Rising costs of Gypsum leads farmers to NatraMin Cal-S. The benefits of improved soil just keep on cropping up!
Product Range: NatraMin Cal-S
Region: Aratula, QLD
- Friable soil
- Reduced cultivation time
- Reduced soil compaction
- Improved water penetration
- Increased feeder roots
- Cost effective
When AgSolutions last spoke with John Abbott about his results he was preparing his 2012 budget and noted;
With Gypsum becoming too expensive as a soil conditioner, other growers using NatraMin recommended we incorporate NatraMin Cal-S into our cropping program to soften our soils. NatraMin is not expensive when we consider the long-term benefits. We are now seeing the results for sticking to the program and improving the soil structure and nutrition with NatraMin Cal-S.”
The benefits of improved soil condition have a total flow-on effect; the benefits that farmers experience are numerous. John has started to really reap the rewards of a managed and monitored AgSolutions Soil Test Program.
Legume cover crops have recently been combined with NatraMin to improve moisture retention and soil health. Soil testing allows John to monitor paddocks and requirements.
Where legumes were used in rotation we have measured an increase of 36 ppm of stored Nitrogen in the soil for the next crop.”
Great Soil Results!
NatraMin has reduced soil compaction from harvesters and wheel tracks where our heavy soils would set like concrete. Our carrots come out of the ground cleaner requiring less washing resulting in less soil going out the front gate. I can’t believe how friable our clay soils have remained, even after irrigating. There are more feeder roots on our carrots and softer soils grow a healthier, straight carrot. Water penetration has improved with a decrease in water run-off and soil crusting right across our farms.”
Last year John increased the application rate of NatraMin Cal-S on country that flooded to speed up its recovery so that he could get a crop back in the ground as soon as possible. Improvement in soil structure is across the board in all soil types as the soil remains friable after cultivation. “It doesn’t set hard like it used to. We don’t have to go back over ground after rain so there is no lapse in time prior to planting.”
NatraMin forms part of the Abbott’s rotation now, incorporated at 500kg/ha 6 weeks prior to planting. John concludes, “It’s now just a top up application each year that we justify due to our soil types, the yields we’re removing, and the amount of compaction our soils endure at harvest time.”
Since first using NatraMin 4 years ago we’ve reduced our cultivation time by 1, and sometimes 2 workings for preparing our ground prior to planting. This is a massive saving for us in both fuel and time – and can mean the difference of getting a crop in the ground.”