The basic aim in an efficient system of pastoral farming must
be the highest possible sustained yields of animal products consistent
with the maintenance and improvement of soil fertility.
This involves the maximum production of dry matter of the right
quality. This paper does not deal exhaustively with quality, but it
is necessary to remind ourselves that quantity and quality are not
necessarily highly correlated. Both yield and quality of dry matter
depend on the soil, climate, herbage species and strains, stock
and pasture management and fertiliser applications. Most of the factors influencing soil fertility can be classified
as biological, physical, or chemical. This paper deals primarily
with chemical factors. I intend to state what I consider the basic principles
underlying herbage production in New Zealand insofar as nutrients
are concerned and then consider the assessment of the nutrient
deficiencies and requirements of various soils by empirical methods
and from more basic knowledge.[Show full abstract]
![[PDF]](/themes/LURA/images/mimes/b_pdf.png "PDF file"){kind=small}
