Every farm, orchard, and rural property deals with animal waste at some point: carcasses, offal, soft tissue and other organic residues that would otherwise be buried, burned, or trucked away at cost. For many landowners, this material is seen purely as a disposal problem. But according to Dr Gordon Rajendram, a growing body of research points to a better answer: composting.

Far from being a waste-management afterthought, properly composted animal waste becomes a stable, nutrient-rich soil amendment capable of genuinely reducing a farm's reliance on bought-in fertiliser.

The science behind this is well established. Sustained thermophilic temperatures above 55°C for several consecutive days denature residual protein and destroy the great majority of pathogens, a finding confirmed by peer-reviewed composting trials published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and elsewhere. What goes in as raw animal tissue comes out as a biologically stable, humus-like product, with nothing recognisable as "waste" remaining.

Field research backs this up. In Hungary, composted animal processing waste applied at 20 to 50 tonnes per hectare improved yield and quality in maize, mustard and triticale crops, with benefits still measurable three to four years later. In India, recycled animal waste has even out-performed synthetic diammonium phosphate fertiliser in tomato field trials, supplying nitrogen as effectively as a manufactured product.

There is also a practical volume benefit. Composting typically reduces the initial mass of mixed waste and bulking agent by around 30 percent through moisture loss and organic breakdown, meaning significantly less material is left sitting on-site awaiting disposal at any given time.

The result is a genuine win-win: less waste accumulation, lower disposal costs, and a valuable soil conditioner supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter. Applied at agronomic nitrogen rates and to appropriate land, composted animal waste can replace or supplement synthetic fertiliser inputs.

For farmers, processors and rural advisors alike, the message is clear: composting animal waste is not a compromise or a stopgap. When done correctly, with proper temperature management and appropriate carbon-rich bulking agents, it is good agronomy, and a practical, evidence-based pathway that turns a disposal challenge into a productive on-farm resource.

For more information, please contact:

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466077

rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact Media PA

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

027 458 7724

Finance:.   NZ dollar was steady to slightly firmer at the end of the week but remains a very weak currency.   Brent Crude is falling The current price is $72.13/barrel & we should see some further drops in fuel prices at the pumps.

Wool:  The wool prices continue to firm with growing optimism in the coarse wools.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules remain strong.  All meat schedules remain firm as demand continues to grow for red meats internationally.

Dairy Prices.  The Pulse Auction is indicating a further easing in prices for the g/DT auction this coming week. Increased volumes will be offered as the new season production is on offer.  The weakening dollar will continue to underpin the current dairy prices.

If you are buying in calves to rear it is important to review the costs of rearing.  Milk powder prices are up, meal costs have increased and the calf prices vary from $150 to $300 per head.  A sale contract at a specific weight is desirable, but the gambler in-you might want to take a punt on the weaner auction market.  What weight is best to target for sale?  100 kg, 105 kg or 115 kg’s  All part of the rearing plan.

Quote:             see the cartoon below!!

Need Help. If at any time you just want to talk & need someone to talk to, just call - Male Support Services (Waikato) 0800-677-289,  or Rural Support Trust 0800-787-245.  Crisis TXT – HELP (4357).  A shared problem can be a problem solved!!

[May be an image of ‎text that says '‎IT SAYS 'HAPPY THE HELL IS A MATARIKI υ2? BUGGERED IF I KNOW MATE IM STLL TRYING TO WORK ٥۶ WHAT A AOTEAROA IS? BLOODY HONKEY LANGUAGE لسلمرف.‎'‎] Remember that the Matariki star grouping is the Pleiades Star Group referred to ancient writings and the Subaru Grouping in Japan – check out the Subaru car badge.  Pleiades is 444 light-years away from earth!!

Jims Rant

The word Trillion has taken on a new meaning now that Elon Musk has become the first Trillionaire, a number with so many zero’s we struggle to comprehend.   The climate change nonsense continues to interest me and we hear from the nutters that the Oceans are warming and rising because I drive a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.  I have, at last, found some facts (hope they are true) that shows that the ocean contains a colossal 1,500,000,000,000,000,000,000 litres of water! To heat the ocean, even by a small amount, it takes a staggering amount of energy. To heat it by a mere 1˚C, for example, an astonishing 6,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 joules of energy are required.  To put this amount of energy in perspective - if we all turned off all our appliances and went and lived in caves, and then devoted every coal, nuclear, gas, hydro, wind and solar power plant in the world to just heating the ocean, it would take a breathtaking 32,000 years just to heat the ocean by that 1°C.  With information like this you might win a quiz on the Chase or Mastermind, but the reality is the climate alarmists will not provide you with any information like this.  They forget to tell you that there are over 1 million active volcanoes under the sea spewing CO2 into the ocean and heating it at the same time.  And we all know from simple school science projects that as water warms, it expands.  During the last week we were advised by the TVNZ propaganda machine that part of South Dunedin is now deemed to be uninsurable as the area can flood and the floods are exacerbated by the rising sea-level rise areas, a disaster waiting to happen!!.  They also directed us to other parts of the country where flooding and sea level rises would occur.  If you look behind the scene you will see that most of the flooding is the result of poor infrastructure management and undersized infrastructure that was never designed to support an increase in housing and large areas under impervious land covers.  It is time again to push for something that is real and get out of the Paris Accord and dump net-zero.  The more facts we can all compile the better and they need to be put before the authorities and the climate zealots.

Get yourself a copy of a great book - “Green Murder – a life sentence of net zero with no parole”.  Author - Dr Ian Plimer and perhaps the best-known Australian geologist.

Dr Ian Plimer has published a series of Three easy to read books for ankle-biters, teenagers and adults.

Also:  Global Warming, a counter-blaste to the man-made global warming hypothesis - Dr Kelvin Duncan (Tross press)

Take 1.25hrs to watch the Video on YouTube -  “Climate the Movie”   produced by Nigel Durkin!!

Contact AgSafe NZ Ltd - Phone 027-2872886.  We can prepare your Work Safe manual and hazard management plan at a very competitive price.  We can arrange drug tests and farm maps for your property. 

Calf rearing is important for your future production – Check out the Bell-Booth “Queen of Calves” rearing plan.  There is research data from Massey University measuring the benefits.  They are clearly documented and the long-term benefits are more production per cow and longevity of the animals!!  Research has shown calves can be weaned approximately 22 days earlier when Queen of Calves is used.

When we think about what drives crop growth, we usually focus on the visible factors. Fertiliser, rainfall, sunlight, cultivation practices, and crop genetics all play their part. Yet beneath every productive paddock lies a workforce that often goes unnoticed: free-living microorganisms.

Unlike the well-known nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with legumes, free-living microorganisms operate independently in the soil. They do not rely on a host plant to survive, yet they perform many of the biological processes that underpin healthy and productive farming systems.

These microscopic organisms are responsible for breaking down organic matter, recycling nutrients, improving soil structure, and supporting root development. Some are even capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, converting it into forms that plants can use.

For many years, scientists believed that free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria were heavily dependent on plant root exudates as their primary energy source. This helped explain why biological nitrogen fixation has traditionally been most effective in legume-based systems. However, emerging research is beginning to challenge that assumption.

Recent studies have explored whether free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria can form beneficial relationships with other soil microorganisms rather than relying solely on plants. In particular, researchers have investigated interactions between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and photosynthetic bacteria that are capable of producing their own carbon-based energy through photosynthesis.

The results suggest that these microorganisms may be capable of working together in ways that improve nitrogen availability to crops. Rather than operating as isolated species, they appear to function as part of a larger biological network where one organism provides resources that support the activity of another.

For farmers, this highlights an important principle. Soil biology is rarely about a single organism. Productive soils are built upon complex communities of microbes interacting with one another and with plant roots. The strength of those relationships often determines how effectively nutrients are cycled and made available to crops.

As fertiliser costs continue to place pressure on farm budgets, interest in biological farming solutions is growing. While microorganisms will never replace sound nutrient management, they may help improve the efficiency of existing fertiliser programmes and support more resilient production systems.

The challenge now is to better understand how these microbial communities function under real farming conditions. Every soil contains billions of microorganisms, many of which remain poorly understood. Yet each new discovery reinforces the same message: healthy soils depend on healthy microbial populations.

The future of agriculture may not simply be about adding more nutrients. It may be about unlocking the potential of the vast community of free-living microorganisms already working beneath our feet.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466077

rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact Media PA

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

027 458 7724

Finance:. NZ dollar eased again over the week & remains a very weak currency. Brent Crude continues to vary daily & is currently $92.89/barrel with punters expecting the Straits of Hormuz to be opened permanently very soon.

Wool: The wool prices continue to firm with growing optimism in the coarse wool market. The recent sales saw good cross-bred wool lift 6% on the previous sale..

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules have firmed again for the coming week. The demand for red meat and protein are very strong with predictions that beef schedules will hit $10/kg.

Dairy Prices. The g/DT eased by 0.6% indicating a flat market. WMP fell2.3% to $US3706, SMP dropped 3% while AMF lifted 5.3%. There was a small volume sold – 14,364 tn. There are reports that if the Straits of Hormuz stay closed the farm costs could lift to $9/kg.

There are reports that the Australian wheat harvest will be down 50% due to Gulf crisis – factor that into the price of bread!! The major banks are releasing their prediction reports and the Gulf crisis features in them all as the continuation of the conflict will impact on diesel, petrol, plastics, fertiliser and international freight costs all pushing the cost of running a farm up. Spend wisely this week



Jim’s Weekly Rant:

I was at a meeting on Thursday morning where Minister Chris Penk spoke to us. He was unaware of the reset that the IPCC & UN have announced and referred to in last weeks rant. If they read the report there could have been $million saved from the re-prioritised ideology and available to help kick-start the economy. The budget was not the usual pre-election lolly-scramble and gone are days of sitting around the radio or TV listening to hear what incentives the farmers were given with special depreciation rates, special stock values as an incentive to invest or grow the business or the removal of a fuel tax. This years budget was more subtle with massive infrastructure spending that will provide employment in the medium term but benefit the export of agricultural products in the long term. The 4-laning of the highway from Karapiro to Piarere will be a major economic boost to the economy as transporters will operate more freely and have some massive fuel savings and lower repair bills. The improvement in the fuel resilience with the upgrades at Marsden Point is very welcome as we all experience the dumb decisions of the previous government exposing the country as a fuel-dependant economy. The investment of $400 million into upgrading highways will also have an economic benefit as safer roads will see less damage to vehicles and improve access around the country. Another $294 million is to be used to drive the changes in the Resource Management Act (RMA), but the changes need to be made with the knowledge that the IPCC settings have changed and is more than a tinkering with the existing Act. There is to be land purchased for a new hospital at Drury/Pokeno area that will service South Auckland and the Waikato and some rural police stations will be upgraded with the hope that some of the rural policing will improve. There is $477 million earmarked for upgrading the rail network and I am sure the $705 million capital for the railways does not include a rapid rail around the Waikato. Outside of the budget that government has made some significant changes with the most welcome change allowing only councillors voted to the council to vote on financial matters and the removal of the references to the Treaty of Waitangi from a lot of legislation and regulations. The changes to education have been well received as we look forward to children being able to read, write and do maths once again as these are fundamental to living in a modern society. The renewed school examination and testing system will encourage competition and betterment which we will all benefit from. Other initiatives have reduced the funding available for solar panels on Marae’s, removed the final years study fees payment, introduced a new banking levy that will eventually be charged back to us together with a number of cost savings through previous initiatives. Other recent government announcements that will cut compliance costs have been welcomed along with the proposal to restructure local and regional government, but there doesn’t seem to be plan and it will be left up to the individuals to work it out. And the long-awaited removal of voting rights for non-elected counsellors ensuring less delays and less interference is welcomed by everyone I have spoken with. Chris Hipkins and Chloe Swarbrick continue to fail as they have not produced any realistic alternative to get the country out of the current international crises that occurred on a failed economic policy of the Labour / Green government over the Covid era. Building new roads, hospitals, railways and housing will all generate work and income. It was a no-nonsense budget with no bribes, just some hard truths exposed and hopefully enough to get us all motivated to be part of making NZ great and prosperous again.

The King’s birthday honours were well accepted with Dame Susan Hassel’s honour being in recognition of the 1,000’s of young men she has educated through Hamilton Boys High. Many have become exceptional young men. Congratulations to Sir David Ellis, Geoff Maber, Keith Woolford and others from the agriculture sector, we are proud of you all and all you have done and do for the industry.

Contact AgSafe NZ Ltd - Phone 027-2872886. We can prepare your Work Safe manual and hazard management plan at a very competitive price. We can arrange drug tests and farm maps for your property.

 

Q: Why is liquid foliar fertiliser especially important as we head into colder months?

As soil temperatures drop, pasture growth slows. At around 5 to 6 degrees, grass can stop growing. The primary reason is reduced microbial activity. In warmer conditions, soil microbes convert nutrients into plant-available forms. In the cold, this slows significantly. Foliar fertiliser works differently. It delivers nutrients directly into the plant through the leaf, bypassing the soil. When applied, nutrients can enter the plant and roots within an hour, keeping growth systems active when soils are not.

Q: How does foliar feeding work?

Foliar fertiliser is applied to the leaf and absorbed directly into plant tissue. This allows rapid uptake and immediate use and growth. Farmers understand this. Herbicides such as Roundup are applied as foliar sprays to kill weeds quickly, the same principle applies here. Just as it’s possible to get herbicide into a plant rapidly using foliar to kill and eradicate plants quickly, you can just as effectively deliver nutrition for plant growth. Foliar is a more efficient pathway, especially in challenging conditions.

Q: What have trials shown about its effectiveness?

Trials in New Zealand, including Canterbury, show clear increases in pasture growth when foliar fertiliser is used in cooler conditions. International research supports this finding. Studies show yield increases of 15 to 19 percent under stress conditions, particularly when soil performance is limited. This has been demonstrated in the field with farmers seeing a response within days and maximised within 3 to 4 weeks. In addition, foliar application is more uniform and provides nutrition to plants evenly.

Q: How does New Zealand's foliar fertiliser use compare internationally?

Overseas, foliar fertiliser is no longer niche. It is standard practice across many farming systems, from broadacre crops like wheat and maize to intensive production. In high-performing systems, multiple foliar applications are used through the season to maximise results. In comparison, New Zealand systems still rely heavily on soil-applied fertiliser, often around 70 kilograms of urea (36 kg N) per hectare in a single application, with less focus on foliar strategies.

Q: Why is foliar more widely adopted overseas?

The main driver is nutrient use efficiency (NUE). Overseas farmers focus on maximising return from every unit of nutrient. Foliar fertiliser allows faster response to plant demand, quicker correction of deficiencies, and better performance when soil conditions are limiting. In many cases, farmers use half to a quarter of the usual fertiliser and still achieve the same response.

Q: Is foliar fertiliser a replacement for traditional fertiliser?

No. The most effective systems use both. Soil fertiliser builds soil foundation, while foliar fertiliser fine-tunes performance by filling in the gaps. It is about using the right tool at the right time.

Q: What is the key takeaway for farmers?

As soils cool and biology slows, relying on soil fertiliser alone limits potential. Foliar fertiliser provides a direct line into the plant when other conditions are not favourable. Consequently, for growth maintenance and improved efficiency, foliar feeding can be a game-changer.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466 077 | rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

Phillip Quay

MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

An escalation in global fertiliser prices due to the Iran war will force New Zealand farmers to rethink traditional input-heavy systems, according to one of New Zealand’s leading soil scientists, Dr Gordon Rajendram of Hamilton (pictured)

“The solution is a combination of using less fertiliser and also using better science to apply only what is truly needed,” Dr Rajendram said today.

A crucial starting point is soil and pasture testing. Dr Rajendram consistently emphasises that without accurate data, fertiliser programmes become guesswork.

“Comprehensive testing identifies nutrient deficiencies, soil pH, and retention capacity, allowing farmers to apply inputs precisely rather than broadly,” he says.

“This avoids over-application, which not only wastes money but can also lead to nutrient losses through leaching. In fact, testing is considered one of the most cost-effective steps in nutrient management, often representing a very small proportion of overall fertiliser spend while delivering significant savings,” Dr Rajendram said.

Beyond testing, there is growing evidence that many farms are applying more nutrients than required, particularly phosphate.

Dr Rajendram notes that some New Zealand soils can retain phosphate for several years, meaning annual applications are not always necessary. Shifting away from routine fertiliser programmes to a needs-based approach can significantly cut costs without impacting production.

“Nitrogen use is another area where efficiency gains can be substantial” he says.

“Rather than relying heavily on granular applications, more farmers are adopting targeted methods such as foliar spraying. This approach delivers nutrients directly to the plant, improving uptake and reducing the total amount required. Trials have shown that significantly lower nitrogen rates can achieve comparable pasture growth when applied in this way, highlighting a clear opportunity to reduce input costs.”

Soil condition itself also plays a major role. Maintaining optimal pH through liming improves nutrient availability and root development, meaning plants can access more of the nutrients already in the soil. Poor pH, on the other hand, limits growth and reduces fertiliser efficiency, effectively increasing the cost per unit of production.

While reducing synthetic inputs is important, Dr Rajendram also advocates for strengthening biological systems within the pasture. Clover remains a critical component, naturally fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and reducing reliance on purchased fertiliser. However, he stresses that clover should be part of a broader, balanced system that includes diverse pasture species and well-managed soils. Excessive nitrogen use can actually suppress clover’s ability to fix nitrogen, reinforcing the need for moderation and balance.

“Ultimately, the shift is about moving from a fertiliser-driven system to a soil-driven one,” Dr Rajendram said.

As Dr Rajendram states: “Farmers are increasingly recognising that they may not need as much fertiliser as once thought. By combining accurate testing, targeted application, improved soil management, and biological inputs like clover, farmers can reduce costs, maintain productivity, and build more resilient farming systems in the face of ongoing global price pressures.”

About Dr Gordon Rajendram:

With more than three decades of experience in soil fertility, Dr Rajendram’s approach centres on improving efficiency, reducing waste, and unlocking the natural potential already present in the soil.

For more information, please contact:

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466077

rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact Media PA

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

027 458 7724

Finance: The NZ dollar was slightly easier over the week which is good for the exporters but difficult for the importers and travellers especially when oil prices are high. Brent Crude has is fluctuation around $100 to $125/barrel & is currently $109.24.

Wool: The wool prices are firming. There is some optimism in the coarse wool market.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are steady. There is good grass cover across most of the country. The recent rain was needed allowing the flexibility to continue to finish the stock on the farms.

Dairy Prices. Dairy prices internationally are firm as demand for protein continues to strengthen. The dairy farmers remain optimistic that they will get +$10/kg for the 2025/26 season & are hopeful of a strong opening payout for next season.

The autumn fertiliser should be arranged and with increasing prices soil testing in sectors of the farm can save money. You can even take samples separating the back & the front of the paddocks. The cost of soil testing will pay for itself in fertiliser savings. It is important to get professional advice. The fertiliser reps are supported by professional science trained personnel.

Jim’s Weekly Rant:

My rant of the 21st March touched on the effect the Iranian War will have on fertiliser costs and supply. The cost of basic foods will increase over the next 12-months as shortages become common and the cost of production increases, the increases will be well beyond what we have experienced to date!!. Even the basics of milk and bread will not escape the increases. The Fertilizer Institute has independently estimated that exporters exposed directly or indirectly to the conflict in the Middle East account for nearly 49 percent of global urea exports, nearly 30 percent of global ammonia exports, and nearly half of global sulfur trade needed to make Super Phosphate. The Straits of Hormuz are just an energy chokepoint, but one of the most concentrated nutrient chokepoints in the global food system. The USA is only +/-60% self-sufficient in Urea and they are entering the time when the spring crops are being sown. Australia is supposed to be planting its winter wheat now and it imports its Urea just as we do. NZ relies on the Australian wheat for baking and some grains for stock foods. A shortage of wheat will be a shortage of bread and all baking products and an increase in cost. The current reports from Australia are recording an increase in the planting of nitrogen fixing crops such as lupins, peas, lentils, lucerne, peanuts and even clover in areas where wheat and barley were normally grown the lesser area in wheat and the lack of fertiliser will push the prices up when harvested. The current price of Urea in NZ is $1,075/tonne (Balance 26/3/2026) while at the same time the cost of Urea is being quoted in Australia at +$A1,500/tonne. We should expect the price in NZ to increase when we move to the spring planting season or even need Urea to grow our winter grasses. Sulphur is 11% of Super Phosphate and it will also be in short supply, but while the phosphate portion may be secure there will be a significant increase in the cost of most fertilizers that include Sulphur, and most do. We need to look at what a shortage of Urea might have on the Maize crops planted in October/November 2026 providing feed for the 2027/28 season – lower yields will lead to a reduction in milk production and that will follow reduced milk production from the Northern Hemisphere countries that are currently planting their spring crops to feed livestock over the winter of 2026 and into their 2027/28 season. The shortage now will have effects for the next 2 production seasons. Will a shortage of food reduce the production and will the lesser production then command higher prices to compensate the drop in production? The circular argument of supply verses costs of production and sustainable product prices will go on for ever and only time will answer it. My comments here are to encourage you all to think about the effect a lack of Urea and Sulphur might have on our economy and on our ability to earn over the next 2-season whether it is crop and grain production, milk, meat or fibre. It is also a call to encourage you all to think again about the dumbest of political policies – NET ZERO and encourage the government to look at again making our country self-sustainable in energy and fertilizers. The Urea plant was closed by Jacinda and her henchmen (ladies), companies have been blocked from mining the phosphate reserves on the Chatham Rise and we know there is plenty of oil around and on NZ. And added to the pain of lesser crop yields and animal performance the cost of diesel has increased exponentially right on our harvest time. Planting crops, harvesting crops and transporting livestock all have to be paid for and that also adds to the cost of production and if yields are reduced that will compound the increases in costs. The immediate future looks bleak for the country especially the wage and salary earners and the politicians who will be blamed for the increasing food costs!!!
 

New Zealand Soil Scientist

Global conflict is once again exposing just how vulnerable New Zealand farming systems are to international supply chains. Rising fuel prices, disrupted shipping routes, and instability in key fertiliser-producing regions are driving up the cost of transport and nitrogen fertilisers such as urea. These are costs farmers cannot control, yet they directly impact farm profitability.

We have been here before. The difference now is that we have better knowledge and proven systems that show we do not need to rely so heavily on imported nitrogen.

A Canterbury case study I was involved in clearly demonstrated this. A large-scale dairy operation reduced nitrogen inputs from 290–300 kg N/ha/year down to under 190 kg N/ha/year, while also cutting phosphate use from 45 kg/ha to 15 kg/ha annually. At the same time, pasture production still reached up to 19 tonnes of dry matter per hectare and milk production wasn’t compromised.

The key was not applying more fertiliser, but improving soil pH and soil biology, nutrient balance, and clover performance.

Clover is central to this discussion. It is not just another pasture species, it is a natural nitrogen factory. Research has shown white clover can fix anywhere from 20 kg to as much as 400 kg N/ha/year in grazed systems, but under ideal conditions, 250-350 kg consistently is possible and even higher. That nitrogen is effectively free, produced in the paddock, and available to drive pasture growth without the cost of urea.

At the same time, clover is one of the highest-quality feeds available. With protein levels of around 34 percent compared to approximately 19 percent in ryegrass, it delivers significantly more nutritional value to livestock. Higher energy, higher protein, and better mineral content, including calcium, all contribute to improved animal performance.

“One of the first things I look at is what the pasture looks like and how much white clover is in it.”

This translates directly into production. Research consistently shows higher liveweight gain and increased milk yield from cows grazing clover-rich pastures due to higher intake and better feed efficiency. Simply put, more clover means more milk.

However, excessive nitrogen fertiliser works against this system. Once nitrogen applications exceed around 200 kg N/ha/year, clover fixation declines sharply, and at very high rates it can stop altogether. Farmers then become locked into a cycle of dependency on purchased fertiliser, exactly the risk we are seeing play out today with global price volatility.

As I often say, “The more nitrogen you grow biologically through clover, the less you need to buy, and the more resilient your farming system becomes.”

The message is clear. In a world of rising costs and uncertainty, clover offers a proven pathway to reduce input costs, improve pasture quality, and lift milk production. It fixes the nitrogen problem naturally, efficiently, and economically.

Global events may be out of our control, but how we manage our soils and pastures is not.

“Any fool can grow rye glass but it takes a real farmer to grow clover.” – Emeritus Professor Walker

For more information, contact:
Dr Gordon Rajendram
� 021 466077
✉️ rajendram@xtra.co.nz
� www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Media Enquiries:
Media PA – Phillip
� 027 458 7724
✉️ phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Finance: The NZ dollar was slightly easy at the end of the week with a significant easing against the Australian dollar.  Brent Crude has lifted in response to the war and is currently $102.90, up from 84.50/barrel last week & $US71.06/barrel 2 weeks ago – pre war.

Wool:  The wool prices are firming.  There is some renewed optimism in the coarse wool market.

Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are mostly steady to easier  There is good grass cover across most of the country, but a dry March could change the need to off-load stock.

Dairy Prices.  Remain strong with the farmers being optimistic & expecting another $10 payout.  The Fonterra interim payout was increased $0.30 in March and most suppliers had forgotten to factor in the $7.75 payment to November 2025.  It was $0.30 for the December & January milk plus $0.05 for the June to November milk.

Jim’s Weekly Rant:

Have you ever been phoned to participate in a political survey then waited for the results in the following days?  If you have, you are probably like me and wonder how they made the assumptions from the questions asked.  It was a few years ago that I was part of a survey and questions were couched in such a way that the results could be interpreted in several ways to tell the country where we are heading.  The simple fact is that we all have only 9 months to decide who we want to govern us and we all need to start getting our thoughts sorted.  The latest poll slammed the right and gave the extreme left (the Greens) some massive support.  The slamming of the right culminated in TV 1’s Mikie Sherman hounding Chris Luxon through the airport about his poor showing and possible resignation.  The reality was, could you believe the support the Greens have, because I can’t?  It is time to start telling your friends and neighbours what sort of country you want.  I have talked with a number of politicians in the coalition and they all tell me that Luxon is a very good manager of the caucus and seem to accept that he is not a presidential type politician like Key & Ardern were (or tried to be). I want to live in a country that can pay its way in the world, controls its spending and shows compassion to its citizens.   I want to see the national debt reducing and our resilience against political shocks from around the world minimized.  I am hopeful that the racial tensions will disappear and there will be one understanding of the treaty of Waitangi and that immigration is better managed to grow the economy.  I want Net Zero dumped and the truth told about the changing climate so we can exit the Patis Agreement.  These dreams might require the country to access its own oil source, and there is plenty out there and to have an oil refinery that works.  To increase the natural gas supply from our own bores to generate electricity and make Urea fertilizer for the agricultural sector and Ad-Blue for the transport industry; to mine the massive phosphate reserves off the Chatham Islands; to increase the power generation capacity from geothermal bores and the use of our high-quality coal. I also wonder why all the iron sands are exported to Japan, when New Zealand could use them to produce more high-quality steel locally.  With a greater level of self-sufficiency in oil the bitumen quality will improve and roads will be better.  This all sounds like Muldoon’s “Think-Big” plans over again.  I want to see Agriculture get its value recognized and the countries income from tourism put in perspective.  Much of the tourism relies on the weakness of our dollar and all tourism activities are bundled while the various agricultural activities are separated into Dairy, Meat, Horticulture etc. Wouldn’t it be great if this small nation with an abundance of resources had a dollar that again was equal to the US dollar and not languishing around the 55 to 65 cents mark and our milk and meat prices remain where they are now. I challenge you all to put on paper what you want and try and work out what political party or parties will achieve your wishes, I can assure you the management of the economy by Chloe and Napkins will not get me anywhere near what I would like!!    

Contact AgSafe NZ Ltd - Phone 027-2872886.  We can prepare your Work Safe manual and hazard management plan at a very competitive price.  We can arrange drug tests and farm maps for your property. 

Part 3

In the previous article, I discussed the role of humates, biochar, plant roots and foliar strategies in slowing nitrogen movement through the soil. Building on that foundation, it is useful to look more closely at the research behind carbon-driven nitrogen retention and why these tools are gaining increasing attention within New Zealand farming systems.

Biochar has been investigated across a range of agronomic settings for its capacity to alter nitrogen dynamics. Its porous structure and surface charge characteristics increase sorption capacity, improve microbial habitat, and moderate nutrient movement through the soil profile. Controlled trials have demonstrated measurable impacts on nitrate mobility. For example, research published in Agronomy reported that incorporating biochar at approximately 10% by volume prevented detectable nitrogen leaching under experimental conditions, highlighting its capacity to physically and chemically retain nitrogen in the root zone rather than allowing downward migration.

Further work examining “bioactive carbon” amendments has reinforced this functional outcome. Studies evaluating nitrogen fertiliser efficiency and ecological sustainability observed improvements in nitrogen use efficiency alongside reductions in environmental losses. These findings align with the broader international literature and complement observations made in New Zealand soil science research, where carbon additions influence microbial immobilisation pathways and nitrogen cycling behaviour.

Humates, particularly in solid form, have also shown significant promise as a food source for microbes. Their complex organic structure supports cation exchange capacity, microbial activity, and nutrient buffering. Reported trial data indicate reductions of up to 60% in nitrate leaching when solid humate materials were integrated into fertiliser strategies. Such results are consistent with the theoretical framework long outlined by soil scientists, including Hedley and colleagues, where organic matter fractions regulate nutrient retention through chemical binding and biological mediation.

It is important to emphasise that these tools are not substitutes for sound nutrient management planning. They function best when integrated with appropriate fertiliser timing, application rates, and soil monitoring.

A brief note should also be made regarding pure sucrose. While not a retention agent in the structural sense, carbon supplementation through simple sugars can stimulate microbial uptake of available nitrogen, temporarily immobilising nitrate within microbial biomass. This mechanism has been explored within nitrogen cycling research and can contribute to reduced short-term losses when used strategically.

Taken together, the emerging research evidence indicates that carbon-based amendments can play a meaningful role in addressing nitrogen leakage pathways. For farmers facing increasing environmental accountability and regulatory pressure, these tools deserve consideration not as silver bullets, but as practical components within a broader nutrient stewardship strategy.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466 077 | rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

Phillip Quay

MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Finance: The NZ dollar was steady over the week with a slight easing against the Australian dollar. Brent Crude remains above $70/barrel and is currently $US71.06/barrel.
Wool: The wool prices are firming. There is some renewed optimism in the coarse wool market & it is almost worthwhile shearing the sheep!!
Beef, Sheep & Venison schedules: The meat schedules are mostly steady to easier but there are expectations that beef schedules will lift. The summer grass growth has allowed farmers to retain stock on the farmers – cull cows are being milked on.
Dairy Prices. Dairy prices remain strong the 2025 results have been promoted in the media with the dairy industry returning $27billion into the economy and that excludes the beef industry that comes out from the dairy industries surplus calves..
The 3-months’ notice to sharemilkers and contract milkers to end the current contracts is up today!! Notices of repair or tasks to complete the contracts also need to be given with the 3-months’ notice. It is also a useful time to check with employees as their intentions for the 2026/27 season. Some of the good staff are already taken!!
Jim’s Weekly Rant:
even at my age there are new experiences. At the end of November, a former neighbour died and then this week a close friend/client died and the experiences are worth some comment as an encouragement to get things in order in plenty of time and make sure someone knows what to do. The November death saw the former neighbour in-and-out of hospital a few times before he died. I had visited him and he seemed OK. I got a call from the police in late November to see if I knew “N” as they had me on some contact form they had that related to “N”. There had been no next-of-kin recorded at the hospital. They put me in contact with a church group where “N” had been attending church and then we jointly started the task of finding if he had any family, I did know of a niece somewhere in Hamilton. A few questions later and a contact to the niece that I knew opened up an interesting few days. He had one son and a granddaughter in her early 30’s that he was starting to get to know. He had two other adult children that had become his via the Maori-family adoption system – nothing formal, but the family knew who they were. There was no will, no instructions and no money. The church group stepped in and arranged the funeral and paid for everything to hopefully be reimbursed. Work & Income have a grant of up to $3,000 for people with minimal assets to pay funeral expenses. The son and granddaughter then appointed me and another from the church to be the executors of the estate. The Public Trust only take-over if there is no will and the estate is over $40,000 and this one was well shy of the $40,000. It has been an interesting journey working with banks, electricity companies and others. Westpac has been excellent and now everything is complete and we will advise the son and granddaughter of the assets and the use of the funds. It was an interesting lesson and a steep learning curve, but it can be done. He even had a joint account still open with his wife who died nearly 20-years ago just to add to the problems. We had to find a death certificate for her to close that account as well, and again Westpac was very helpful. The second death was this week and the funeral is today. “A” had every sorted with his lawyer, but not signed off until a week before he died. I sold his 2-units for him at the end of January and soon after the sale he went into palliative care and deteriorated over the next three weeks. I had many visits and liaised with the family arranging for his personal items to go to storage and the two units to be vacated. On the Tuesday the previous week I met the lawyer to get all the documents signed for Power of Attorney, the unit sales and the Wills. He had to learn to use his left hand to sign documents and convince the lawyer his memory was perfect as he had refused the lawyers assistants the week before. All was going well to settle the properties on 27th February, but because he died before settlement even though the documents were signed the settlement cannot be completed. The Lawyer now has to apply for an urgent issuing of probate. Powers of Attorney expire on death and everything goes into limbo. Bank accounts are frozen and while his cousin & I managed to access some funds to bring his son home from Australia and arrange the Tangi we now have no access to funds until after Probate is granted. The lessons learnt are perhaps simple, but are often difficult to deal with and are best done before the person has died or is terminally ill. It is hard asking a dying person if they want to be cremated or buried, or where their Will is and even who their family are. So please have these conversations with the family, have your Wills prepared with clear instructions and if the family is fractured ensure there is accessible documentation as to whom should be contacted. If the person is a sole operator it would be useful to $10,000 cash in a safe box that a responsible person knows about, as access to bank accounts will be blocked for a time and a funeral and cremation can easily cost in excess of $10,000 and that doesn’t include the “wake” that often starts with an afternoon tea, and then there are sundry expenses. Everyone finds death difficult to talk about, but not talking about the needs and wants can put unnecessary pressure on family and friends in those days immediately before and after the death.
 

In the previous article, I focused on management changes that can help reduce nitrate leaching. Alongside those strategies, soil and plant-based tools also play a critical role. Much of my work has centred on understanding how carbon, microbes and plant roots interact to keep nitrogen in the system for longer, rather than allowing it to be lost through leaching.

One option I often work with is the use of solid humates. Humates act primarily as a carbon source for soil microbes. When microbes have adequate carbon, they become more active and are able to temporarily hold nitrogen within their biomass. This slows down the conversion of nitrogen into nitrate and reduces the speed at which it moves through the soil profile. The key point is that nitrogen is still available to plants, but it is released more gradually.

Biochar works in a different but complementary way. Rather than acting mainly as a food source, biochar provides physical structure in the soil. It creates protected spaces where microbes can live and function more effectively, particularly under stress. At the same time, both biochar and humates have the ability to hold onto nutrients, including nitrogen, helping to keep them in the root zone instead of allowing them to leach. Used together, they support a more stable soil system where nitrogen is retained for longer periods.

Plant roots are another important part of the picture. Typical ryegrass roots extend to around 20 to 30 centimetres. There is a lot of nutrients lost during leaching, and in dollar terms, this could be as much as half or more of what you apply in a year as fertiliser. Deeper-rooting species can intercept nutrients that move further down the soil profile, capturing nitrogen before it is lost below the root zone. Encouraging deeper and more diverse root systems adds another layer of protection against nitrate leaching.

Foliar application is also a useful tool in this toolbox. By supplying nutrients directly to the plant through the leaf, foliar feeding can improve nutrient efficiency and reduce the reliance on soil-applied nitrogen. When plants are better balanced nutritionally, they use nitrogen more effectively, which means less excess nitrogen remains in the soil to be leached.

In Canterbury, I will soon be measuring the effectiveness of these systems more precisely using lysimeters to better understand where the nitrogen is going and how effectively it is being retained.

The key takeaway is that reducing nitrate leaching requires a toolbox, not a single solution. By combining management changes with carbon inputs, plant strategies and targeted foliar nutrition, farmers can significantly reduce losses while maintaining productive and economically viable systems.

Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram

021 466 077 | rajendram@xtra.co.nz

www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz

Contact MediaPA

Phillip Quay

MediaPA

027 458 7724

phillip@mediapa.co.nz