Environmental and economic benefits from soil testing

He says evidence suggests WFST has the potential to increase farming systems’ productivity and decrease the impact on the environment.  

“WFST is among the most cost-effective nutrient management strategies a farmer can adopt,” Copland says.

“It assesses the current soil fertility on every paddock on a farm, gathering much more information than many other soil testing strategies. This allows us to create customised nutrient input plans.”

Customised nutrient plans allow farmers to apply the correct nutrients at the optimal rates at the right time to maximise pasture production and quality on their farm and reduce their environmental impact.

“It allows us to essentially mine nutrients from paddocks that are optimal or above optimal by applying less fertiliser there and redistributing it to paddocks that are below optimum.” 

Results from 1109 soil tests by the co-op in Canterbury showed 40% of the paddocks tested had Olsen P levels below the optimum range. Applying capital P to these areas and getting them into the optimum range could increase pasture production by 2-8%. 

“With a majority of these WFST tests we’ve been able to cut back or withhold phosphate from close to 20% of paddocks tested, which had an Olsen P level above optimum, saving $2000-$15,000 of the farmer’s fertiliser budget,” Copland explains.

He says farmers using the soil testing programme can optimise soil pH levels in every paddock through recommended rates of ag-lime, varying from several tonnes/ha of capital lime through to maintenance lime or none depending on paddock pH.

Additionally, potassium (K) fertiliser rates can be adjusted from zero to above maintenance rates of K depending on current soil K status, including soil K reserves.

“WFST can be tailored to meet a farm’s specific soil fertility, environmental and budget requirements, ensuring farmers are getting the best return on their investment,” Copland says.