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Summary:

Bio-Booster was applied to a section of native pastures and cattle have not been grazed to date. One treated area has shown increased growth and leaf Brix readings. Additionally, seeded chicory is showing larger plants and flowers.A second trial on a neighbouring property has now been mulched with the grazier reporting significantly more dry matter present.

Background

This ongoing demonstration aims to show the effects of stimulating soil biology in grazing land. An indication of potential results is shown in the Case study -- 'From 30 steers in 2000 to 90 in 2020 with soils and pasture still improving.'

The Bio-Booster is a living brew containing a wide range of local soil biology. Liquid Sea Minerals and humic acid were also applied to support the soil biology. The aim is to speed up building soil carbon the way nature does it. This method is low cost and can be home-brewed in 5 days and has been tested in soybeans and macadamias with very promising results. Following a workshop in November 2021, participants then built application equipment, started a worm farm, prepared a Starter and Brew and then applied the treatment on 18 February 2022. A microscopic quality check was undertaken and pasture measuring posts were installed at the application.

Treatments

Bio-Booster @ 100 L/ha, along with Liquid Sea Minerals 5L/ha and Humic acid 15 L/ha was applied. Robbie Pocock treated part of a 2.5 Ha paddock, and Peter Brady treated a section in a paddock. The treatment was applied behind a ripper. Control areas were also ripped. Pocock also included seeding several pasture species to increase diversity in soil biology and stock feed. Chicory(Cichorium intybus) was sown in both treated and untreated areas. Stock have been excluded from the paddocks to allow new species to mature and seed.

Observations

7 June 2022:  Robbie and Glynis Pocock assessed that the grass near ground level was denser in the treated area, compared to the control area. 

29 June 2022:  140 days after planting. Trevor Galletly, Peter Brady and Robbie Pocock conducted a visual inspection and did leaf refractometer readings of Siratro in the treated and untreated areas. Chicory had emerged in the treated and control areas. A few of the other sown species had emerged. At application, the pasture was native species at 5 – 20 cm height. As native grass species vary across the paddock, detailed assessments were conducted by species.

Black spear grass Control 50 cm Treated 60 cm

10 cm Native blue grass Control 10 cm Treated 15 cm

5 cm Siratro over Black spear grass Control 55 cm Treated 65 cm

10 cm Leaf refractometer reading on Siratro Control 12 Treated 14 +2 Brix

Leaf refractometer readings indicate the relative level of plant sugars in the leaf and are a good indicator of the plant’s health and nutritional value. What is poor, average, good or excellent varies between species, but a higher reading is better than a lower one. Chicory plants in the treated area were generally broader-leaved and taller. One effect of excluding cattle from both treated and control areas was an increase in desirable pasture species favoured by cattle. Continuous grazing gradually leads to the loss of these species.

Comments:

The three inspections showed that treated areas have more growth than control areas.

Tables for Approximate Relationships between pasture height and Kilograms of Dry Matter /Ha (kgDM/Ha) indicate that a 10 cm height increase can add 3,000 kg of DM/Ha. To put this into perspective, an average 600Kg cow can require 18 kg Dry Matter per day to thrive and produce milk. Assuming 50% is trampled or spoiled, the extra Dry Matter eaten is 1,500 kg and represents 83 grazing days or 21/2months per hectare for a fully grown animal or 5 months for a heifer. The trampled part and larger root system will feed the soil biology, thus increasing future carbon in the soil with all its benefits. This treatment can be applied to additional paddocks as planned, which will allow for a slow build-up of stock numbers, which is a major cost. 

Indicative cost of the treatment. Cost of a 1,000L Bio-Booster, enough for 10ha: Bio-Booster $60 - $80, or $6 - $8/ha, 3L of Sea Minerals and 3LHumic acid $18/ha. The total cost is $26/ha plus tractor cost. Application equipment will generally be available on the farm.

Conclusion

The use of Bio-Booster has increased soil biological activity and given increased growth of pasture by improving the soil and increasing carbon levels. The benefits are very promising and the costs are minimal. These results are consistent with findings in other crops.