August 2024

An anonymous Hamilton-based farmer has supported the call for more competition in the fertiliser industry from renowned Hamilton soil scientist Dr Gordon Rajendram. “Improving soil biology with less environmental impact is a significant step forward. Improving productivity is one of the most important things any nation can do to help its people, so I think competition and new ways are great,” the farmer said. “Furthermore, with increasing restrictions and tighter compliance standards being put on farmers, you are providing them with a choice and making it sustainable over the long term,” he said. Dr Gordon Rajendram has been vocal about the critical need for increased competition in the New Zealand fertiliser market. According to Dr Rajendram, the current market dynamics stifle innovation and result in higher costs for farmers, ultimately impacting the agricultural sector’s sustainability and productivity. The farmer emphasised the intense pressure faced by those in the dairy sector, where compliance with stringent environmental standards is a constant challenge. “Being in dairy, I am aware of how much pressure farmers are under from all sorts of things, so innovation and alternative choices are great for this sector.” Dr Rajendram’s research underscores the importance of soil biology in enhancing productivity while minimising environmental impact. “By focusing on improving soil health through innovative fertilisers, we can achieve higher yields with less environmental degradation,” he explains. “More competition in the fertiliser market would lead to lower prices and better products for farmers,” Dr Rajendram asserts. “This is crucial not only for improving soil health but also for meeting the stringent environmental standards imposed on the farming community.” One of the key issues Dr Rajendram highlights is the limited number of players in the fertiliser industry, which leads to a lack of incentive for companies to innovate and offer environmentally friendly products. With New Zealand’s farmers facing increasing pressures from both regulatory bodies and market forces, the need for cost-effective and sustainable fertiliser options has never been greater. In conclusion, Dr Rajendram’s call for more competition in the fertiliser market is not just about reducing costs; it’s about fostering a culture of innovation that benefits both farmers and the environment. As New Zealand continues to strive for more sustainable farming practices, embracing competition and encouraging innovation in the fertiliser sector will be key to achieving these goals. For more information, please contact: Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram 021 466077 rajendram@xtra.co.nz www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz About Dr Gordon Rajendram:  Dr Gordon Rajendram is a distinguished independent soil scientist with extensive experience in the agricultural sector. His work focuses on improving soil health and sustainability practices in farming, making him a respected voice in the industry. Contact Media PA phillip@mediapa.co.nz 027 458 7724 www.mediapa.co.nz

The story of a family and their farm on the coast of Whangarei is one of remarkable resilience and adaptation. Despite numerous challenges, things are on track for a brighter future. Their journey, marked by persistent challenges and setbacks, exemplifies their determination to overcome adversity and secure a better future. Once owning a farm at Dargaville, the family decided to move closer to Whangarei, purchasing two farms in the general area. However, persistent flooding over the past eight years at one farm forced them to sell their properties to a businessperson from Auckland. Retaining a 50/50 sharemilking job on their home farm, they were able to purchase an additional 145 hectares on the coast of Whangarei, encompassing 85 hectares of flat land, 46 hectares of hill land, 14 hectares of bush in 4 titles. The 4 titles are encompass 36 ha plus house, 62 ha, 20 ha and 27 ha) with good sea views from parts of the farm.  From the back of the farm from a ramp you are able to launch a boat and be in the open ocean in 5 minutes.  From this farm you can set a net in the evening, go back in the the morning to find mullet, snapper, trevally, Kahawaii and flounder in the net. They moved to their new farm in March 2017. The sharemilking job was intended to help pay and develop the new farm. However, within a year, they lost the 50/50 sharemilking job and ended up in court, despite having all the rights. The other side had more money, and their lawyer advised them to leave, resulting in significant financial loss. In October 2019, disaster struck again when the floodgate on the farm collapsed, allowing seawater to inundate the flatland, killing grass, worms, and 85 large poplar trees, and destroying 60 hectares of grass. They worked tirelessly through the night to install a temporary gate and awaited resource consent to install new gates. In April 2020, they began constructing new floodgates, designed by an engineer and built with the help of family and a late friend. The family faced further challenges with waterlogged paddocks due to salt contamination and winter rain. Despite these setbacks, they began humping and hollowing paddocks, finishing three paddocks initially. However, complaints from uneducated neighbours to the dairy industry threatened their milk supply, as it was incorrectly understood that it was illegal to carry out this work. The dairy company stated they would stop taking their milk if they continued. In 2022, they sold livestock to China through Genetic Developments but did not receive payment, resulting in further financial strain. By September 2023, land productivity remained an issue, prompting them to restart humping and hollowing. Uneducated neighbours complained again to the Regional Council, but the council was impressed with their progress and primarily advised on silt control. They managed to hump and hollow 15 paddocks, with three remaining. Of the 145 hectares, 110 hectares are now effective. Despite these continuous challenges, the family exemplifies resilience and determination in their ongoing journey to develop their farm and secure their future. Looking Ahead: A Call for Support Here lies a beautiful property with coastal views, brimming with potential and on the cusp of full recovery. With the help of Dr Gordon Rajendram, the farm is on its way to recovery. They are now moving on to repairing the hills, with the outlook being much brighter. Production has increased by 20% this year compared to last year and is expected to increase further with other improvements. They are encouraging people to reach out and invest in the property. This farm will be a great asset for anyone who invests, offering both financial returns and the satisfaction of supporting a resilient family and a flourishing agricultural endeavour. With your support, they can continue to improve their farm and secure a prosperous future. For more information, please contact: Contact Dr Gordon Rajendram 021 466077 rajendram@xtra.co.nz www.gordonrajendramsoilscientist.co.nz Contact Media PA phillip@mediapa.co.nz 027 458 7724 www.mediapa.co.nz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hamilton, New Zealand – August 6, 2024 – Recent trials conducted by Dr Gordon Rajendram, a distinguished soil scientist and consultant, have revealed significant improvements in pasture production on Canterbury dairy farms through the use of soil compaction treatments. Dr Rajendram, formerly of AgResearch and MAF, led these trials to assess the impact of soil compaction on pasture growth and to demonstrate the effectiveness of Agraforum’s soil treatments. Dr Rajendram stated that “The trials have shown that addressing soil compaction through targeted treatments can significantly enhance pasture production, providing a sustainable solution for farmers to boost their productivity.” Pasture production is influenced by five primary factors (1): 1. Soil Moisture: Adequate rainfall or irrigation is crucial, with less than 25% soil moisture negatively impacting growth. 2. Soil Temperature: Grass growth ceases when the soil temperature at 10 cm depth falls to 5-6 degrees Celsius. 3. Soil pH and Nutrients: Thirteen essential elements for plant growth, along with Co, Se, and I for animal health, are vital. 4. Soil Microbiology: Beneficial microbial activity supports plant health. 5. Soil Air Space (Air-Filled Porosity or Macroporosity): Compacted soil, with less than 10% air-filled porosity (AFP), significantly reduces pasture production. Each percentage drop below this threshold results in a 10% reduction in yield (based on AgResearch trials)(2). Since 1995, the Waikato Regional Council has been monitoring soil quality at 150 sites across the Waikato region, focusing on volcanic ash and pumice soils used for dairying, beef, cropping, and forestry. Seven soil quality tests are conducted at each site, including air-filled porosity. The 2019 data revealed that 94% of dairy farming sites had concerning soil quality, with excessively high fertility and soil compaction affecting approximately 85% of the sites. (Waikato Regional Council)(3). Aim and Methodology The aim of the trials was to demonstrate that Agraforum’s soil compaction treatment can improve soil aeration and pasture growth. The trials involved: – Four irrigated Canterbury dairy farms, with two using Agraforum’s treatments for several years and two untreated. – Monthly pasture measurements using a ride-on mower and digital scales. – Soil temperature monitoring, starting at 14 degrees Celsius and dropping to 5 degrees Celsius by the third cut. Each farm had ten plots (2m x 10m), and the trials commenced in the last week of February 2024, with pasture cuts taken over a 105-day autumn period. Findings The results were conclusive: – The two treated farms produced approximately 1,000 kg DM/ha (33%) more dry matter than the best untreated farm. – Compared to the second untreated and most compacted farm, the treated farms yielded over 2,000 kg DM/ha (80%) more pasture. Graphs from the study clearly illustrate the superior performance of treated farms in terms of total pasture grown and growth rates, particularly for the first cut. Graph 1: Shows Total pasture grown for ~ 105 days for the 2 Agraforum Treated and Untreated Farms. Graph 2: Shows the growth rates for the first cut for the farms. The Treated farms grew twice and 3 times the more pasture than the Untreated farms for the first cut. Graph 3: Shows the accumulated grass growth across all four farms over the trial period. The treated farms clearly grew significantly more pasture compared to the Untreated farms. Error bars show the 95% confidence interval at each cut, calculated from the ten replicate plots within each farm. Raw Data Agraforum- Treated -Farm 1 Kg DM hectare Days Growth Kg DM/day Temperature Cut 1 1958 ± 230 27 73 ± 9 14 Cut 2 1226 ± 90 35 35 ± 3 10 Cut 3 388 ± 23 43 9 ± 1 5 3572 ±294 105 34 ± 3 Agraforum Treated -Farm 2 Days Growth Kg DM/day Cut 1 1827 ± 129 29 63 ± 4 Cut 2 1180 ± 108 40 30 ±3 Cut 3 307 ± 30 36 9 ±1 3314 ± 241 105 32 ±2 Non Treated Farm-3 Kg DM hectare Days Growth Kg DM/day Cut 1 1127 ±121 40 28 ± 3 Cut 2 1173 ±111 53 22 ± 2 Cut 3       2300 ±219 93 (105) 25 (22) ±2 Non Treated Farm – 4 Kg DM hectare Days Growth Kg DM/day Cut 1 429 ± 94 30 14 ± 3 Cut 2 262 ± 65 34 8 ± 2 Cut 3       691 ± 157 64(105) (7) ± 1 The 95% confidence intervals have been calculated from ten replicate plots for each cut within each farm. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of addressing soil compaction to improve pasture production. Agraforum’s soil aeration treatments have proven to be highly effective, offering a practical solution for farmers seeking to enhance productivity and sustainability. It takes ~ 10 kg of Dry matter of good quality pasture to produce 1 kg milk solid.(4) Four other field trials alongside Agraforum will be commencing this Spring in the Otago region, so watch this space. “By improving soil aeration and reducing compaction, we can unlock the full potential of pasture growth, ensuring healthier soils and more productive farms.” – Dr Gordon Rajendram, PhD, Soil Scientist/Consultant — About Dr Gordon Rajendram Dr Gordon Rajendram is a renowned soil scientist and independent consultant with extensive experience in soil fertility, agronomy, and farm environmental consultancy. His expertise has been instrumental in bringing scientific solutions to the agricultural sector, improving productivity and sustainability for farmers across New Zealand. About Allan Pirecy Allan Piercy is a seasoned vet who worked in a rural clinic in South Taranaki for 20 years before moving to Mid Canterbury, where he headed a large veterinary practice. His primary focus was on dairy cattle, preventive medicine, and ensuring economic returns for farmers. Recognising that many animal health and production issues stemmed from poor soil nutrition and structure, Allan founded Agraforum New Zealand in 2007, aimed at addressing animal health and production issues through improved soil and crop management. Allan’s guiding principle is, “Correct the cause of a problem, don’t continue to treat the symptoms.” Contact Agraforum New Zealand 0800 488 118 Allan: 0274 485