Biological organism use is common practice in other industries and in other parts of
the world, however they have not been explored here in New Zealand on fodder crops to increase the dry matter yield whilst alleviating soil borne pathogens. This trial was designed to gauge their potential.
Based on Beef and Lamb New Zealand supplementary feed guide 2020, kale costs 31 cents a kgDM to purchase as supplementary feed.
Control produced 15,309 kg DM/Ha or $4,745.79
Superzyme treated 16,853 kg DM/Ha or $5,224.43
Superzyme treatment equating to an added value of supplementary feed of $478.54 per hectare over the control.
Superzyme was applied at 200 grams per hectare at a cost of $36.80/ Ha.
Therefore, the profit benefit per hectare was $441.74 based on the cost projection of Kale three years ago, which we can assume has increased. This paddock on Keeley Farms was a total of 58Ha with a potential increased profitability of $25,620.92.
This is a second year trial on this Keeley Farm block and although the increase of yield this year from Superzyme addition was much lower than the first year where Superzyme was added, compared to the control block, there is still significant profit .
The added advantages over the profitability aspect of Superzyme is the increased microbial populations. In addition to increasing the fertility of the soil, the healthy microbial populations play an essential role in nutrient cycles that are fundamentally important to life on the planet, restoration of soils and our sustainability.
