24 | In crop of Pure sunflowers for Pure Oil NZ. Crop inspecting Doug Kelman with RL inspecting wheat at Turley Farms. ARABLE » Agronomy Solutions The top agronomist in New Zealand Kelly Deeks Roger Lasham is the best agronomist in New Zealand in 2022, as named at the New Zealand Arable Awards and nominated by one of his associates, as he and his wife Julie and their business Agronomy Solutions strives for attention to detail and to bring real value to New Zealand arable farmers. Roger draws on more than 30 years of agronomic experience which he gained here in New Zealand and in the UK. With Julie and Agronomy Solutions, he provides a comprehensive and in-depth agronomy consultancy service, bringing agronomy advice and technical services to assist in the fine tuning of farmers’ and growers’ organisations for increased efficiency and profitability. He also helps to advise and train junior agronomists entering the industry, as he feels it is vital for the arable industry to have access to top agronomy services, which are in short supply on a global scale. Roger has the knowledge and experience to identify new technologies that are going to benefit the arable industry and incorporate them into his clients’ farming systems. One example of this was when he saw the value of variable rate application of lime, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium, and he brought technology over from the UK which allowed Agronomy Solutions to offer a precision nutrient management service. Precision Nutrient Management from Agronomy Solutions is a complete soil nutrient testing and mapping service which provides a detailed understanding of the major nutrients and pH levels in each part of the paddock. The resulting map and spreading files provide an accurate delivery of nutrients to the specific areas that need it, and benefits cropping farmers and dairy farmers alike to get more value out of their fertiliser by putting it where it is needed. “The first job I did I remember clearly, a paddock in Chertsey, and the soil test was completely different from the one I did the year before. That was when I first did grid sampling, using GPS technology. Then I had to find someone in the UK to make my maps, and a spreader in New Zealand that could do this. That was the very first variable rate application in New Zealand.” In that situation, the recommendation was 240 tons of lime. Using the grid testing results, Agronomy Solutions calculated a new recommendation of just 14 tons. “That was when it really hit home. We needed to be putting this out for other farmers in New Zealand. It needed to be available for everyone.” Agronomy Solutions is now working on other alternative solutions to combat expensive imported fertilisers and help protect the environment. Using organic manures and the recycling of nutrients, as well as reducing disturbance and compaction in soils all work to improve sustainable outcomes. “Resources like crop residue, mushroom compost, and livestock waste that can add to the soil biology are big things that have been overlooked in the past,” Julie says. “The bacteria and the microorganisms all contribute to help the plants uptake the nutrients.” Roger says the biggest focus of today’s arable industry is to work on improving soils from both a biological and nutrient point of view. “We must learn to work with environmental compliance, make food safety of utmost importance, and always remain focused on the financials.” “Resources like crop residue, mushroom compost, and livestock waste that can add to the soil biology are big things that have been overlooked in the past.” ® Registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company Syngenta is proud to support Roger Lasham and congratulates himon winning Agronomist of the year at the NZ Arable Awards. Seed & Field Services SI are an Agronomy Service Provider, servicing arable & horticultural crops in the South Island. Proudly supporting Agronomy Solutions 67 Elizabeth Avenue, Rakaia enquiries@sfssil.co.nz seedfieldservicessiltd Seed & Field Services SI Ltd
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