The agostinelli family have been using TM Agriculture on their fruit and nut tree crops since 2013 and have noticed dramatic changes since doing so. See their history below.
From producing among the worst crops to a yield of 14 bales per hectare in a tough growing season. The 60,000 ha aggregation, Avondale, at Rowena, has kick started soil biology to improve soil structure and root growth. To result in high retention, reduced insect pressure, and improved water usage and yields. This was achieved in a hot, dry year on just 100mm of growing season rainfall aside from irrigation. Farm manager and 2018 Australian Cotton Grower of the Year finalist, Bernie Bierhoff, uses microbial stimulant, TM Agricultural, across the irrigated and dryland cropping areas. Grain grown under the TM regime is value added through the 5000 head on-farm feedlot. TM Agricultural uses plant extracts to stimulate indigenous soil microbes. One of the irrigated fields on Avondale, Field 103, had continually suffered from poor plant establishment and had lagged behind the other cotton fields in performance and yield.
Stuart Volmerhausen made contact, very concerned about the spread of pasture dieback across his grazing country at Theebine. Stuart was aware of TM Agricultural and had considered trying it for some time. To try to improve country which had been worked hard for decades. The expanding devastation of prime graze with the mystery dieback galvanised him into action. He began a program immediately.
It was decided to apply 250ml TM per ha, combined with 500ml per ha of either kelp or fish product to assist with root stimulation once TM activated the indigenous biology. Weather conditions were perfect during the period and approximately 80 hectares were treated. Good soil moisture and for the most showery conditions ensured rapid delivery to the soil and optimum uptake.Read More
A Western Australian grazing family has doubled their carrying capacity and tripled soil carbon levels. Just by switching to a biological soil treatment. The program over the last eight years on the Thexton’s Northcliff property has resulted in reduced soil acidity and compaction, and increased soil aeration, boosting pasture growth and animal productivity. Colin, Kerry, Anthony and Kate Thexton have cut fertiliser costs by two-thirds, done away with insecticide applications. Aan have achieved year round ground cover and increased stocking rates.
Colin puts the productivity increase down to the use of TM Agricultural. An organic soil activation product produced by Best Environmental Technologies. So by paying close attention to root growth and biological activity. Mr Thexton has been able to turn off steers six to eight weeks earlier than a conventional system under high rates of chemical fertilisers.
This enterprise is observing the first crop cycle involving TM Agricultural. The farm is blessed with deep, high quality black soil and has been farmed by the Riter family for three generations. TM has been trialled on Suntop Wheat this season. Rainfall has been of concern but just adequate to this stage of the crop. In the treated paddock, a boom width strip has been left untreated to enable crop comparison to be made. Some examination showed potential benefits of TM, even at this early stage.
Mike Cooper took his first step toward TM Agricultural during the 2014 season. Based on the early trials carried out on Gympie orchards and results on other crops. He purchased sufficient TM to apply 1 ltr/ha across the planted area, in three applications. The Mr Macadamia enterprise is made up of five orchards, some separated by up to 10kms distance. The trees are all approaching thirty years. The orchards are non-irrigated. When Mike took over the orchards about twelve years ago. The general condition of the orchards, tree and soil health was poor. Mike monitors every aspect of activity in the orchards, leaving nothing to guess work. This practise has paid dividends and it would be fair to state that few have a greater understanding of the idiosyncrasies of macadamias.
Both paddocks were planted with durum wheat in the first week of June. Both grew chickpea crops in the previous year and wheat the year before that. The non-TM treated area received 100kg/ha Urea pre-seeding. The TM Agricultural treated area received its first TM application 8 weeks prior to planting and the wheat seed was treated with TM Germination. Since seeding both areas have received 35mls rain. Soil and plants from both areas were examined by Dr Maarten Stapper and Agronomist Keiran Knight.
In a year when waterlogging has taken a toll on winter crops. A biological soil stimulant has helped cereal and pulse crops in the Wimmera avoid falling victim. Senior agronomist Jamie Ball, of Elders St Arnaud. Has worked with regional growers to biologically treat chickpeas, lentils, wheat, barley and oats with TM Agricultural. Organically certified, TM Ag uses plant extracts to stimulate indigenous soil microbes and is produced by Best Environmental Technologies. Mr Ball said the St Arnaud district had recorded 340mm to late September. With local crops affected by flooding and water logging. He said the local crops treated with TM Ag had come through the wet season well, were more robust and handled the conditions better.
“They are certainly retaining their colour, vigour and growth rate. Versus untreated crops which, if they recover, take some time to improve.’’ Mr Ball said. “This differential in growth usually translates directly into yield. “We haven’t lost any treated crop to waterlogging but untreated crops have been lost. “It’s early days but we are pretty impressed.’’ Mr Ball has collected paddock data on TM Ag in both dry and wet seasons. Across a range of soil types including alluvial, heavy clays and loams.Read More
Reduced screenings, improved grain weight along with soil moisture retention and reduced input costs has ticked all the boxes for Riverina mixed farmer Charlie Webb. Mr Webb, of Urana, has always been one for thinking outside the square and questioning the how and why of his surroundings. His aim is to achieve a healthy, balanced soil to conserve every millimetre of rainfall to lift productivity and profitability.
Mr Webb has used organic soil activation product TM Agricultural produced by Best Environmental Technologies across his cropping country for the past four years. He has noted reduced soil compaction, improved root development and increased soil biology. Soil moisture retention and better soil structure are high on his priority list. Year round ground cover is used to prevent soil erosion and maximize water infiltration. A decade ago Mr Webb was applying lime and gypsum to the red soils. At higher than the recommended rate to lift soil pH to grow dryland lucerne with a limited response. “Everyone has told us for years the soil pH is the issue, but we really need to balance the soil microbes to achieve soil health.’’ he said.
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Reaching a compromise between a biological and conventional farming system has resulted in increased stocking rates. Improved soil structure and reduced input costs for a Tasmanian producer. Rob Tole had been caught in a high input regime of fertilisers, fungicides and insecticides. In his cropping enterprise at Cressy when an issue with pugged soils had far reaching consequences. The waterlogged and compacted soils resulted in a yield penalty in the crops following and started Rob on a path to finding solutions.
He trialled TM Agricultural, an organic soil activation product produced by Best Environmental Technologies. On his worst paddocks with beneficial results and now uses the product across 100 per cent of his farm. Set in a 650mm rainfall zone, the 550ha property is at the foot of the Great Western Tiers with soil types comprising heavy black to lighter sandy loams. Around 60 per cent of the farm is dedicated to irrigation with nine fixed pivots irrigation 320ha. Applications of up to 10 tonnes/ha of lime has resulted in a soil pH of 5.9-6.2 and Olsen P levels are high at 25mg/kg.