70 | Supporting pasture recovery allance Agri-Nutrients set up its first manufacturing plant in Awarua in 1947. Ballance Agri-Nutrients T T Aimee Wilson “This season, because of the change in conditions, crops have been sown late and with no spring flush, the surplus feed has not been made for next winter.” PRODUCTION Ballance Agri-Nutrients plays a big role in farming across Southland and Otago, and have done since it set up its first manufacturing plant in Awarua in 1947. With the devastating floods in October, and the huge impact that it’s had on farmers and their families, animals and land, our nutrient specialists have been on hand to support recovery, says general manager Jason Minkhorst. “We’ve focused on helping farmers build up their feed, offering discounts on nitrogen products to maximise growth rates. “We’ve also brought in extra resources from the North Island, providing farmers with nutrient support and targeted advice on rebuilding feed to help them cope with challenging conditions. “Early on, we held resilience workshops for farmers, connecting them with experts creating comprehensive response plans tailored to meet their specific needs.” He says as farmers began to assess the damage to their pastures and their need for re-grassing, Ballance has been customising solutions for them, recognising that for some, it may take up to two seasons for the most affected areas to recover, with many pastures needing to be re-grassed after spring crops and others targeted again during autumn. “In our region, with its cold and wet winters and shorter growing season, spring becomes a crucial time to set up for the following winter, capturing surplus feed and planting winter crops. “This season, because of the change in conditions, crops have been sown late and with no spring flush, the surplus feed has not been made for next winter.” Extensive soil and pasture damage, primarily caused by compaction from pugging, when animal hooves break through the surface, has led to an increase in soil bulk density and a decrease in soil porosity, aeration, and drainage, Jason says. “Damaged soil directly impacts and reduces soil nitrogen availability, causing pastures and crops to be yellower than normal. It will respond to nitrogen fertiliser, improving as the soil structure repairs itself over time. “ With the need for summer pasture production, farmers are unable to allocate large areas for crops. This means there’s a careful balance needed between repairing damaged pasture and ensuring there’s enough for grazing. He says that Southland and Otago are highly productive agricultural regions. “A feature of the soil here is that it is predominantly deep loessial with moderate to high clay content, slow permeability and drainage. “This presents a challenge under sustained wet conditions, where the soil has remained at field capacity for extended periods. “Our Ballance-Agri Nutrient specialists understand both the soil and climatic limitations within the region and how these factors may impact the farm system. This specialist knowledge has helped support farmers on their journey to rebuild and repair through an incredibly challenging time.” Fi Innovations is a leading New Zealand specialist in 3D additive manufacturing, composites and resin applications. Phone : +64 3 216 6650 Email : info@f-i.co.nz Website : f-i.co.nz Address : 38 Otepuni Avenue Invercargill 9812 Turning great ideas into reality. POOL REFURBISHMENT 3D PRINTING & SCAN FIBREGLASS BOATBUILDING FLOORING RHINO UTE LINERS Engineering in Southland for over 100 years JK’s are proud to support Ballance Agri-Nutrients 0800 200 522 or 03 218 7096 www.jks.co.nz | 190 Mersey St, Invercargill
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