Winter 2023 – Showcasing the Albrecht soil system
Winter 2023 has been pivotal in Golden Bay Dolomites (GBD) commitment to promoting soil health with their showcasing of the Albrecht soil system. Leading American soil scientist Neal Kinsey had the opportunity to study and work with Dr William Albrecht has been down under in our backyard. Neal presented a transformation soils course in Blenheim benefiting leading farmers and soil consultants alike who recognise the importance of soil health for the success of our primary sector.
Good news that benefits the health of our agriculture soils, plants, and livestock spreads, which is what we at GBD have aimed to do – by bringing Neal's extensive international work in correcting agriculture soils to the attention of New Zealand farmers. The results of his consultancy work are compelling, having performed time and time again across multiple countries, soil types and farm management systems.
To hear some of Neal’s video testimonial that provides highlights from his career studying soils and working with farmers in over 50 countries click on the links below or visit GBD’s Facebook profile for further insights.
Insight 1
The Albrecht soil system can be universally applied
When it comes to managing soil the issues farmers face to achieve the pasture or crop growth, they desire Neal has found are the same the world over. Refuting the wisdom that a system can’t be picked from one location and applied to another because “the soils are different”.
He points out that soils differ universally, even one property may have several different soil types.
The key question a farmer needs to address is if they are firstly growing the right pasture or crop for the climate. Then secondly, focus on how they can get the soil right by applying the science of the Albrecht system, balancing the percentage of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in your property’s soils.
Neal’s recommendation is that by getting the foundation of your property right - your “soils” then the pastures and crops on your property will grow regardless.
Insight 2
The paddock will hold the answer
The most important tool for improving soil health is education with both farmers and industry professionals sharing information about what they have undertaken and the production outcome that they have seen.
What has worked? Or
What has been unsuccessful?
William Albrecht’s approach was not to “tell people what to do” but to focus on the “why” they should do what was recommended. All his work was readily available he did not patent his findings – Neal describes that his approach was to help farmers build their own understanding and skill set.
Insight 3
Dr William Albrecht – an intelligent man passionate about helping farmers improve soil health
Neal had the privilege of knowing and working with Dr William Albrecht he describes that when they met, he was already 80 years old and nearing the end of his career. Dr Albrecht was a very intelligent man and exacting in his analysis of a problem or issue asking further questions until he got to the heart of the matter. Over the years he visited a farmer Eugene Perot several times who wrote the book “A Margin of Life” he said that Dr Albrecht was driven to help farmers and he constantly looked for ways to express findings in a way that farmers would be able to understand and implement on their own properties. The importance of looking at things in the field was his passion and he had a very hands-on approach. The way he had of teaching was not to catch you in a mistake but to teach you what you need to know to improve your own situation.
Insight 4
Farmers the world over are finding the system works
In the study of soils which has been for over 50 years spent working with farmers and what I’ve enjoyed the most is the chance I’ve been given to help so many different people. The interaction is beyond just talking we complete soil testing and from the results, these give the information base to develop a fertiliser programme that really works. The real reward is when farmers call you happy with how the programme is performing and make comments like “This makes farming fun again”. A man passionate about his work Neal states “ I don’t think I could find a job in the world more enjoyable than what I have a chance to do.”
Insight 5
Switching gears, balance your soil by correcting the most limiting nutrient
Switching to the Albrecht soil fertiliser system requires a different approach to how you manage soils and farmers need a starting point. When learning anything about how to use your soil effectively and grow a crop, Neal recommends that you undertake the simple steps first, learning the foundation principle and then building your soil fertility programme. People often want one answer or one thing that they need to do – it doesn’t work like that. The basic principle that we all must learn is that if you have too much of one nutrient then there will be a corresponding too little of another. The soil is always at capacity for holding nutrients so whenever you apply something it will by default lower another, therefore Neal recommends that the easiest way to correct soil is to find out what is the most limiting nutrient and address that first. Doing this will automatically lower any nutrients that are in excess and naturally “balance” out the soil.
Insight 6
Soils can always be improved for production
When it comes to improving soil health there is always something that you can do to make your system more productive. There are so many different characteristics of soils, the first thing I ask a farmer is how long they have been applying your current fertiliser programme i.e., NPKS and ignoring some of the other elements like calcium and magnesium so it will take some time to transition. We normally find it takes 2-3 years to get the soil basics right. We recommend that farmers work within their budget and address the most limiting nutrient first. How quickly you can convert your system will depend on your budget versus the potential increase in yield.
Insight 7
Balancing calcium and magnesium will improve soils
New Zealand soils along with a few other countries like Ireland are unique in that they simply do not naturally hold enough magnesium for optimal soil structure. Building nutrient levels is a lot easier than correcting an element that you have too much of and therefore we find such a good response in New Zealand. The amount of calcium, magnesium, and sulphur in the soils can be overlooked as they are secondary elements for plant growth although they are primary elements for soils.
Insight 8
Golden Bay Dolomite world-winning magnesium
Most farmers in New Zealand don’t realise how fortunate they are to have a local source of Dolomite right here in the country. Neal states that in his opinion there is no other source of Dolomite in the world that works as quickly and effectively as Golden Bay Dolomite.
While there are other Dolomitic limestones imported into New Zealand they aren’t as beneficial as our local Golden Bay Dolomite.
“Golden Bay Dolomite works so quickly that you can measure the increase in magnesium in the soil within the first year or two after application”.
Furthermore, in Neal’s opinion, this makes Golden Bay Dolomite the most economical form of magnesium the world over.