NZ Dairy Spring 2021

10 | nz dairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Alan Law 75% ‘N’ reduction Thornton farmer Alan law sees regenerative farming as a solution to the Government’s Fresh Water policy. Karen Phelps A nnoyed by Environment Minister David Parker’s Fresh Water policy two years ago, Bay of Plenty farmers Alan and Wendy Law seriously considered selling up before discovering regenerative farming as a solution. Alan and Wendy own two dairy farms, Wyndlea and Oriini, both at Thornton and on the Rangitaiki flood plains between Whakatane, Edgecumbe and Matata. Using 180 units of N each year, every six weeks a truckload of synthetic nitrogen would be delivered to the farm. The Laws first goal was to step off the synthetic nitrogen bandwagon because nitrates are a key contributor to water pollution. Alan’s brother David, himself a farmer of 33 years, now operates Forward Farming Biological, a consultancy that exists to help farmers achieve the transition from chemical to biological farming. After consulting with David, a meeting was organised with Kiwi Fertiliser and David’s Total Re- placement Therapy programme tailored to Wyndlea Farm was developed. Total Replacement Therapy is an established 8-step regenerative farming methodology based on taking comprehensive soil samples and balancing the farm’s soil to ensure the conditions are right for the soil biology to thrive. A biological activator is applied as a catalyst, which introduces and feeds the biology in the soil. “Wendy and I set some non-negotiable KPIs in respect to the transition to biological farming including that the new system wasn’t to cost any more. “In fact when we worked through it, the cost was going to be less each year because instead of syn- thetic nitrogen we were planning to use Terragen Great Land liquid biological activator in addition to sugar, molasses, kelp, yeast and fish fertiliser. Some allowance for synthetic N was still there. Also, the transition wasn’t to have any negative impact on cash flow or grass grown.” By the end of ‘Year One’ Wyndlea’s synthetic N usage was down to 75 units and Year Two down to 45 units, a 75% reduction in N without compromis- ing Alan and Wendy’s non-negotiable stipulations. “We looked at some of the global stuff going on and saw that some arable farmers in America and Western Australia were actually getting carbon credits. “So they were actually growing their soil. And we’re thinking Total Replacement Therapy should achieve that, it should grow our soil. If we balance our soil and all the nutrients and introduce biology we should get increased carbon sequestering and decreased water degradation. We’re already seeing deeper root growth and a huge increase in worm population.” Alan says his farm’s pasture quality has greatly improved with a lot more clover and the farm looks as though it has just had a truckload of synthetic nitrogen spread around. ‘But it hasn’t. It’s actually producing its own N because of the increased clover content. This is the result of strictly following the recommenda- tions of comprehensive soil audits and creating the best possible conditions for clovers and biology to flourish. “But you need a bit of patience and faith and that was part of the transition deal. I’d call David and he would ask how the farm’s cover was and how the feed budget was looking? If there was any thought we needed a bit of N, David said just put it on. So we didn’t just go cold turkey like you would have with organics. The transition was managed, so we’re still putting a little bit of synthetic N on when needed. We’ve raised our pH up to 6.3 and our pastures are completely different. We have a much stronger clo- ver and pasture sward and a lot less swamp weed and swamp grass.” The next step is to measure the nitrates, carbon, methane, and water quality with our professional team. This will provide proof that Total Replacement Therapy will mitigate most issues of Government concern. Reflecting on David Parker’s fresh water docu- ment, the Laws are now confident they are meeting the challenge and are on the front foot with change. “We looked at some of the global stuff going on and saw that some arable farmers in America and Western Australia were actually getting carbon credits. So they were actually growing their soil. And we’re thinking Total Replacement Therapy should achieve that, it should grow our soil. If we balance our soil and all the nutrients and introduce biology we should get increased carbon sequestering and decreased water degradation. We’re already seeing deeper root growth and a huge increase in worm population.” Ron McLean: 0800 549 433 Budge ti ng and Forecas � ng Tax Planning Equity Partnerships Company Restructures Succession Planning Financial Accounts GOLD PARTNER FARMit Accountants are proud to support Alan Law (07) 307 7245 team@farmit.net.nz www.farmit.net.nz