| 93 Less fertiliser without loss in production Applying less fertiliser in droplet form minimises leaching. Every droplet is doing its job, improving soil and herbage biology and growing grass, says R & J Agri Spray’s Rudi Woutersen. Sue Russell RURAL SERVICES » R & J Agri Spray If there is one thing that Rudi Woutersen has come to understand about pioneering a new approach to save money on fertiliser without sacri cing production, is that you need to have a tonne of determination and an utter belief in what you are doing. Rudi, and partner Jolanda Gouweleeuw, are based at Woodlands, some 15 minutes north of Invercargill in amongst prime dairying country. Their business, R & J Agri Spray, offers a revolutionary new approach to how soil and plant nutrition is delivered, as Rudi explains. “Traditionally farmers spend considerable money applying fertiliser in granular form. What they are paying for, delivered in this form, creates a substantial percentage of product getting locked up in the soil and leaching into waterways impacting the environment. This waste is costly and doesn’t support strong biological activity in the soil,” he says. The best way to avoid this costly waste is to apply less and more often in droplets evenly spread on your pasture. R & J Agri Spray was established in 2015. Rudi has a eet of 2 x 4000 litre tanks, pulled by JCB Tractors and a 1000 litre tank attached to a smaller truck. These tanks track across a paddock delivering specially blended fertilisers in droplet form. The bene t, Rudi says, in applying fertiliser this way, is that leaching is minimised, meaning that every droplet is doing its job, improving soil and herbage biology and growing grass. Rudi held a eld-day last June providing farmers and allied agricultural service operators with an opportunity to discuss new fertiliser technologies and to understand how it delivers positive results while supporting greater nancial outcomes. There were 65 attendees who were clearly interested in nding ways to minimise the use of fertiliser without loss of production. “The main thing we talked about was how to reduce the use of fertiliser without sacri cing pasture performance. With our system, each bag of our mix (LMO 16) contains 16 different nutrients, blended to the correct ratios. Gibb-Gro Gibb-Gro This is then mixed with water or ef uent to place the nutrients in a liquid medium and applied. We apply this mix up to eight times annually or by following the cows. This can amount to savings up to $300/ha annually. Asked how business has been since Rural South last spoke with Rudi, in March last year, he acknowledges a growing frustration in an inability to effectively get the message out. “We have a situation here in New Zealand where the fertiliser sector is controlled, with big dollars supporting it, to be a very closed circle. For operators, such as myself, who come from an approach that there are massive potential savings to be made for farmers by using a different Fert spreading technology, it is extremely dif cult to get the message out effectively.” Rudi says, this even extends to organisations he considers should be impartial and open to new ideas that promise direct bene ts to farmers. “As an ex- Farmer, we rely on organisations like Dairy NZ, Lincoln etc to trial new systems.” Rudi also understands that his fertiliser blend and delivery system needs to be rigorously trialled, to enable a body of science-driven data to be created which farmers can access. “I’ve communicated with Dairy NZ but they are not interested to trial our system which is really disappointing, and, I feel, a real disservice to their farmers who fund these organisations. This is what I’m trying to do; get a message across to try my approach and I can assure clients will see bene ts owing in all directions.” And with a mentality of David ghting Goliath, Rudi is quietly chipping away at engaging with farmers in his neck of the woods. He’s also going to be talking with Environment Southland and with catchment groups, formed, often by farmers who want to see their local water-quality improved and existing pristine waterways safeguarded from fertiliser contamination. Rudi is more than happy to sit down and talk with any farmer interested in wanting to understand why his approach works. “I’m not there to put pressure on any farmer. I’m not some wacky greenie at all. I just care that farmers get a fair deal and have access to options that deliver great results. Sadly, in New Zealand, there are many barriers in place, that impact a Farmers ability to make their own fertiliser decisions.” Dairy farms usually add well over $800/ha/yr net profit over 3 years Enhancing soil, plant & animal health WE’RE PROUD TO TUMUNUI LANDS TRUST SUPPORT FASTEST GET INQUICK FORTHE WORLD’S TRACTOR INVERCARGILL 25/3 Wallacetown-Lorneville Hwy 03 215 6114 GORE 5 Surrey St 03 263 1000 » 60 km/h road speed makes it ideal for contractors and farmers with multiple properties » 50:50 weight distribution for fantastic traction on wet and heavy ground » Improved comfort and visibility » 6.6 L six cylinder engine delivering 235 hp The high road speed and versatility of the JCB FASTRAC 4220 make it the ultimate contractor’s tractor. Increase clover production, use less nitrogen, improve nutrient efficiency. Less stress on your wallet and the planet. Win-win. Visit www.fishit.co.nz or call 0800 FISHIT to grow with us.
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