The Fine Particle Story
Case Study
The use of fine particle fertiliser is gaining momentum in New Zealand, and it has long been a favoured option overseas due to its advantages. Even local suppliers and quarries of rock lime are comparing their products to competitors based on the percentage of fines in their products. At Outgro, we go one step further and grind our lime and fertiliser products to ultra-fine or to size 20 micron.
Natural minerals such as limestone and phosphate rock need to be weathered to provide their liming effect and desirable nutrients. A key driver to that weathering is the amount of surface area exposed to the soil that speeds up their chemical reaction in the soil and makes the availability of nutrients more efficient. The higher the purity, and the finer the grind, the better the results.
For each halving of particle diameter, the surface area is doubled. Two mm diameter lime products ground down to 0.02mm (20 micron) means 100 times increase in surface area.
The advantage in exposure to soil is further increased by the ability of fine particles to travel through the soil surface. Easier incorporation into the soil also means that the finer material can get through any thatch layers and distribute vertically into the root zone. This contrasts with large particles remaining above the soil with limited immediate exposure to soil and soil moisture. The clearest difference in using fine particle is the speed of reaction, efficient utilisation of nutrients and profitable return on investment.
The Trace Element Story
Case Study
Foliar application of urea is a perfect opportunity to deliver other elements and growth promoters that can work synergistically with nitrogen uptake. Trace elements can be added in small, low cost amounts for the benefit of plant growth and animal nutrition. Some such elements are much more efficiently taken up through the foliage than through the soil matrix. For instance, soil uptake of copper can be restricted by high pH, high organic matter, and high levels of phosphorus, sulphur and molybdenum. Foliar application of copper bypasses those potential issues.
Another trace element, iodine, is essential for animal nutrition and can be efficiently delivered to plant foliage (even into fodder brassicas which can otherwise challenge animal iodine nutrition). In comparison, application of iodine to the soil is generally ineffective at improving plant levels. Tim Jenkins article.
Animals fed on green pasture should receive all vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are required at an optimal level. Trace element deficiencies in plants and animals can be prevented by monitoring the status within the pasture, and can be effectively supplement through fertiliser, animal drench or vaccination if necessary.
Neil and Linley Graham
Towai Trust, Dannevirke
“Sitting down in the evening watching the sheep bounce around in the front paddock gives us great joy. They are happy, healthy and full of energy. We have been using Outgro Fertiliser for about 7 or 8 years. The ease of application using the helicopter works well for us, not waiting around for airstrips to dry. Being able to add in different chemicals if needed is a big cost savings for us, getting it on all in one application.”
Daniel White
Ngapuke, Pohangina Valley
“For me it’s a quality not quantity thing, my bulls are eating quality pasture. The weight gains on the bulls are the same if not better now using Outgro than when I was using a Nitrogen based fertiliser, and the bulls were eating more feed then. I know my bulls are now healthy, I haven’t had to treat then with Copper or Selenium etc for years, my animal health bill has been significantly reduced. My soil is healthy and it’s growing nutrient dense pasture which my bulls are doing very well on, they are quiet and content.”
Terry and Sheryl Goble
Palmer Dairies, Kaponga
“My husband and I made a huge change in our fertiliser programme 8 years ago. We wanted a quality feed for our animals that would help with animal health as well as improving our soils. We have achieved this by using Outgro Fertiliser. The big thing we noticed in the first year was that the number of worms in our soil jumped up dramatically. Now, our rooting depth has increased dramatically so in the dry conditions we are able to keep growing grass for longer. We sold our runoff and milk 10% less animals, but our milk production is gradually increasing each year as well. We have no regrets about changing to Outgro Fertiliser.”
Kevin Davidson
Plantation Dairies, Onga Onga
“Learning about biological fertiliser was a complete changer for me. I never knew before you could get male and female fertiliser, apply them as a foliar spray and modify the plants growth. Outgro has helped me substantially improve our animal health issues along with lowering our nitrogen use to only a third of what we use to use, at the same time increasing grass harvested. I have no question that this is the way of the future.”
Neil and Linley Graham
Towai Trust, Dannevirke
“Sitting down in the evening watching the sheep bounce around in the front paddock gives us great joy. They are happy, healthy and full of energy. We have been using Outgro Fertiliser for about 7 or 8 years. The ease of application using the helicopter works well for us, not waiting around for airstrips to dry. Being able to add in different chemicals if needed is a big cost savings for us, getting it on all in one application.”
Daniel White
Ngapuke, Pongahina Valley
“For me it’s a quality not quantity thing, my bulls are eating quality pasture. The weight gains on the bulls are the same if not better now using Outgro than when I was using a Nitrogen based fertiliser, and the bulls were eating more feed then. I know my bulls are now healthy, I haven’t had to treat then with Copper or Selenium etc for years, my animal health bill has been significantly reduced. My soil is healthy and it’s growing nutrient dense pasture which my bulls are doing very well on, they are quiet and content.”
Terry and Sheryl Goble
Palmer Dairies, Kaponga
“My husband and I made a huge change in our fertiliser programme 8 years ago. We wanted a quality feed for our animals that would help with animal health as well as improving our soils. We have achieved this by using Outgro Fertiliser. The big thing we noticed in the first year was that the number of worms in our soil jumped up dramatically. Now, our rooting depth has increased dramatically so in the dry conditions we are able to keep growing grass for longer. We sold our runoff and milk 10% less animals, but our milk production is gradually increasing each year as well. We have no regrets about changing to Outgro Fertiliser.”
Kevin Davidson
Plantation Dairies, Onga Onga
“Learning about biological fertiliser was a complete changer for me. I never knew before you could get male and female fertiliser, apply them as a foliar spray and modify the plants growth. Outgro has helped me substantially improve our animal health issues along with lowering our nitrogen use to only a third of what we use to use, at the same time increasing grass harvested. I have no question that this is the way of the future.”