AgriGanics - Affordable solutions for sustainable agriculture

AgriGanics

September 2018


In this issue:

  • World Wide Agriculture 2018: Best conference ever
  • Success at TeenAg
  • Around the traps

World Wide Agriculture 2018: Best conference ever

We are back from the 4th World Wide Agriculture conference in Columbia, Missouri - an event described at the best WWAG conference ever.

Comments from delegates include:

"It was packed with practical information and sound science."

"World-class set of speakers who delivered both cutting-edge and practical agronomic and economic information that was relevant to the present, but also forward-looking. It was an amazing conference."

"You guys did an outstanding job in putting together a tremendous conference."

The next WWAG conference will be 2020 - date and venue to be decided. Stand by for details in coming newsletters.

Success at TeenAg

Congratulations to Angus Grant (16) and Nick O'Connor (15), who beat 13 other teams to take home the TeenAg teams' title in Invercargill recently.

AgriGanics is proud to be one of the pair's sponsors, doing our bit to encourage young people into the rural sector.

The two boys are from St Bede's College. Angus lives in Christchurch and runs 160 ewes on neighbours' lifestyle blocks, while Nick is from a 600-cow diary farm near Westport.

Around the traps

Spring is almost here, after a winter to remember.

Given how the cropping season was many of our cropping clients had better-than-anticipated yields and quality crops. Some even ended up with crops making high-end markets for the first time.

Calving is going well for our dairy farmers. The weather has been kind and there seems to be plenty of grass in front of the cows. Let's hope the milk price holds up.

Sheep and beef farmers: Good to see it's your turn in the sun - both in regard to lambing time and the market, with lamb prices looking like they will be good again this year.

If you have any questions or want advice on Soil fertility or if you need some Soil Mapping done as always, give us a call.


www.agriganics.com

AgriGanics Ltd
P O Box 79, Hororata 7544, Canterbury | Cell +64 275 760 303


Precision soil maping Sincocin

AgriGanics

April 2017


In this issue:

  • World Wide Agriculture 2018: Missouri, 25-27 July
  • Around the traps

World Wide Agriculture 2018: Missouri, 25-27 July

WWAG 2018 is only 2.5 months away. Have you booked yet?

This year’s conference celebrates the work of Dr Albrecht and it’s shaping up to be a cracker of a conference. The three days include a field trip to Sanborn Field and Bradford Research Farm, places where Dr Albrecht carried out much of his research.

We have excellent speakers lined up – from scientists and consultants, through to soil specialists and hands-on farmers – coming from South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Registrations are sitting at record numbers, at this point pre-conference. Heads up that the early bird special finishes 1 May.

Please note: There is limited room in Missouri University’s Monsanto Auditorium, so when it’s full, additional attendees will watch via livestream from a separate auditorium.

See full list of speakers and topics »

Around the traps

What a funny old summer: Too wet, then too dry. It’s been hard for all –whether you’re cropping, dairy or sheep and beef. But, at least we’re enjoying an amazing autumn.

Feedback from cropping clients is that yields were down, but their seed reps are reporting that they fared better than most. Dairy and sheep/beef clients found November and December a struggle, but are sitting pretty now.

Back at AgriGanics HQ, the year started off busy and hasn’t slowed down. We travelled to Napa for a vineyard soil course in February. Napa Valley grape growers get up to US$17,000 per tonne and, if they want yield and quality, the only way they’re achieving this is through the Albrecht-Kinsey programme. If you’re going to this year’s WWAG conference, you’ll hear more about yield/quality optimisation.

While in the States, we took the opportunity to firm up conference logistics by calling into Missouri University on the way home.

Enjoy what’s left of autumn and here’s hoping for a kind winter.

As always, give us a call if you have any questions or want advice.


www.agriganics.com

AgriGanics Ltd
P O Box 79, Hororata 7544, Canterbury | Cell +64 275 760 303


Precision soil maping Sincocin

AgriGanics

February 2017


In this issue:

  • World Wide Agriculture Conference 2017
  • Meet Dr Albrecht's granddaughter Anne Peret
  • Report from Bill Brush water course
  • AgriGanics expands
  • Around the traps

World Wide Agriculture 2017: On-line registrations now open

On-line registrations are now open for the World Wide Agriculture Conference 2017.

It will be held 5-6 July at Lincoln University, followed by the farm tour on 7 July - to Rhodes Hill (dairy and cropping) and Belmont Farm (cropping and fattening). Many thanks to the Webster Family. Guest speaker Dick Tayler will open the conference and speak at Wednesday's dinner. Dick was New Zealand's 1974 Commonwealth gold medalist in the 10,000 metres and has held many New Zealand titles over 1500m to 10,000m distances. He is a popular speaker, known for mixing the serious with the lighthearted.

The complete speaker list is up on the WWAG website and includes Stephanie Howard (New Zealand), Dr Don Huber (US), Neal Kinsey (US), Bob Perry (US), Peter Eggers (Canada), Joan Timmermans (Netherlands), Dr Dale Blevins (US), Peter Norwood (Australia) and Tim Reinbott (US).

Farmer speakers are South Canterbury dairy farmer Nathan Lamborne, Australian sheep/beef and cropping farmer Rob Sutherland, South Canterbury sheep/dairy farmer Herstall Ulrich and North Canterbury dairy farmers Bryan and Lisette Burrows.

For more details, visit the conference website.

Meet Dr Albrecht's granddaughter Anne Peret

Anne Peret is Dr W.A. Albrecht's granddaughter and patron of the WWAG Albrecht Scholarship, which is worth $2000 and facilitates attendance of a young person to the WWAG conference. Sally and I had the pleasure of meeting Anne and her mother, Barbara, in Washington DC in November.

Learn more about the scholarship

Close up with bicarbonates in our water

I went to Bill Brush's water course in St Louis Missouri in December. It is a very interesting approach and I came away realising that we too need to be looking at bicarbonates in our water - whether it is irrigation or rain water. Bicarbonates strip out the calcium in our soil, so we need to allow for this.

New team member

Pete Phillips joins the AgriGanics' team, consulting and servicing our growing client base.

Based in Mayfield, Mid Canterbury, Pete has a background in dairying and cropping, including several years in the UK and Australia. He has also been a dairy consultant with World Wide Sires. "I'm looking forward to working with forward-thinking farmers, who understand the importance of investing in their soil's health for the long term."

Around the traps

We hope the Christmas and New Year period provided an opportunity for some downtime with family. While the nature of farming means that isn't always possible, we can but try. As the team drives around the countryside, crops in general are looking good. Clients are reporting some positive yields, which is great to hear.

Carrot seed
This carrot seed crop at Dory is looking brilliant. The property has been in the Kinsey-Albrecht programme for three years.

Onions
In year six of the Kinsey-Albrecht programme, these onions at Pendarves are heading towards a great yield.

As always, give us a call if you have any questions or want any advice.


www.agriganics.com

AgriGanics Ltd
P O Box 79, Hororata 7544, Canterbury | Cell +64 275 760 303


Precision soil maping Sincocin Full Circle Nutrition

WWAG

WWAG 2016 Update

Hi all

We hope you are well and the season is treating you kindly.

Planning for the WWAG 2016 conference in Traralgon from 20-22 July is progressing well and registrations are rolling in.

WWAG 2016 speakers
If you haven't already looked at this year's speakers, do take the time to visit www.wwag.co.nz/speakers-2016

There are some familiar faces, but also many new ones - and plenty of new presentation topics.

  • Sam Kekovich is guest speaker and will open the conference. Some of you may know Sam from his days of playing VRL and he also fronts the popular TV adverts to promote lamb within Australia.
  • The new faces include Roelie Van Reenen (South Africa), York Bayer (Germany), Dr Don Huber (Idaho, USA) and Bo Shropshire (California, USA).

Post-conference farm bus tour
On 22 July, it's the WWAG Farm Bus Tour. We will be visiting a vege grower, mixed cropping operation and a dairy farm.

Early bird pricing
The early bird special prices finish on Wednesday 1 June, so do take advantage of the discount.

Dr W. A. Albrecht Scholarship
This scholarship is for 15 to 20 year olds, living in Australia. If you know of anyone who should be applying, send them to www.wwag.co.nz for all the details.

Kinsey Advanced 1 soil course
Peter Norwood is hosting a Kinsey Advanced 1 soil course on July 25-27 in Traralgon. Details, including cost and how to register, can be found on www.wwag.co.nz

Book your accommodation early
If you are planning to attend WWAG or the Kinsey course, book your accommodation early. Traralgon is a small and popular town (being only two hours from the Melbourne airport).

We are looking forward to catching up with many of you in July in Traralgon.

Regards
Bruce and the team

AgriGanics

April 2016


In this issue:

  • World Wide Agriculture 2016: Registrations rolling in
  • Kinsey Advanced 1 course
  • Around the traps

World Wide Agriculture 2016:
Registrations rolling in

On the back of the first conference's success, registrations are steadily building, as July approaches. The second World Wide Agriculture conference is being held on 20-22 July 2016 in Traralgon, Victoria.

There have been a couple of tweaks to the programme, including the addition of a sixth farmer speaker - Brody Kennedy of East Gippsland, who milks 400 cows on dryland. He calves three-quarters of the cows in autumn and 80 per cent of his 320ha is in lucerne/chicory/tonic/prairie pasture.

Visit the conference website for more details on speakers, costs, the tour and to register.

Kinsey Advanced 1 course

If you've been meaning to complete a Kinsey Advanced 1 course, then the three-day course immediately following the World Wide Agriculture conference is a great opportunity to do so.

Full Circle Nutrition Australia's Peter Norwood is facilitating the course, which will run from 25-27 July, also in Traralgon.

For more details, email Peter.

Around the traps

AgriGanics' cropping clients have enjoyed great yields this season, particularly in small seed crops. They are attributing their success to an overall programme of care, rather than any one specific action.

Dairy farmers are doing it tough right now, but we'd encourage you keep your eye on the long game and concentrate on doing the basics well. Prioritise soil testing, so you spend your fert budget on the nutrients you actually need.

As always, give us a call if you have any questions or want any advice, as we head into the winter months.


www.agriganics.com

AgriGanics Ltd
P O Box 79, Hororata 7544, Canterbury | Cell +64 275 760 303


Precision soil maping Sincocin Full Circle Nutrition

December 2015


In this issue:

  • World Wide Agriculture 2016: Registrations now open
  • DVD Xmas sale
  • Kinsey Advanced 1 course
  • Around the traps

World Wide Agriculture 2016: Registrations now open

Registrations are open for the second World Wide Agriculture conference - on 20-22 July 2016 in Traralgon, Victoria (1 3/4 hours from Central Melbourne. It's shaping up to be an excellent three days, with a large number of international scientists and experts, as well as farmer speakers from both sides of the ditch.

Guest speaker is ARL legend and Australian lamb ambassador, Sam Kekovich. Sam promoted lamb through a series of quick-witted, satirical Australia Day addresses to the nation. He's opening the conference and speaking at the dinner on Wednesday night.

Speakers include internationally-renowned plant pathologist Dr Don Huber. The Professor Emeritus of Purdue University in the United States is an expert in genetically-modified organisms. He will be speaking on the overuse of glysophate and its affect on yields.

Thanks to our new sponsors: Latrobe City, Caithness Precision Seeding and Spreading, and Rabar Animal Nutrition.

Visit the conference website for details on speakers, costs, the tour and to register.

DVD Xmas sale

Did you know you can purchase recordings from the 2015 World Wide Agriculture conference? It's a great way to learn from international experts, without leaving home. The 2015 speakers included Neil Kinsey, Bill Brush and Peter Norwood. You can buy DVDs individually or the entire conference set of 10 DVDs.

Full set: $275 (usually $339.25)
Single DVDs: $29.95 (usually $34.45)
To purchase, visit the WWAG website shop

Kinsey Advanced 1 course

Peter Norwood from Full Circle Nutrition Australia is running a Kinsey Advanced 1 course in Traralgon, 25-27 July. For more details, email Peter

Around the traps

Despite the dry start to spring, many of our dairy farming clients are reporting that they have the most feed on hand that they've enjoyed for a long time. One commented that he's just cut the most silage ever, for this time of the year.

Meanwhile, cropping clients are also happy. These photos of maize, carrot seed and peas were taken around Mid Canterbury on 2 December.


Maize, Mid Canterbury, 2 December 2015


Carrot seed, Mid Canterbury, 2 December 2015


Peas, Mid Canterbury, 2 December 2015

Feel free to give us a call if you want to discuss which AgriGanics products or services may be helpful at this time.

Finally, have a great Christmas and we hope you get a breather sometime over the break.


www.agriganics.com

AgriGanics Ltd
P O Box 79, Hororata 7544, Canterbury | Cell +64 275 760 303


BioPlus Precision soil maping Sincocin Guardar Full Circle Nutrition

August 2015


In this issue:

  • World Wide Agriculture conference summary
  • Farm tour: Germany and Poland, June 2016
  • Around the traps

World Wide Agriculture conference summary

About 160 people - from New Zealand and Australia - descended on Ashburton for the inaugural WWAG conference. The two-day event was a great success, thanks to the speakers and attendees.

Organiser Bruce Hore says that several attendees commented that it was the best conference they had been to. "That's great feedback and gives us the confidence to make 2016 better still."

The farm tour included a visit to Dean Pye

Attendee comments

"Great job. I got heaps out of it."

"Going forward, I'd like to give the system a crack."

"I got the green bible (Hands on Agronomy) from the library, so I'll be fizzing."

Conference DVDs

DVDs of individual speakers can be purchased for $29.95 each (plus GST and postage). Or purchase the whole conference set of DVDs for $295.00 (plus GST and postage).

Click here to buy DVD/s »

World Wide Agriculture 2016

Mark 20-22 July 2016 in your diaries and begin checking out airfares to Traralgon, Victoria, Australia. On-line registrations will open in January on the World Wide Agriculture website. You are welcome to register an interest and we can send you an email when registrations open.

Visit website now »

Farm tour: Germany and Poland, June 2016

We are looking at organising a farm tour to Germany and Poland in June 2016. If you are interested, let us know. We need at least 20 people to make it viable.

Email us an expression of interest»

Around the traps

It may be nearly spring, but we have experienced some "real winter" conditions of late. Good thing the days are drawing out now and the sun will soon start to warm up the ground.

Thanks to world markets not behaving favourably from our perspective, we are going through some testing times. It's therefore more important than ever to know exactly which fert to apply and how much. As they say, "you need to measure to be able to manage". If you haven't done your soil testing already this year, do it now. Once you know where your soil is at, prioritise what it really needs - and don't apply what you don't need to.


www.agriganics.com

AgriGanics Ltd
P O Box 79, Hororata 7544, Canterbury | Cell +64 275 760 303


BioPlus Precision soil maping Sincocin Guardar Full Circle Nutrition

February 2015


In this issue:

  • A closer look at sandy soils
  • World Wide Agriculture conference - update
  • Fertiliser in a dry year
  • Around the traps

A closer look at sandy soils

Bruce is just back from a Kinsey-Albrecht "sands" course in Modesto California. The course attracted about 50 people - from South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, the US and New Zealand.

As its name suggests, this three-day course covered the management of sand-based soils, which operate to a different set of rules than standard soils. AgriGanics has several clients who deal with the challenges of sandy soils, including farmers on the West Coast of the South Island and golf course green keepers.

The key message from the course was: Apply enough nutrients to feed that specific crop for that season, as low TEC soils do not have the capacity to hold enough nutrients to feed the crop.


The Ratto brothers grow about 70 different vegetables at any one time on their 1200ha Modesto operation. Ray Ratto explains to the course participants that the Albrecht-Kinsey programme gives him better quality and tasting vegetables, with a longer shelf life.


Albrecht-Kinsey consultant Bill Brush shows course participants around his almond orchard, which yields up to 4400 pounds per acre (5000kg/ha), compared to the district norm of 2500 pounds per acre (2800kg/ha).

World Wide Agriculture conference - update

Scheduled for 22-24 June 2015 in Ashburton, the first World Wide Agriculture conference is gaining momentum with early registrations beginning to roll in. We have nine international and science speakers, plus five farmer speakers confirmed for the two conference days; the third day is dedicated to a farm tour. Visit the conference website for details on speakers, costs, the tour and to register.

Fertiliser in a dry year

It's shaping up to be a challenging season, but don't be tempted to scrimp on fert.

With the current dry, we recommend cropping farmers get their soil sampling done sooner than later, as we may need to include a K-displacement test. This adds eight to nine weeks on to the test turnaround.

When soils are very dry - and certain pre-disposing factors are in place - you can get a false pH reading, without doing a K-displacement test. A false pH can lead you to apply too much calcium, magnesium or potassium.

The pre-disposing factors are: nitrogen applied in the previous 30 days; 55kg/ha or more of sulphur applied over the previous six months; and/or the area has been heavily stocked over the past 30 days.

Around the traps

Despite being dry in parts of the country, AgriGanics' cropping clients are generally very happy and some people are even commenting that they're enjoying the best crops they've seen.

A soil mapping client - who then applied fertiliser using variable-rate application - reports that areas that never use to yield are now performing and he's seeing some paddocks producing their most even crops yet.

Dryland farmers are harvesting their crops right now, with pleasing yields of about 9t/ha for barley and 10t/ha for wheat.

Spud growers were happy with early spud yields, but are now seeing scab in some varieties.

Whatever your farming type, don't let the dry get to you. Keep your eye on the long game. Feel free to give us a call if you want to discuss which additional products or services may be helpful at this time.


www.agriganics.com

AgriGanics Ltd
P O Box 79, Hororata 7544, Canterbury | Cell +64 275 760 303


BioPlus Precision soil maping Sincocin Guardar Full Circle Nutrition

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