SOLUTIONS What’s NEW? FERTILISER
Tracmap unit eases compliance pain
G
uaranteeing accurate placement of fertiliser and proving where it has been applied is easy when a Tracmap TML is installed in the tractor cab. Tracmap’s Southern North Island sales manager Marty Orange says Tracmap’s clever kit is saving farmers who spread their own fertiliser hours of time, money and stress, particularly when complying with the new nitrogen fertiliser cap and reporting requirements. “Our Tracmap TMLs provide a GPS guidance solution for farmers or their staff so they can place the fertiliser accurately in the right paddocks on the farm,” he says. All the information collected by the unit in the cab as the fertiliser is spread on each paddock is then sent directly to the farm office computer for proof of placement requirements. “Having that history of proof of placement automatically saved in your computer makes the reporting back to regional or national authorities really
simple and easy to manage because it’s all saved automatically in one place,” he says. Another advantage for self-spreaders who install a Tracmap TML unit is the ability for a list of paddocks to be uploaded into it from an office computer so any staff member can be given the task to spread the fertiliser. “Farmers can rest easy knowing it’s going on the right paddocks at the correct rates, and the unit is capturing all the proof of placement information required to meet reporting requirements.” “You don’t end up with fertiliser spread on the same paddocks that were done two weeks earlier, or fertiliser is spread at the wrong rate.” Tracmap’s technology integrates fully with most other fertiliser management software solutions, including from Ballance, FarmIQ and Ravensdown. Marty has clients of all ages and farm size using the TML units across his sales region of the lower North Island. “ Age is definitely not a barrier because
A Tracmap map in the cab shows where fertiliser is to be spread.
the units are so simple to use. One of my clients is in his seventies and he’s right into it.” Tracmap also has a GPS guidance system for farmers using K-line irrigation systems. It ensures lines are pulled to the same spot each time, ensuring even watering every time. Tracmap’s clients are supported from a New Zealand-based support centre, in Mosgiel, south of Dunedin. The company was set up by farmers for farmers, so there’s a real appreciation of the challenges faced by those working on farms. “When you call our 0800 support line you get a New Zealander on the phone to answer any questions.” More? Visit tracmap.com
Gypsum aids dairy factory wastewater
D
airy Factory wastewater (DFW) can be a useful resource for pasture and crops, however high sodium levels in the wastewater may accumulate in soil. Excess sodium can be detrimental to pasture and crop growth since it causes low soil water availability and poor soil structure. Soil structure effects may reduce the ability of the soil to receive DFW before surface ponding or runoff occurs. Gypsum is an ideal material to address any buildup of sodium in soils receiving DFW, extending the number of years that affected land remains useful for receiving wastewater. Gypsum can also enhance soil structure, water infiltration and drainage in the face of high sodium levels. Sodium in wastewater largely comes from the use of caustic soda and sodium 88
hypochlorite in cleaning and sterilising. Sodium is relatively easily leached and the role of gypsum is to accelerate that leaching to reduce the chance of sodium accumulation. Gypsum is hydrated calcium sulphate. Its application is a standard practice worldwide for addressing the build up of sodium in soils including soils receiving wastewaters. The combination of calcium and sulphate effectively address sodium. Calcium release from the partially soluble gypsum is faster than from lime (calcium carbonate). Gypsum is typically and most easily applied as a broadcast application to the soil surface. Incorporation of gypsum into the soil is not generally required as the gypsum can work through the profile of most soils. Many soils will have quite high
thresholds for sodium before soil structure is affected; this depends on the balance of the monovalent cations (sodium and potassium) with calcium and magnesium, the electrical conductivity of the soil. It also appears that soil resilience to sodium is increased by the organic content (lactose etc) in DFW. Gypsum can reduce surface runoff of phosphorus and other nutrients by improving water infiltration (through soil structural and chemical changes), by binding organic matter and soil particles together better and by increasing the ability of soil to drain and thus cope with larger water inputs. Gypsum also increases the binding of phosphate to soil minerals including calcium and reduces the susceptibility of all forms of phosphorus to drainage losses.
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | December 2021
