Fert Focus by Tow and Fert

This episode comes off the back of a live Q&A session with Canaan Ahu. Canaan talks about Autumn Fert Programmes, Round Length and Cover all important topics leading into winter months and also answers Tow and Fert customers questions about foliar fertiliser and the versatile Tow and Fert liquid fertiliser sprayer.

This podcast is a recording of that live session. Enjoy!

We're back!! In Christchurch with Canaan Ahu that is. In our second episode of Fert Focus we chatted to Canaan about the Align Farms Regen Trial so, one year on we sat down with him again to talk about all that has happened in the last 12 months. From his merging with Soil Matters, a Christchurch based Soil Consultancy to the Align Farms Regen Trial and much more we catchup on where things have been, where they are at and where they are going for all things farming.

7 years is a long time to run a farming trial...but with so many variables and things one can change on a farming system Professor Dan Donaghy wanted to make sure he and his research team covered everything they possibly could.  Whenua Haumanu is a 7-year research project into both conventional and regenerative farming practices to determine methods of farming and how they can both be improved from an output and environmental point of view.

Dan says the research program intends to be the most comprehensive study undertaken of pastoral systems and covers dairy, cattle, and sheep.

In this episode Mike and Jolyon catch up with Dan and Technician Ben Carter to talk about the early stages of the trial, what they are doing, measuring and how they are doing it. This is a fascinating look into this world-leading, $26 million trial that is taking a NZ Inc. approach in terms of its partners.

In this episode, we talk to Durell Hammond, Agronomist, and entrepreneur about how he and his company Fertec, are changing the game of fertilizer application in the horticulture industry in Queensland, Australia.

Durell has over 25 years of experience working with liquid fertilizers yet finding the Tow and Fert only 12 months ago has opened up all sorts of opportunities for applying products such as Fertec's micronized gypsum product, Entra. Durell has a terrific story, and his approach to fertilizer application and changing the game for economic and environmental benefit is one that many of us can learn from.

This is a fascinating listen and one that is sure to enhance listeners' knowledge and enthusiasm for their Tow and Fert.

For ten years Chris Reymer has been applying liquidised nitrogen products using a mixing station and boom sprayer. He knew the results were good but the method of mixing and application was becoming frustrating and slow. One of his workers, frustrated at clogging nozzles, found the Tow and Fert; the rest is history, as they say.

Now Chris is contracting across the Waikato, learning as he goes and enjoying the process and the results his clients are getting.

He's been called Mr Tow and Fert and his knowledge of dairy farming and the Tow and Fert is unparralled. In this episode we asked our audience for their questions and added some of the most common ones we get asked.

Joining us is Neil Parker our Australian Sales Manager, also a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to Tow and Fert and their operations. This is fun-filled, educational podcast that touches on the Tow and Fert operation, suitable products for the Tow and Fert, and the odd bit of Kiwi-Aussie banter to keep things entertaining.

We hope you enjoy!

On the back of our Podcast Wintering in the Deep South - with Georgie Galloway, who has used FishIt with great success on her farm we talk to Richard Diack General Manager of FishIt about their product, how it works and what it does.

Disclaimer// Tow and Fert and Metalform do not make recommendations for products to use on your farm. We recommend reaching out to the companies we talk to in order to educate yourself on the benefits of their products and whether they are a good fit for your farm. All products or companies we do interview provide products that are compatible with your Tow and Fert Machine.

Georgie Galloway has come a long way in the last few years. Running a wintering farm with her boss Graeme in Southland, Georgie has been the catalyst for change and growth in finding a new and better way of growing grass for bailage and kale crops. When Graeme ran out of solid Urea halfway through application in a paddock they thought they would clearly see the difference. They didn't. And that led them down the path of trying new things.

Their path has taken them to a Fish Hydrosylate, FishIt, and in combination with other products they have developed and evolved their farm over 3-4 years with amazing and inspiring results. 

In this PodCast we talk to Georgie about where she has come from, what she has done on the farm and the recognition she and Graeme are now getting from the local authorities. We also touch on the media perspective of wintering animals in the deep south and some of the solutions she has put into play on the farm.

Grant Richards is a man on a mission. A trained animal and human nutritionist and agronomist Grant's work has taken him all over New Zealand helping farmers turn around their farming practices. 

Grant has a simple philosophy "Join the dots". Simply put, this means when he meets with a new client he is looking for the causes of the problems they are facing and working through the processes to diagnose, treat, and fix any problems down on the farm. He is looking to join the dots to find the cause and then fix the problem. He is no 'ambulance at the bottom of the cliff' man and he keeps a very transparent and simple business model: he doesn't sell fertiliser, or animal health products or anything else. In fact, Grant is simply your farm consultant and he will recommend what he knows will fix the problems a farmer is having.

Grant helps his clients to create a farm that is thriving for the animals, the environment, and the business. It is a holistic approach to farming that renders remarkable results when put into practice.

Have a listen to find out more about Grant, his philosophy and his business approach. Enjoy.

Jeff Rutton started JT AgSpreading shortly after selling the family farm. He purchased the Multi 4000 from the new owners and went out contracting. When last year's 190 units N/Ha went into force Jeff's business took off. Now with three Multi 4000's on the fleet and Multi 1000 as well, Jeff is seeing clear results on his client's farms that suggest the regulations are having a positive effect on farms and farmers systems, growing more grass and producing more milk with healthier, happier cows.

Jeff has pioneered a test and measure approach with his clients ensuring he can prove to prospects that the foliar application of fert through a Tow and Fert will have a positive impact on their farm. In this episode, Mike and Jolyon quiz Jeff on what he has seen on-farm, why the results he sees are relatively easy to achieve, and what the future holds for the application of fertiliser in a foliar form.

Earlier this year we caught up with Canaan Ahu of Agrownomics to talk about the Future of Farming and to review the Align Farms Virtual Field day from last year (2021).

Canaan is a passionate soils consultant/agronomist and in this episode, we talk to Canaan about what led him down the foliar-applied path, how it has impacted what he practices today, the results his clients are achieving on-farm and how farmers can start on their own regenerative journey.

This is a fascinating insight into the mind and business of a real mover and shaker in the fertiliser and farming world and we know you will enjoy the listen.

Episode One of Fert Focus presented us with two fantastic opportunities to review the farming practices of Align Farms in Ashburton, New Zealand and Miah Smith's Wilith Farm in Atiamuri in the Central North Island. Align Farms are 2 years into their Trial conversion and Miah has transitioned his entire farm, over 4 years to a regenerative model.

Prior to recording the podcast Align Farms released their trail revision and data making for some interesting discussion points. They are running a 1/2 conventional and 1/2 regenerative trial on their Clareview Farm and documenting and comparing the results. 2 years in it makes for an interesting comparison.

For Miah Smith and his farm, the change to a regenerative model is complete and some of the changes are startling. From reducing to a once-a-day milking model Miah has created a farm that is more profitable, more environmentally friendly with happier and healthier cows and happier and healthier workers.

We look at the comparisons between the two systems, how the Tow and Fert has assisted both farms in making the change, and discuss how farmers can begin their own journey of change by testing and measuring what they do through trials.

On Fert Focus we want to ensure we cover topics that Tow and Fert users and farmers want to know more about so please let us know your thoughts and what interests you so we can find the people you want to hear from to learn more about improving our farming systems. Email jolyon.ludbrook@metalform.co.nz.