In the current environment it has become increasingly apparent that we need to look beyond the traditional use of artificial fertilisers to maintain healthy soil and productivity.
Traditionally farming practices and fertiliser application has largely been focused on the three key nutrients; Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK). Which are all lost in the exported removal of grain, fodder (Hay) and livestock. Other lost nutrients/micro nutrients and the soils biology on the other hand are often overlooked. The overuse of Urea and artificial fertiliser to Replace NPK has left some paddocks hard, acidic, and relatively unfertile. This narrow minded approach to fertiliser application over decades, has largely contributed to lowering productivity, limits crop choices, unsustainable farming and ultimately a farmers bottom line.
On the other hand with the use of organic based manure fertilisers these key nutrients can be met whilst contributing to a healthier soil not to its detriment. High nutrient fertilisers such as chook, pig, and cow manures are often not only the cheaper option based on just these 3 nutrients alone but they also contain a host of other nutrients beneficial to the biological health of the soil. Poultry manure for example contains all 13 of the essential plant nutrients that are used by plants. These include Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S), Manganese (MN), Copper (CU), Zinc (ZN), Chlorine (CI), Boron (B), Iron (Fe), and molybdenum (Mo). The amount of nutrients provided obviously depends on the nutrient content of the manure and the amount of manure spread per hectare.
