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Soil health the key for arable farmer P Heather Chalmers
RURAL REPORTER
reviously focused on the crops he was growing above the ground, Central Canterbury arable farmer David Birkett is now getting a bigger kick out of understanding what is going on in the soil beneath them. Birkett, a third-
generation farmer at Leeston, said his family had always been conscious about farming in a way that was environmentally friendly. He is now incorporating regenerative agriculture into his farming system and while it is being promoted as the latest
thing, many of its techniques are quite traditional. Regenerative agriculture is different from conventional farming in that it focuses on soil health, with this influencing all decisionmaking. Regenerative agriculture
techniques include recycling natural resources such as crop residue and nutrients from nitrogen-fixing crops back into the soil to achieve maximum yields while minimising inputs and environmental effects. continued over page
In summer, David Birkett grows process beans for Heinz Wattie’s, Christchurch. This paddock was double cropped, with the beans following process peas. PHOTOS ASHBURTON GUARDIAN
Paveco.
Covering all your concrete needs. Silo Guard vs Inoculants Inoculants are bacteria additives such as L Buchneri (which produces acetic acid), that are used to manipulate and enhance fermentation in baleage, pasture and maize silage. However, fermentation cannot occur unless oxygen is removed from the stack. Silo Guard is an oxygen scavenger, eliminating oxygen from bales and stacks allowing for fermentation to occur faster. Mould and Fungus are naturally present in forages. As soon as forage is cut, it begins to decompose. Extended drying times are perfect conditions for bacteria and fungus colonies to establish before being baled/stacked. This can cause heating and moulds to grow.
Forages such as maize, pasture and lucerne contain wild type bacteria’s such as wild L Buchneri, which is an anaerobic organism that will not function in the presence of oxygen. Even in very well compacted silage, there is still oxygen trapped inside so mould and yeast will thrive. By eliminating oxygen Silo Guard prevents mould and yeast growth and allows the natural hetero-fermentation to produce lactic and acetic acid which will then effectively reduce colonies (cfu/g) of mould and yeast during the fermentation period. Use Silo Guard for efficient, healthier fermentation for better quality silages.
* Dairy yards * Wintering barns * Silage/feed pads * Driveways * Floor slabs * Paths/patios
DBC are the South Island distributers of Silo Guard.
For high quality concrete placing, contact Martyn Wheeler on 027 4508196 today. PH: 0800 26 93 33 EMAIL: office@dairybusiness.co.nz
13 Robinson Street, Riverside Industrial Estate, Ashburton Phone 03 307 6466 – www.paveco.co.nz