapacityandStressPoint.Plantgrowthismaximisedandtheriskofrun-offandleachingarereduced.
Applythewaterattherightrateandintherightplace.Applicationrateshouldnotexceedtheinfiltrationrateoftheslowestsoilsinthepaddock.Ifitdoes,run-offandpondingwilloccur.Timingofirrigationisalsoimportant.Soilmoisturemonitoringkeepstrackoftheavailablewaterandthewatershouldbeappliedbeforethecrop’sstresspointisreached.
Wilted maize.
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IrrigationauditsAnirrigationauditorassessesandreportsontheperformanceofthesystem.
Twomainaspectsofefficiencyareconsidered:1. Theperformanceofthesystem,includingan assessmentofthedistributionuniformityof thewaterandchecksonpumpandfiltration performance.2. Themanagementofthesystem,focussingonthe timinganddepthofirrigationsandthesystem’s maintenance.
Theauditreportprovidesrecommendationsforimprovementstotheefficiencyofthesystembasedontheauditfindings.Newsystemsshouldbeauditedbeforecommissioningtocheckthatthecontractspecificationshavebeenmet.
Distributionuniformity(DU)calculateshowevenlywaterisappliedtothepaddockduringanirrigationevent.Itisexpressedasa%,wherethehigherthevalue,themoreeventhedistribution.AhighDUdependsfirstlyonthesystemdesignandinstallation.Badlydesignedsystemsdoapoorjobateachrunandcostirrigatorsmoney.Thesecondconsiderationishowwellthesystemperforms.TheDUwilldecreaseifthereblockagesandleaks,andifapplicationratesexceedthesoil’sabilitytoabsorbthewater.
TheauditmeasuresforDUcalculationare:• Pressurechecks,acrossthesystem.• Waterdeliveryacrossthesystem,viacatch cans,forflowrateand/orspraypatterns.• Nozzleandemitterperformance.• Visualobservationofleaks,runoff,soiltype, andothersystemspecificproblems.
EnergyefficiencyEnergyEfficiencyisimportantbecauseofthedirectcostofenergylosses.Theauditorwillcheckpumps,motors,pressureregulatorsandfilters.Itisimportantthatpumpsandmotorsaretherightsizeforthesystem.Iftheyaretoobigtheywilloperateoutsidetheirefficiencyrangeandpoweriswasted.Ifbothareinefficienttheeffectismultipliedandthelossescanbelarge.Manysystemshavetoomanypressureregulators.Dirtyandblockedfiltersandnozzlesreduceefficiencyandcostmoney.
IrrigationschedulingIrrigationschedulingisanimportantaspectofirrigationmanagement,applyingenoughwaterwhenit’sneededensuresgoodcropyieldsandreduceswaste.Theauditorwillcheckhowtheirrigationsarebeingscheduled.Schedulingdependsonknowing;• Thesoil’savailablemoisturestatus.• Howfasttheavailablewaterisbeingused,through cropuptakeandbyevapotranspiration.• Howmuchwaterisbeingeffectivelyapplied.
WateruseefficiencyWaterUseEfficiencyorapplicationefficiency(AE)istheratiobetweentheamountofirrigationwatereffectivelyusedbythecropandtheamountthatwasapplied(lessthechangeinsoilmoisturestorage).Itisaffectedbyboththedistributionuniformityandirrigationscheduling.
Over-wateringisthemostlikelycauseofwaterlossinanyirrigationsystem,soschedulingisimportantforhighefficiencies.
Theirrigationauditcanassessaone-offapplicationforefficiency,buttrackingefficiencyovertheseasonrequiresgoodrecord-keeping.Criticalinformationincludesirrigationeventdates,durations,watervolumeapplied,andrainfallfigures.
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AcknowledgementsFundersFARwouldliketoacknowledgefundingsupportfromtheMPISustainableFarmingFund(MPISFF)forthispublication.
AuthorsDianaMathers,FAR.AndreaPearson,FAR.
ReviewersGregSneath,Fertresearch.
GraphicdesignMelissaHillmer,BNSDesignandPrint.
PhotographsPaulJohnstoneandDirkWallace,PlantandFoodResearch.DanBloomer,LandWISEInc.
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A D D I N G V A L U E T O T H E B U S I N E S S O F A R A B L E F A R M I N G ™
Foundation for Arable Research PO Box 23133 Templeton, Christchurch 8445 New Zealand Phone: +64 3 345 5783 Fax: +64 3 341 7061 Email: [email protected] Web: www.far.org.nz
FAR FocusISSN 1175-5504
Nutrient Management Plans ISBN 978-0-9876673-0-4
®