MEASURABLE SUCCESS

His annual fertiliser bill is $5000, just using Vitec with a few bags of urea, compared to $18000 for the recommended maintenance dressing of 15% potassic super promoted by the Dairy Board consultant and the MAF.

• A very large population of earthworms has developed and the soil is more open as dense zones are penetrated by worms.
• Manure and grass residues are rapidly broken down and incorporated into the soil improving the organic matter content.
• Root growth has increased (deeper) and drought resistance has improved — especially on the home block. Bottom block also improving rapidly.
• Flat weeds have been smothered out and grass/clover growth improved.
• Soils tests show big increases in available nutrients and ph as a more active organic cycle releases and recycles nutrients that have been locked in the soil. Soil testing laboratory recommends no fertiliser.
• Paddocks that had been harvested regularly for hay for many years and were totally run-out have fully recovered after 4 years of using nothing but Vitec.
• Paddocks recently leased from a neighbour that had no lime or fertiliser are rapidly responding to Vitec — moss and weeds are being suppressed by vigorous grass growth and pasture looks better than nearby pasture that received 600kg of 15% potassic super per year. The soil on this leased area is teeming with thousands of juvenile earthworms which are breaking down matted turf, manure and suppressed weeds.

Bryan's stock are a picture of health. Bryan even adds Vitec at 50ml/head to milk replacer in his calf rearing program. These calves have no scours and little sign of worms. His calves stand out with very glossy coats and alert behaviour.