Nitrogen fixation by legumes can be greater than 10-200kg of Nitrogen per hectare per year, so crop rotation including a legume or the inclusion of legumes in pasture can be highly beneficial to increase production. Peanuts, Soybeans, Lucerne and the clover component in pastures are where the minerals and trace elements in rock mineral fertilisers generate quick responses to applications applied either prior to planting, or as a top dressing for existing lucerne and pastures.
We visit many properties in NSW and QLD and have had many farmers report that “legumes don’t grow on my place like they used to”. Over decades of farming, minerals and trace elements have leached from soil, and the good news is, once these farmers introduce NatraMin rock mineral fertiliser in their program, legumes start to return in both their improved and native pastures. In addition, livestock often have a grazing preference for pastures that have been re-mineralised with NatraMin.
Legume pastures are a high quality source of animal feed that are palatable, highly digestible and high in protein. Many graziers have recognised the huge potential that exists by using Nitrogen-fixing legumes such as lucerne, clover and medics to increase pasture productivity and reduce ongoing costs for Nitrogen inputs. Calcium and Phosphorus are often recognised as important, but let’s not forget Potassium, Sulphur and Silica, and trace elements such as Molybdenum, Copper, Cobalt, Selenium, Zinc and Boron. These are just a few of the wide range of minerals and trace elements in NatraMin, so if you have applied Nitrogen, Super Phosphate or Lime, I recommend that you make NatraMin your next input. When planting, legume and pasture seed can be safely spread with NatraMin.
Remember, a soil test can save you $$. It is easy to assume that a crop needs NPK but with a soil test, inputs can be tailored, which can often be more cost effective.
Give us a today on 1800 81 57 57 to book in a soil test to ensure the right fertiliser is applied at the right time.