Holistic Nutrition Approach
‘Guess work’ creates the potential for significant risk of financial losses caused by (a) fertiliser wastage and/or (b) reduced productivity and quality.
The Holistic nutrition approach simply takes the potentially costly ‘guess work’ out of decisions!
Over the years ‘Nutrient removal ‘ data has been published in scientific literature for most crops and pastures, and this shows all the nutrients and their concentrations that are required/removed at harvest in a tonne of grain (crops) and dry matter (pastures & hay/silage crops).
This should be the foundation for most input decisions.
Example: The following graphs show both the major nutrients and trace elements that are required/removed (grazing &/or hay/silage cut) in a 3t/ha. mixed pasture;
BE AWARE: ALL the nutrients on both graphs are REQUIRED for both the yield and quality of the pasture and animal production. There individual nutritional roles are largely interrelated and interdependent , and so a Holistic Nutrition Approach to optimise the health of and productivity from the paddock and the animal is necessary;
Nutrient | Role in animals | Role in plants |
Nitrogen (N) | Fundamental for cellular structure in animals, for production of proteins and amino acids. | Essential component of the proteins that build cell material and plant tissue. Necessary for the function of other essential biochemical agents, including chlorophyll (which makes photosynthesis possible), many enzymes. |
Phosphorus (P) | Bone & teeth. | Part of nucleic acids, function in energy transfer. |
Potassium (K) | Muscle & nerve function. | Water balance, (leaf) stomatal opening and enzyme activator. |
Sulphur (S) | Important role in protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy metabolism. | Sulphur is essential for nitrogen-fixing nodules on legumes. Necessary in the formation of chlorophyll. Used in the processes of producing proteins, amino acids, enzymes and vitamins. Assists in resistance to disease, aids in growth, and in seed formation. |
Calcium (Ca) | Bones & teeth. | Cell wall structure, membrane permeability |
Magnesium (Mg) | Nervous system. Calcium & phosphorus metabolism. | Part of chlorophyll, enzyme activator |
Zinc (Zn) | Improves disease resistance. Heals wounds quicker. Prevents cracked hooves. Reduces skin lesions. Improves growth, appetite, fertility and reproduction. | Part of enzymes, enzyme activator. |
Copper (Cu) | Anaemia. | Electron carrier in photosynthesis, part of enzyme |
Manganese (Mn) | Skeletal development. | Involved in nitrate reduction. Photosynthesis, enzyme activator |
Boron (B) | Palatability. Nitrogen ultilisation. Increase plant energy. Suppress surplus protein. | Improves calcium and nitrogen utilisation. Essential for pollen germination. |
Cobalt (Co) | Synthesis of B 12 in rumen | Essential in the symbiotic fixation of nitrogen. |
Molybdenum (Mo) | Inactivates copper in rumen. Aids digestion. | Enzyme constituent, nitrogen metabolism |
The health and productivity of our soils, pastures, crops and animals depend on these nutrients being readily available. Ignoring one or more WILL create a limiting factor in achieving optimum productivity and profitability.
Over applying any of these nutrients WILL also create a limiting factor in achieving optimum productivity and profitability.
The holistic nutrition approach uses both soil (solid) and leaf (liquid) applied nutrients to ensure the most balanced and cost-effective supply of what is required for optimum productivity and return.
Here’s a typical example:
Soil test results interpretation indicates;
– Potassium (potash)level is lower in the soil than ideal (due to years of grazing and hay cuts),
– Calcium and Magnesium are at a low soil level,
– pH 4.6 in water,
– Organic Matter (OM) of 5%
– Phosphorus is at a good level at 20ppm (Olsen)
– Sulphur level is lower in the soil than ideal,
– Zinc, Copper, Manganese and Boron levels are indicated as being low to very low in the soil.
Recommendations – Holistic Nutrition Approach:
(a) Soil apply 2.5-3.0t/ha. dolomitic lime in summer
(b) Soil apply 150kg/ha. SuperPotash 1&1 at season break, and again before shutting up for hay/silage production.
(c) Foliar apply 3L/ha. Pasture Plus at early ground cover & after each graze or hay cut.
