| 73 Helping improve pasture productivity Lime trucks in action (top). Jackson Spreading uses the TrackMap GPS system to help with precision and compliance (below). Kelly Deeks RURAL SERVICES » Jackson Spreading Tinwald-based agricultural contractor Jackson Spreading is helping Mid Canterbury farmers improve pasture productivity and meet environmental regulations with their forward- thinking approach to spreading, which combines cutting-edge technology and proven old-school methods. Now in its 12th year of business, Jackson Spreading has grown from a single spreader truck to a six-person operation offering tailored, high-efficiency spreading services. The business began when Jon Jackson’s dad Dusty bought his own spreader, with Jon and his wife Anna promising to help when he got too busy. “Six months later we were buying a second truck, and this year me and Anna have bought the final shares from Mum and Dad,” Jon says. “Now Mum has retired, but Dad is still driving full-time for us.” While spreading is a traditional farming practise, Jackson Spreading has always been a tech-focused business. “Technology is the future, and that’s where we’re staying,” Jon says. “We’re always looking for ways to help farmers get better results, more yield, and less environmental impact, and we do our research to make sure the numbers stack up.” One of Jackson Spreading’s latest innovations is Spikey®, a smart tow-behind machine from Pastoral Robotics that detects cow urine patches using spiked discs, then treats each patch with a liquid nitrogen inhibitor called NitroStop™. The technology reduces nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions while also boosting pasture growth by encouraging the grass to absorb more nitrogen already present in the soil. “We’re harvesting the nitrogen that the cows have left behind,” Jon explains. “It’s a win-win achieving more feed in the paddock and less pollution in the waterways.” Urine patches make up about 10% of a grazed paddock and are hotspots for nitrogen leaching. Spikey® pinpoints these areas, reducing the need for blanket applications of fertiliser. Instead, nitrogen can be applied directly to the inter-urine patches where it’s most needed. That can mean a 10% saving in fertiliser use, while also improving grass growth where it matters most. “Why do a blanket rate when you can follow the cows and target the application?” Jon says. “One vehicle, one pass, and one contractor is more efficient and better for the environment.” He says many farmers are already working Spikey® into their routines, applying nitrogen on a ‘follow the cows’ basis. “Especially on farms near waterways, this is something that will make a real difference.” While Spikey® is a recent innovation, Jon says it’s part of Jackson Spreading’s broader approach that mixes old and new, like the chain harrows they use to break up dung patches, a method many farmers’ grandparents would remember. “Sometimes the old ways are the best ways, but we’re also not afraid to try something new if the numbers stack up.” Jackson Spreading uses the TrackMap GPS system to help with precision and compliance, and Jon says they’re always open to adding the next tool that can improve results for their clients. “Our goal has always been to provide a good, reliable service,” he says. “If there’s something that can help farmers grow more feed without hurting their bottom line – or the planet – we’re on board.” By supplementing your cows diet with Healthy Cow throughout milking ensures increased milk production and bolsters immune function.
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