80 | Soil fertility has never been more crucial A multi crop species in Mid Canterbury. Karen Phelps Dr Gordon Rajendram’s scientific work has been used in farming tools such as Overseer quietly helping farmers make smarter farming decisions. More recently he’s moved from research to consulting so farmers can now benefit directly from his expertise. “My job is to bring science to the farm. For example I quantify how much pasture is actually growing when fertiliser is put on,” says Dr Gordon whose 22-year tenure at AgResearch’s Ruakura Research Centre established him as one of New Zealand’s leading soil scientists. With New Zealand’s GDP heavily dependent on agricultural output, he says that understanding soil composition and optimising its fertility has never been more crucial. As fertiliser costs continue to rise, soil and pasture testing are essential for farmers looking to maximise their fertiliser efficiency. According to Dr. Gordon the best approach is through comprehensive soil and pasture / herbage testing. “Applying too little fertiliser can be just as wasteful as using too much. Soil testing enables farmers to optimise nutrient use while minimising leaching and runoff into waterways. My approach to agricultural consultancy is rooted in balancing sustainability with productivity.” He says historically farmers and scientists have been operating in separate bubbles and in the middle is what he terms “sales talk”. The shift from research to consultancy represents a direct bridge between scientific knowledge and practical farming. “Soil testing empowers farmers to make wellinformed, data-driven decisions, leading to healthier land, stronger livestock and improved profitability,” says Dr. Gordon. RURAL SERVICES » The Soil Scientist His research has significantly influenced New Zealand’s agricultural sector, particularly through his development of field-calibrated soil tests for nitrogen and sulphur and leaching of nutrients from pastoral soils. The sulphur test and nutrient leaching work have been incorporated into the Overseer nutrient model. These contributions earned him nominations for awards including Scientist of the Year in 2008 and Science Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010. His research into Soil Nitrogen and Field Calibration led to the “Soil testing empowers farmers to make well-informed, data-driven decisions, leading to healthier land, stronger livestock and improved profitability.” Available from The Soil Scientist + Increase Soil Moisture Retention + Increase in Bacteria & Fungi Levels + Humates High in Carbon + Increase Pasture Growth Improves Soil Health Southern Humates Cover Crops • Sheep & Beef Mixes • Dairy Mixes • Custom Seed Mixes Seeds Limited Supporting The Soil Scientist | www.wesco.co.nz 0800 643 643
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