Agrownomics

Agrownomics We are independent agronomists passionate about soil function & health

31/05/2026

GPS grid sampling

(Revive Ag) has a neat system for plotting gps coordinates, recording lab data and creating variable rate maps, that can be uploaded directly to the spreader. Technology is advancing quickly, our team are enjoying testing out the features.

14/05/2026

Excess N in pasture!

Natural N is cycling (biological on-ramp is improving), now we need to dial back applied N.

Sampling season is here!Special thanks to 3 Workshop Co and for helping set up our new electric over hydraulic soil cor...
12/05/2026

Sampling season is here!

Special thanks to 3 Workshop Co and for helping set up our new electric over hydraulic soil corer machine. Equipped with the Wintex1000 out of Denmark, its one smooth bit of kit

Improvements are proving significant for core accuracy + core sample speed. We look forward to putting it through its paces this testing season

05/05/2026

Glencree Farm (up the mighty Waikato)
The farm is firing again, water drains and the clover has come back to life.

This seasons DM production is on track for 14.5t/ha with 66 units of N. Cows have already sent 487ms average to factory, setting up for a new production PB.

Incredible summer and season,
That's fun farming!

Sensescence! We're starting to see seed-head in pastures across Canterbury, Waikato and Southland. What's happening: All...
20/11/2025

Sensescence!
We're starting to see seed-head in pastures across Canterbury, Waikato and Southland.

What's happening:
All plants that can make a fruit or seed will go reproductive when they reach maturity, or when they are sufficiently stressed.

Why now?
We see seed head in pasture when sunlight hours increase, soil temp lifts (above 16 degrees), air temp is consistently high, and moisture stress comes on in the plant. This is typically around show weekend in Canterbury (15th Nov), and can last until February.

What it means:
In perennial pastures, this means our pastures grow 1-2 leaves and then put up a seed head, sometimes only 10-12 days post grazing!
Feed quality drops, growth rates stall and production typically drops.

What can we do?
Long-term we can manage soil health, fertility and grazing to build strong, deep root systems to better handle the temperature and moisture stress.
Short term we can change plant regrowth with grazing interval and mowing.

QUESTION TIME:
1. How do you like to manage seed head in your pasture?
😀 pre-mow
😯 post-mow
💖 cut silage/baleage

2. What is the effect on performance?
e.g. what happens after you do intervene
does quality lift?

This week features vines in Marlborough, with Rebecca checking on plant health + how well the soil is supporting this se...
07/11/2025

This week features vines in Marlborough, with Rebecca checking on plant health + how well the soil is supporting this season

November is a crucial time to collect Petiole or SAP samples, like a blood-test for the plant. This allows us to know exactly what is happening in the plant currently, not what has already happened!

If anything needs adjusting, we have the time to make an amendment or prepare to manage differently.
Here are some potential interventions to consider:
- Nitrogen + Magnesium before Christmas for maximum leaf area and growth.
- Calcium after Christmas for strong skins, to prevent disease and splitting.
- Potassium around veranalizon for fruit fill and sugar maturity.

If you need to better understand what is going on in your vines, please reach out to one of our team

Field Day Alert - 12th November 2025Farm - Wynyard Dairy LtdLocation - Amuri Plain, CulverdenHosts - DairyNZRupert and J...
28/10/2025

Field Day Alert - 12th November 2025
Farm - Wynyard Dairy Ltd
Location - Amuri Plain, Culverden
Hosts - DairyNZ

Rupert and Jess are running a very sharp operation, with a careful eye for detail and a pragmatic approach to soil fertility, animal health and mating that is well worth the day trip to see in action!

We've had the joy of working alongside Rupert and Jess for 7 seasons now, helping make good decisions for their soil and stock.

It's great to see such good farmers get the recognition that their hard work deserves!
See you there?

Please RSVP on the DairyNZ Page. If link doesn't open, go to events page and find the 12th Nov event.
https://www.dairynz.co.nz/events/details/337377d1-7da8-f011-bbd3-6045bde553dd/Growing-Farm-Efficiency-and-Profit/

We're "On the hunt" for a sheep & beef operation in North Canterbury to fill out one of our consultants runs. With a cen...
22/10/2025

We're "On the hunt" for a sheep & beef operation in North Canterbury to fill out one of our consultants runs.
With a centered focus on animal nutrition, soil health and gearing up your natural capital to perform, we have a love for using data + observations to find low-hanging fruit. Learn how to utilise legumes to drive production and animal performance.

Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected].

Or, if you're anywhere in NZ and interested in a chat, feel free to reach out!

1st Round Dairy - N UseAcross Canterbury and Southland, we have had a slow and cold start to spring. Growth rates have r...
22/09/2025

1st Round Dairy - N Use

Across Canterbury and Southland, we have had a slow and cold start to spring. Growth rates have ranged between 10-30kg/DM/day, only lifting in the past 1-2 weeks.

Soil temperature is the most limiting thing:
-Microbial activity is low
-Movement of minerals is slow
-Sunlight + light capture + sugar production is low

The graph below assumes a 40kg/ha growth as a default baseline with various application rates of Ammo30.

40kg/ha of Ammo30 provides 12.2 units of N, this is "enough" for a 60kg/ha growth rate aligned to both DairyNZ and Ballance data; 1kg of N to grow 5kg DM in cold or sub-optimal conditions. Seeing we haven't had great growth rates, now is a good time to reflect.

More on does not = More Out.

Yes, the pressure is on but you are better to save the "extra N input" or reallocate to feed rather than over-applying at risk to losses.

We are recruiting! Do you, or someone you know, have a keen interest in helping farmers make forward-oriented, informed ...
18/09/2025

We are recruiting!

Do you, or someone you know, have a keen interest in helping farmers make forward-oriented, informed decisions for their soil and pasture/crops? Are you a practical mind, with the ability to translate between science and farmer-speak?

Do you have an unstoppable desire to learn as much as you can about soil and plant function, grazing management & agronomy?

Are you a great communicator with a proven track-record of collaboration, connecting & ex*****on?

Do you enjoy working for an independent advice company, with a mix of time in the field with farmers and a light-hearted small team who are constantly improving and learning?

We're ultimately looking for people who are already self-starters and unstoppable learners, who can bring that curiosity and drive to our team! We are looking to find people for: 2x Canterbury, 1x Waikato, 1x Southland position.

Sounds like you? Then you might be a good fit for our growing team of consultants!

Please send a brief email to [email protected], lets connect!

**Must be in NZ already, with a strong rural background**

Address

Rangiora

Telephone

+642102958011

Website

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