| 43 Farming background ‘gave me credibility’ Sue Russell The rst thing John Davis, founder of Uptake Fertiliser, based in Taupo, acknowledges is that in establishing his bespoke organic based fertiliser blend offerings is that he didn’t come from a scienti c background. “I didn’t understand the science behind why certain elements worked well to support healthy soil and plant growth, but I knew they worked because I came from a farmer’s perspective,” John says. And that perspective still carries through to this day, even though John knows there is a large volume of research underpinning the biological approach he takes to supporting his clients with the company’s supply of bespoke suspended fertiliser blends. He began to appreciate the importance of micro-nutrients and their place in enabling nature to do what it does best and the direct bene ts that subsequently ow from soil to plant to animal to people. “I know that the soil is the most critically important part in the nutrient chain and its quality has a direct bearing ultimately on the health of people eating the meat and milk/milk based products produced from grass-based farming systems.” And another thing about John that he freely admits is this: He learnt pretty early on in his journey establishing his business and approach to healthy fertiliser processes that he needed to grow a thick skin. Mainstream fert companies had a well entrenched market in the country supplying farmers with lime and superphosphate based granual fertilisers so to present a ‘left- eld’ option would certainly have ruf ed their feathers. “To be honest I wouldn’t have been able to do the job justice if I hadn’t had the farming background. It gave me a credibility, born out of real experiences.” John’s approach was (and still is) very much about being available to talk to farmers who were interested in a biological approach and the bene ts that would come from applying micro-nutrients. And in another pioneering way, John has again put his money where his mouth is, and invested in a purpose-built new fertiliser processing plant at Whakatu, Hastings. There was no blue-print for its design but John says once fully commissioned it will really improve the manufacturing system and overall ef ciency of fertiliser blend marketing and distribution. Prompting this investment in new plant was the reality that about three years ago, Uptake Fertiliser began to make serious traction in the highly competitive agricultural fertiliser sector. “What made a difference for us was that we heard about the work of Dr Gordon Rajendrum, who was working independently of the major fertiliser companies and had developed soil testing regimes that we knew were credible and would work well for us. All our blends supplied to farmers are based speci cally on pasture soil samples from their paddocks. This was a real turning point in our business.” Gordon is an independant scientist, engaged by Uptake clients. RURAL PEOPLE » Uptake Fertiliser And adding further value to the relationship Gordon also independently promoted the application of fertiliser in suspension giving farmers surety that this approach brings science proven results. John is also not a fan of the mono-culture approach to pasture cover. He knows that animals grazing, given a wider varieties of plant species to access, will naturally choose to eat the plants they need to remain healthy. John thinks the use of suspended micro-nutrient fertiliser has found its time, particularly considering its holistic approach to supporting plant and animal health from the soil up. “I think too that in this day and age consumers want to know about all aspects of the production of their meat, vegetables, grains they are going to eat. Our philsophy ts in with those values.” “To be honest I wouldn’t have been able to do the job justice if I hadn’t had the farming background.” Elizabeth and John Davis - owners of Taupo based Uptake Fertiliser WEIGHING, BATCHING SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE 0800 27 26 26 | www.ansutek.co.nz ® Kevin Simmonds Phone: (06)845 1955 (24hrs) Mobile: 027 5235 004 Email: kcelectrical@xtra.co.nz 1 Travis Street, Taradale, Napier
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