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SOIL TO SOUL MENTORING & CONSULTING SERVICES Consultation and Mentoring service Soil to Soul provides information to farmers, tailored to suit particular needs. Some options include:
Ø Initial once-off visit to assess farm and discuss your goals, challenges and requirements. Any further services required are discussed at this initial meeting.
Ø Soil evaluation and recommendations. Peter will visit to visually assess soil status and biological activity and collect the soil sample if required. A comprehensive analysis is obtained from Brookside Laboratories, USA. This provides a full analysis of nutrient status including trace elements, in a form that will show up imbalances between minerals. Mineral imbalance is often associated with weed and stock health challenges. Peter then interprets the results and writes a full report including recommendations for soil amendments. This is an independent service: where possible we give several options for sources of inputs. Samples may also be sent to the NZ Reams lab for indications of plant available nutrient levels. When soils are reasonably balanced we follow through with pasture tests. We recommend that tests be taken from one or two cull animals each year to check that the minerals are getting from the soil to the animal.
Ø Farm mentoringPeter provides ongoing assistance through several visits and telephone calls during the year, for an annual fee. An individual plan is drawn up with the farmer to meet particular requirements. Regular visits are especially helpful if you are just setting out on biological management, or if you want to convert your farm to an organic system. It is helpful to be able to discuss questions and problems as they arise so that solutions are found as soon as possible. For farmers who already have some experience in biological management, an initial visit followed by some regular phone-calls may be all that is needed.
Ø Recommendations on the use of biodynamic practises to improve soil biological activity and/or for managing pests and weeds – as required. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Value provided Implementing recommended soil and pasture management changes – mainly soil mineral balancing and application of biodynamic preparations generally results in:
- At least a 10% increase in production
- At least a 20% reduction in animal health costs
| “When we were in the early days of converting our farm to organic, Peter was very helpful in putting together a farm plan. This outlined the farm in areas of wet, dry pasture, fertile and less fertile areas, through soil testing. This way we could treat individual paddocks to fullest advantage. He suggested preparations to add to our fertiliser and rock applications which made a big difference to the worm/soil base, and many helpful ideas. He is very knowledgeable in the area of biodynamic farming and has followed these principles himself for many years." Christine Haigh, Matatoki Farm Cheese |
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