Are you concerned about the rising costs of production and fertilizers? Attend a presentation on alternative fertilizers that may assist you with your future planning and have your say on where research should be heading.
Betsy Kettle, Tutor in Primary Industries (Horticulture and Agriculture) for NorthTec. will be reporting on existing studies done by Crown Research Institutes on alternatives to conventional manufactured fertilizers.
She needs feedback from land owners on what they think of these alternatives, so the Crown Research Institutes will know where additional research is needed.
Your feedback is needed on what you have used for fertilizers, what options have you have tried, and what will happen to your farming practices if the price becomes too volatile to plan for.
Topics to be covered:
The Economic Benefits of Dung Beetles:
These increase soil aeration, pull manure down into the soil as fertilizer, break up pest and disease cycles by burying dung. One species has been successfully introduced into New Zealand. Do we want other species for other climates and soil types introduced??
The Economic Benefits of Biochar:
Currently under study at Massey for it’s potential as a “permanent” form of organic matter in the soil that holds onto fertilizers, increases aeration, allows pH buffering.
The Economic Benefits of Ag-Bag Composting:
A large scale form of fertilizer manufacturing done in a modified silage bag system with forced aeration eliminates odours, leachate and turning. Trials have already been conducted in the North Island.
The Economic Benefits of City to Farm Composting:
Austrian cities divert over 50% of their organic wastes to farms where it is composted. Farmers have contracts and can on-sell the compost. This type of rural composting is common in the USA, Europe and Australia. Comparison of the nutrient value of compost as compared with NPK fertilizers. Research on the productivity benefits from Compost NZ.
The Economic Benefits of Vermiliquid:
For phosphorus release – Australian CSIRO studies indicate that the use of worm-tea can release phosphorus that is locked up in the soil. Large scale worm farming as a method of fertilizer manufacturer based on composted urban food scraps.
The Economic Benefits of Raupo to Ethanol:
Studies from the USA indicate that raupo could produce the same volume of ethanol per hectare as corn but without the fertilizers, pesticides or planting. Small scale, truck mounted distillation plants are being designed. The leftover mash is also a fertilizer.
Venue:
Kaukapakapa Hall
Thursday 23rd April 2009
2pm – 4pm
Gold coin entry
For more information contact:
Sandie on 09 420 5624 or Bernadette rgm_pbb@xtra.co.nz