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 the Beef and Lamb New Zealand supplementary feed guide, kale at 16% DM costs 31 cents a kg to purchase as supplementary feed.
Dry matter difference between Control and T1 – Superzyme™ treated is 6,243 kg per hectare equating to an added value of supplementary feed of $1,935.33 per hectare over the control.
Superzyme was applied at 200 grams per hectare at a cost of $35.85, which provided the grower with an additional $1,899.48 per hectare of supplementary feed. Superzyme plots however reached a higher average dry matter of 17.85 % than the 16% that these cost projections are based on, so the actual benefit to the Keeley Farms is even more.
Further to the increased biological fertility of soil achieved, the promotion of healthy microbial populations plays an essential role in nutrient cycles that are fundamentally important to life on the planet, restoration of soils and sustainability.
