New Zealand’s Independent Leading Expert In Soil Fertility, Hamilton-Based Gordon Rajendram, Discusses Sustainability

Futureproofing for SustainabilityThe practice of agriculture meets the needs of present and future generations in textiles andsociety’s food without compromising the ability of current or future generations to meettheir needs.Agriculture is important in our environmental footprint, as it contributes to causing climatechange, water scarcity and pollution, land degradation, and deforestation. I. One way to improve agricultural and food production practices is byincorporating biological and ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, soilregeneration, and nitrogen fixation.II. We can help the environment by using fewer non-renewable andunsustainable resources, especially those that are harmful to theenvironment.III. Farmers’ expertise can be utilised for efficient farming practices and forpromoting self-reliance and self-sufficiency.IV. The cooperation and collaboration of individuals with diverse skills areutilised to address agricultural and natural resource challenges. Thesechallenges encompass pest management and irrigation issues. Sustainability in agriculture must incorporate the following principles: o Providing nutrient-rich food for farmers, farm families, and communitieshelps to maintain good public healtho Farming operations must be profitable, or they risk going out of business. Sustainability requires three key principles:I. It is important to ensure that the fertiliser used remains in the soil and does not getwashed away below the root zone or runoff.Significant this last season as it rained from Nov 2022 through summer, autumn, and winter2023. A significant amount of nutrients, specifically nitrate-N, and sulphate, will be lost through leaching (measured in kg/ha).Applying soluble phosphate to low ASC soils is more likely to runoff or leach – therefore, it isbest to apply a small component of the quick release and the majority as slow release N, P & S fertilisers.  II. Pasture growth costs are relatively low in New Zealand, and farmers excel at themdue to the lack of subsidies, unlike other countries. The price ranges from 1 cent perkilogram of dry matter for sheep and beef to about 6 cents per kilogram of drymatter for dairy. For the system to be sustainable, it is important to grow and convert forage into meat ormilk (protein) at a lower cost to increase efficiency and promotes sustainability. III. Consider incorporating legumes like clover to enhance feed quality and fix nitrogen.Other useful herbs include plantain, chicory, and deep-rooting forages that canabsorb leached nutrients that traditional ryegrass and clover pastures might not.These herbs also have a unique ability to absorb trace elements, which differs fromrye and clover pastures. Farming practices must be ecologically sound, promote healthy biodiversity, and sensiblemanagement of natural resources in order to promote sustainability. Dr Gordon Rajendram is a New Zealand Independent Soil Scientist specialising in Soil Fertility,Agronomy & Farm Environmental Consultancy. Gordon Rajendram9 Kakanui Avenue, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216P: 021 466 077E: rajendram@xtra.co.nzWeb site: http://dev.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz‘ Bringing science to the farm.’ Phillip Quayphillip@mediapa.co.nzP: 0274 587 724www.mediapa.co.nzfacebook.com/mediapa

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