INNOVATIVE AG-TECH TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD ‘FOR THE SAKE OF OUR SOIL’
Commentators and recognised agricultural experts agree that the trends in the global agricultural industry for the coming two or three decades are quite clear.
FROM THE ARCHIVES

We revisit parts of a Special Report written in 2015 that considered the importance of protecting our soils. RLF’s integrated fertiliser management program builds natural soil fertility and farmers and growers who have opted to modernise their crop nutrition regimes have benefited significantly in this regard.

It is always good to look back at some of the innovative practices and products within the RLF catalogue and to share the experiences of our customers.

Introduction

Commentators and recognised agricultural experts agree that the trends in the global agricultural industry for the coming two or three decades are quite clear.

Both mainstream and agricultural news bulletins and editorial commentary has recently highlighted the urgent need for change to farming practice and thinking. The use of more efficient and innovative fertiliser strategies, together with the use of technology in order that farmers and growers become smarter, more productive and sustainable is indicated. Calls by peak industry bodies within the varying agricultural sectors have all called for a rethinking of management plans, the use of advanced equipment such as drones for crop and land inspections, and computerised calculation tools to ensure wastage is kept to a minimum and that the soil is not being overburdened by fertiliser and chemicals.

Whilst this move is recognised as a global issue, and especially relevant for densely populated countries where food supply and security is under serious pressure, Australian farmers are not immune. Some grave warnings have been sounded from across all sectors – and all with the same underlying message. The agricultural industry must change many of its entrenched routines and practices in order to survive, and for Australia’s primary food production sector it must make these changes to remain competitive within the global marketplace.

One commentator was recently heard to align Australia’s status in this global marketplace to the ‘delicatessen of the region, rather than the supermarket’.

Some of the trending issues are defined as being:

  • the undeniable and expected massive growth in the demand for food,
  • the imperative of protecting the areas of arable land currently under cultivation across the globe through the use of modern
    farming technologies and practice, that preserves the integrity of the soil and restores goodness to it,
  • the need for continual improvement as efficiencies are sought in supply chain practices, crop yield and quality, and in-farm
    practices and management,
  • the importance of science and technology to the sector,
  • how innovation and innovative crops and products will define success,
  • the generational transformation brought about by a greater ease and comfort of accessing and using information technology,
  • the reliance on ‘partnership’ as a means of achieving successful outcomes.

RLF products and systems all work in support of these developing trends and represent the modern future of farm practice.

RLF is at the forefront of the modern farmer practice revolution, and firmly believes it is part of the solution to implementing the changes so urgently sought.

RLF’s Integrated Fertiliser Management Program

How this Works Best

By utilising concepts such as :

  • fertilising the seed
  • applying high-analysis broad-spectrum Ultra Foliar fertilisers (via the leaf)
  • supporting soil-based granular fertilisers at a reduced and more effective rate of application

As RLF’s Integrated Fertiliser Management (IFM) strategy becomes more widely accepted and used; and as farmers in all growing environments step up their efforts to meet the goals generated by the trends and challenges identified for the world’s agricultural future; so too will the ‘old practices’ disappear and be replaced by modern crop nutrition methods, informed by science and new technologies.

RLF’s IFM strategy has been widely reported on and can be viewed and listened to here.


RLF understands that this is a global issue, not just an Australian issue.

Accordingly, RLF has built its product range, marketing and infrastructure to support farmers and growers within all marketplaces across the world with these important and transformative fertiliser routines for the future.

The outcomes that follow are consistently achieved by a modern IFM fertiliser program:

Plant

IFM provides the plant with biological results of strength, root size and development, shoot and tiller size and number, and overall general physiological well-being. It is these results that give the plant the real- life advantages that result in bigger, better and greater crop results.

Yield

IFM improves yield performances that can be both measured and quantified. As a result, higher yields provide greater financial return to the farmer.

Economics

IFM gives the ability to achieve a positive economic benefit as a direct result of using this process. RLF products and systems ensure that the farmer can confidently and reliably invest in products that are capable of delivering a significant return on investment.

Produce

IFM has been shown to grow healthier (with higher nutritional values), tastier and better quality produce.

Sustainability & Soil Health

IFM produces more high-value biomass for the future of the soil. RLF products have been demonstrated to substantially increase the nutrient value and biomass of the root systems as well as the above- ground plant matter. Following harvest, the plant matter returns its nutrition to the root biomass, which in turn directs its nutritional value back to the soil, ready for future use.




Conclusion

There are several known facts about the challenges that lie ahead. They are:

  • the undeniable and expected massive growth in the demand for food
  • the imperative of protecting the areas of arable land currently under cultivation
  • the need for continual improvement and efficiencies
  • the importance of science and technology
  • the requirement for innovative crop protection solutions
  • the reliance on ‘partnership’ as a means of achieving
    successful outcomes
  • the willingness of farmers and growers to be educated and embrace these factors for change
  • the acceptance of the importance of the soil with
    greater effort to restore and protect it