Ep 4 - Unlocking your soil structure means more milk in the vat!
In this episode of Where Inches Matter, host Allan Percy takes us deep into the hidden mechanics of soil health and why compacted soil could be holding your pasture back from their true potential! When soil is too tight, plant roots struggle to grow, bacteria can’t thrive, and critical nutrients become locked away. But with the right approach, you can transform your soil, boost pasture growth, and improve your herd’s health—all by focusing on what’s happening beneath the surface. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🌱 Why Soil Structure Matters – Healthy soil isn’t just about nutrients; it’s about structure. Compaction limits oxygen flow, stifles beneficial microbes, and reduces water absorption. Allan explains how poor soil structure leads to stunted plant growth and why loosening the soil can dramatically improve your farm’s productivity. 🛠 Simple Tools for Measuring Soil Health – Learn how farmers assess soil compaction using a penetrometer, a tool that measures pressure in the ground. If your soil is too compacted (above 300 psi), feeder roots can’t spread, and beneficial fungi can’t support plant growth. Allan also shares a simple visual test you can do right in the paddock to check for compaction. ⚡ How Calcium Works as a Soil "Detonator" – Discover how applying EnviroCal (a product similar to GSR) can help loosen soil structure. Allan explains how calcium, when applied correctly, triggers a chain reaction that breaks up soil compaction and allows nutrients to move freely. Timing is everything—this process works best in wet conditions because water helps conduct the necessary electrical reactions. 🐄 Real-Life Results: More Grass, Healthier Cows – Hear about actual farms that have improved their soil with this method. Two long-term treated farms saw pasture production increase to over 3.4 tons per hectare, compared to untreated farms that struggled to grow even 700 kg. The farmers also reported healthier cows, reduced lameness, and fewer metabolic issues—all thanks to better soil structure. 📊 Scientific Validation: Measuring Soil Health with Macroporosity – Ellen discusses research conducted with soil scientist Dr. Gordon Rajendra. Using macroporosity testing, they found a direct correlation between soil aeration and pasture growth. Farms with healthy, flocculated soil had macroporosity levels of 25-26%, while compacted soils were as low as 7%, leading to major reductions in grass production. Why This Matters for Your Farm If your cows aren’t thriving, if you’re battling poor pasture growth, or if your soil feels like concrete, the problem isn’t just on the surface—it’s underneath. Fixing soil compaction can lead to:✅ More productive pasture growth✅ Better nutrient uptake for healthier cows✅ Reduced reliance on chemical fertilisers like urea✅ A stronger, more resilient farm 🔎 Want to learn more? Visit www.agraforum.co.nz for details on soil testing, fertiliser strategies, and proven methods to improve soil structure and animal health. 🎙 Stay tuned! Next episode, we’ll hear directly from a Canterbury farmer who’s seen the benefits firsthand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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