New Zealand is renowned for its lush pastures and thriving dairy industry, but maintaining high-quality grazing can be a challenge. Soil health is the foundation of productive pastures, and farmers are increasingly looking for sustainable ways to enhance it. Fulvic acid, a natural compound found in humates, is emerging as a powerful tool to improve soil health and, in turn, boost pasture productivity.
What is Fulvic Acid?
Fulvic acid is a highly bioactive, water-soluble organic compound derived from decomposed plant and microbial matter. It is a component of humic substances, which are critical for maintaining soil fertility. Fulvic acid works at the molecular level, improving nutrient availability, soil structure, and microbial activity, all of which contribute to healthier pastures.
Enhancing Soil Health with Fulvic Acid
- Improved Nutrient Uptake:Fulvic acid acts as a natural chelator, binding to essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace minerals. It makes these nutrients more soluble and accessible to plants, ensuring they are absorbed efficiently by pasture grasses. This enhanced nutrient uptake leads to more vigorous growth and better forage quality for grazing animals.
- Boosting Microbial Activity: Healthy soil relies on a thriving microbial ecosystem. Fulvic acid provides an energy source for beneficial soil microbes, promoting their activity and diversity. These microbes play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, and suppressing soil-borne pathogens, all of which contribute to robust pasture growth.
- Improved Soil Structure: Fulvic acid helps improve soil aggregation, reducing compaction and increasing aeration. This leads to better water infiltration and retention, especially in drought-prone areas. Well-structured soils also allow roots to penetrate more deeply, giving pasture plants access to moisture and nutrients stored in lower soil layers.
- Neutralizing Soil pH: Many New Zealand farms face challenges with acidic soils. Fulvic acid can buffer soil pH, creating a more balanced environment for nutrient availability and plant growth. This can reduce the reliance on lime and other chemical amendments over time.
More Nutritious Pasture for Grazing
Pasture productivity is not just about volume; it’s also about quality. The enhanced nutrient availability facilitated by fulvic acid results in more nutrient-dense forage. This means dairy cows receive a better balance of minerals and nutrients, which can lead to:
- Improved Milk Production: Healthier cows fed with nutrient-rich pasture tend to produce higher-quality milk with better yields.
- Enhanced Animal Health: Adequate mineral intake can improve immunity and reduce the risk of metabolic disorders, benefiting overall herd health.
- Cost Savings: With better pasture quality, farmers can reduce reliance on supplemental feed and mineral additives, saving money in the long run.
Incorporating fulvic acid into your fertiliser plan is simple with our Fulvic Express Liquid. It is suitable as a foliar fertiliser or with other water-soluble fertilisers and bio-stimulants as a chelating agent. Recommended application rates is 5L per ha and as it is BioGro Certified it can be used on organic as well as conventional farms.