Is compost the fertiliser of the future?
| Project start date: | 14 August 2009 |
| Project end date: | 08 October 2012 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | NSW |
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Summary
With increases in fertiliser prices and a perceived reduction in response to traditional products, producers in the southern New England, NSW wanted to examine alternate ways to increase soil fertility and optimise pasture production and maximise profitability. These interests were coincident with an increased awareness by producers of the importance of soil organic carbon and microbial processes that lead to improved soil health and increased nutrient availability to pastures.
The objective of the project was to contrast the effects of a humified compost to superphosphate or other on-farm fertilisers on pasture performance. Growth rates of untreated pastures were increased by the application of compost but response to superphosphate was greater.
This project has demonstrated modest pasture responses to compost, but it appears effectiveness is increasing over time which warrants further observation.
Objectives
The objective of the project was to contrast the effects on pasture performance of a humified compost to superphosphate or other on-farm fertilisers. Positive effects would enable a more consistently high turn off of kilograms of beef per hectare in spite of unreliable weather patterns.
Progress
There was a trend for increasing pasture response to compost following the second application. The most cost effective application rates were 500 kg/ha compost and 260 kg/ha superphosphate which increased production at the rate of $130 and $51 per tonne extra pasture respectively.
Pasture responses to superphosphate were associated with increases in white clover content, major measures of pasture quality, soil phosphorus, sulphur and organic carbon but responses to compost were not. Trace mineral concentrations of pasture harvested from compost treatment were higher but there were no clear associations with measures of soil biology.
Annual stocking and pasture growth rates from 15 paddocks on four participating properties were 17 DSE/ha and 20 kg DM/ha/day respectively. Compost increased these by 0.4 DSE/ha (2%) and 1.4 kg DM/ha/d (7%).
