| 85 Long-term soil and nutrient management The business traces its foundations back to 2005, when Reece encountered the Albrecht System of Soil Fertility. Russell Fredric RURAL SERVICES » Highland Nutrition From Southland to Waikato, dairy farm results are helping demonstrate the potential of Highland Nutrition’s soil-first approach. Founded by owner Reece Johnston, the South Otago-based business provides agronomy consultancy services focused on improving soil health, nutrient utilisation and farm productivity. Highland Nutrition also has the New Zealand agency for BiOWiSH products and has developed its own product range as part of a broader biological farming approach. The business traces its foundations back to 2005, when Reece encountered the Albrecht System of Soil Fertility while working in the United States. That experience led him to explore the work of soil scientist William Albrecht and the fertility principles that remain central to Highland Nutrition’s approach today. Through its relationship with Perry Agricultural Laboratory in Missouri, which works exclusively with Kinsey Agricultural Services, the company uses soil audits designed to align with Albrecht’s original soil fertility principles. Highland Nutrition was established in 2019. It trademarked its Bio Sustainable Enhancement system in 2023 and collaborates closely with Peter Norwood of Full Circle Nutrition in Australia. Rather than focusing solely on fertiliser inputs, the company takes a whole-system approach and works with farmers by organising soil, plant tissue, herbage and animal testing before developing recommendations designed to address nutrient imbalances and improve biological function, Reece says. “You can’t look at soil, plants and animals in isolation. They’re all part of the same system.” While consultancy forms the core of the business, Highland Nutrition also supplies products including Waimumu Magic Silica, developed around a specifically selected silica source. Reece says the silica helps bind aluminium in the soil, reducing its effect on nutrients such as phosphate. Combined with biological technologies such as BiOWiSH, the products are designed to support nutrient cycling, soil biology, water quality and production efficiency. One of the key principles behind the system is improving the efficiency of nutrients already present within the farm system rather than continually relying on additional inputs. Better soil function, he says, can help unlock existing resources and support stronger biological activity. “It’s not reinventing the wheel but turning it half a turn.” One Southland dairy farm has now spent about three years implementing the system, with changes becoming increasingly noticeable over time. While milk production initially dipped as pasture composition changed, production later recovered and the farm recently recorded its highest production season to date, with output increasing by about 11.4%. The farm has also seen improvements in clover growth, soil biology and root development, while its fertiliser programme has progressed to a point where it could support a future transition to organic production. Another client, an organic dairy farm in Waikato, was recently recognised for achieving the highest milk production among organic dairy farms in New Zealand. Results such as these demonstrate the T: (03) 417-8228 E: admin@milburnlime.co.nz Milburn Lime is South Otago’s top lime deposit and is reputed to have the highest quality agricultural lime in New Zealand. We can supply various grades of lime rock for multiple uses around your farm. • Rock, Gravel, Bark & Sawdust Suppliers • General Transport - Big or small • Bulk Cartage • Livestock Cartage - Inter Island & Local • Fertiliser Cartage &Application with Proof of Placement •Wool Cartage • Otago’s only stockist of Golden Bay Dolomite , Eddystone St Kaitangata | 03 413 9735 | cranleighhaulage@gmail.com We’re proud to support Highland Nutrition importance of taking a long-term approach to soil and nutrient management rather than chasing quick gains, Reece says. “You’re not going to see a one-year result from these things. It takes a number of years to see some true results.” Interest in biological farming systems continues to grow as farmers look for ways to improve productivity while responding to changing environmental expectations. For Reece, the focus remains on helping farmers better understand and manage the connections between soil, plants and animals that underpin farm performance, in addition to human health benefits. “My main driver is to see the money go back into the farmers’ pockets.”
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