Better soils with Brett Petersen Kiwi Fertiliser & Golden Bay Dolomite

It must be confusing for farmers to differentiate between those that claim to practice the Albrecht system, from those that actually put it in to practice by using the correct tools.

Few laboratories claim to produce soil test results that line up with Albrecht’s figures. This is not at the discretion of the fertiliser company’s representatives, but of the lab itself. This role used to fall to Brookside Laboratories, but a change in ownership altered that.

We only know of one lab that follows the true principles by calibrating their equipment to the Albrecht values.

That lab is Perry Agricultural Laboratory (known as PAL) in Missouri. We have tried to correlate results with some NZ laboratories, but found we could not.

In our opinion, any company applying a NZ lab’s figures’ to a Kinsey Agricultural Services recommendation, as derived from Neal Kinsey’s manual formulas is also breaking the rules. KAS exclusively works with PAL.

Many variations

Simply put, another Lab’s numbers will not necessarily equate to the PAL numbers. There are many variations out there of how practitioners ply their trade.

Please check any company’s modus operandi very carefully. The Albrecht protocol of PAL and KAS is followed all around the world. It cannot be any different in NZ.

We can name three companies in NZ that follow these rules: Kiwi Fertiliser, Golden Bay Dolomite and Top Soils.

If someone claims to be adhering to the Albrecht-Kinsey system, ask them to show you PAL results and the Kinsey recommendations in an un-editable form such as pdf. You can find copies of both on our website: www.kiwifertiliser.co.nz

Some companies are also selling liquid products under the guise of the Albrecht, Kinsey or Perry programme.

We have nothing against liquids, except to say that when you get your solid programme up to scratch, some liquids will enhance the result; but not before applying the correct amendments. We are not into products as such; we are into a superior soil fertility building system. Albrecht did not and Kinsey and Perry do not recommend liquids.

‘Test and guess’

The following is a quote from a booklet published by the NZ Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Research Association.

“Soil tests indicate general soil fertility, provided they are calibrated against pasture growth. Soil tests do not give a measure of the amounts of nutrients required for maximum pasture growth. Target ranges for soil tests indicate levels needed for high levels of pasture production.”

This looks like “test and guess” to us. PAL soil results and the Albrecht system as documented by KAS actually enable precise calculations of what is needed to achieve superior production of both quality and quantity. Each recommendation is tailor-made to suit the individual soil test. They are not general; they are site specific, and they deliver results second to none.

The essence of the Albrecht programme is to fertilise the soil and let the soil fertilise the crop, whatever that crop may be. Under this system, pests, diseases and weeds find it a lot tougher to cause any real harm, eventually fading into the background.

Essential nutrients

All essential nutrients are considered, not just NPK plus pH. When the budget is limited the nutrients recommended are prioritised. Lime may be used to correct calcium levels; not to change pH. Similarly, Dolomite may be used to correct Ca and Mg levels if the nutrient profile is suitable. If not, other materials are used to improve the soil balance.

The pH is the result of a soil fertility programme, not the cause of it. Is low pH caused by low Ca, Mg, K, Na or a combination? Don’t just assume it is calcium. On a dairy farm, if pH is too low, production will be compromised on a per cow and on a daily basis. Visual signs of low pH can be crusting on the oxidation pond. That not only costs money in lost production and revenue; it also costs money to clean the pond. The cause is easily permanently cured as part of the soil fertility programme. The same principles of soil fertility apply to any other stock enterprise.

It must be confusing for farmers to differentiate between those that claim to practice the Albrecht system, from those that actually put it in to practice by using the correct tools.

Few laboratories claim to produce soil test results that line up with Albrecht’s figures. This is not at the discretion of the fertiliser company’s representatives, but of the lab itself. This role used to fall to Brookside Laboratories, but a change in ownership altered that.

We only know of one lab that follows the true principles by calibrating their equipment to the Albrecht values.

That lab is Perry Agricultural Laboratory (known as PAL) in Missouri. We have tried to correlate results with some NZ laboratories, but found we could not.

In our opinion, any company applying a NZ lab’s figures’ to a Kinsey Agricultural Services recommendation, as derived from Neal Kinsey’s manual formulas is also breaking the rules. KAS exclusively works with PAL.

Many variations (side head)

Simply put, another Lab’s numbers will not necessarily equate to the PAL numbers. There are many variations out there of how practitioners ply their trade.

Please check any company’s modus operandi very carefully. The Albrecht protocol of PAL and KAS is followed all around the world. It cannot be any different in NZ.

We can name three companies in NZ that follow these rules: Kiwi Fertiliser, Golden Bay Dolomite and Top Soils.

If someone claims to be adhering to the Albrecht-Kinsey system, ask them to show you PAL results and the Kinsey recommendations in an un-editable form such as pdf. You can find copies of both on our website: www.kiwifertiliser.co.nz 

Some companies are also selling liquid products under the guise of the Albrecht, Kinsey or Perry programme.

We have nothing against liquids, except to say that when you get your solid programme up to scratch, some liquids will enhance the result; but not before applying the correct amendments. We are not into products as such; we are into a superior soil fertility building system. Albrecht did not and Kinsey and Perry do not recommend liquids.

‘Test and guess’ (side head)

The following is a quote from a booklet published by the NZ Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Research Association.

“Soil tests indicate general soil fertility, provided they are calibrated against pasture growth. Soil tests do not give a measure of the amounts of nutrients required for maximum pasture growth. Target ranges for soil tests indicate levels needed for high levels of pasture production.”

This looks like “test and guess” to us. PAL soil results and the Albrecht system as documented by KAS actually enable precise calculations of what is needed to achieve superior production of both quality and quantity. Each recommendation is tailor-made to suit the individual soil test. They are not general; they are site specific, and they deliver results second to none.

The essence of the Albrecht programme is to fertilise the soil and let the soil fertilise the crop, whatever that crop may be. Under this system, pests, diseases and weeds find it a lot tougher to cause any real harm, eventually fading into the background.

Essential nutrients (side head)

All essential nutrients are considered, not just NPK plus pH. When the budget is limited the nutrients recommended are prioritised. Lime may be used to correct calcium levels; not to change pH. Similarly, Dolomite may be used to correct Ca and Mg levels if the nutrient profile is suitable. If not, other materials are used to improve the soil balance.

The pH is the result of a soil fertility programme, not the cause of it. Is low pH caused by low Ca, Mg, K, Na or a combination? Don’t just assume it is calcium. On a dairy farm, if pH is too low, production will be compromised on a per cow and on a daily basis. Visual signs of low pH can be crusting on the oxidation pond. That not only costs money in lost production and revenue; it also costs money to clean the pond. The cause is easily permanently cured as part of the soil fertility programme. The same principles of soil fertility apply to any other stock enterprise.