Where Inches Matter by Agraforum

In this episode of Where Inches Matter, Allan Piercy interviews Gerhard Vermaak of Custom Chemistry, developer of BioN - a patented biological nitrogen fixation technology. Over the past three years, replicated New Zealand pasture trials have shown statistically significant results, with BioN matching or exceeding urea performance under commercial conditions.
Topics covered include:
• The energy equation behind nitrogen fixation
• Why microbes need carbon and how photosynthetic bacteria supply it
• The 1000:1 carbon-to-nitrogen relationship explained
• Water rates, soil volume and macro-porosity
• The role of molybdenum, cobalt and iron in nitrogenase function
• Cold weather performance
• Glyphosate, copper and microbial sensitivity
• Why this behaves like a true slow-release nitrogen source
• Patent status and global rollout
This is a technical discussion grounded in field data and real farm experience.
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Dion Gordon manages three dairy farms in Canterbury, milking 3,500 cows across a range of soil types.
What began with closer soil testing and questioning fertiliser use led to changes in how nitrogen is supplied across the farm.
In this episode of Where Inches Matter, Dion talks about reducing fertiliser inputs, why BioN made sense as an alternative to urea, and how the system is still delivering the same pasture growth, with a lower footprint.
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In this episode of Where Inches Matter, we sit down with coastal dairy farmer Stu Russell to talk soil compaction, nitrogen decisions, and what actually changed on farm after trialling Bio-N.

From half-paddock trials to replicated data, Stu shares what he saw when he stepped back from routine urea use and gave biology a chance to do the work. We unpack how Bio-N fits into a real farming system, what the numbers are saying so far, and why reliability matters more than promises.
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In this episode of Where Inches Matter, Allan takes you straight to the paddock for a hands-on discussion about soil health, pasture growth, and the direct impact on farm profitability with South Canterbury farmer, Andrew Grant .
We visit a farm near Geraldine that once struggled with highly compacted soils, heavy nitrogen use, and poor-quality pasture that the cows didn’t want to eat. But through strategic soil management and reducing synthetic fertiliser inputs, this farm has undergone a remarkable transformation.
Our guest farmer shares his experience of moving away from high nitrogen and phosphorus applications, which were leading to compacted soils, poor plant nutrition, and animal health issues. Since cutting back on synthetic inputs and improving soil structure with products like Envirocare and Comcat, he has seen incredible changes:
✔ Healthier Soil Structure – The once rock-hard, compacted ground is now loose, well-aerated, and teeming with worms.✔ Better Pasture Growth – Grass is thriving, and cows are more willing to eat it, leading to higher intakes and better milk production.✔ Improved Animal Health – Reduced metabolic issues and lameness, with healthier cows performing at their best.✔ More Efficient Water Use – With better soil structure, water retention has improved, meaning less irrigation is needed.
We also dive into grass growth measurement techniques, including the use of plant meters and AgriNet for tracking pasture performance, forecasting, and planning silage cuts. The farmer explains how independent fertiliser advice has been a game-changer, helping him make more informed decisions without over-reliance on synthetic inputs.
This episode is a must-listen for any farmer looking to improve pasture quality, cut input costs, and boost farm productivity through better soil management.
🔎 Want to learn more? Visit www.agraforum.co.nz for details on soil testing, fertiliser strategies, and proven methods to improve soil structure and animal health.
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In this episode of Where Inches Matter, host Allan Piercy takes us deep into the hidden mechanics of soil health and why compacted soil could be holding your pasture back from their true potential!
When soil is too tight, plant roots struggle to grow, bacteria can’t thrive, and critical nutrients become locked away. But with the right approach, you can transform your soil, boost pasture growth, and improve your herd’s health—all by focusing on what’s happening beneath the surface.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🌱 Why Soil Structure Matters – Healthy soil isn’t just about nutrients; it’s about structure. Compaction limits oxygen flow, stifles beneficial microbes, and reduces water absorption. Allan explains how poor soil structure leads to stunted plant growth and why loosening the soil can dramatically improve your farm’s productivity.
🛠 Simple Tools for Measuring Soil Health – Learn how farmers assess soil compaction using a penetrometer, a tool that measures pressure in the ground. If your soil is too compacted (above 300 psi), feeder roots can’t spread, and beneficial fungi can’t support plant growth. Allan also shares a simple visual test you can do right in the paddock to check for compaction.
⚡ How Calcium Works as a Soil "Detonator" – Discover how applying EnviroCal (a product similar to GSR) can help loosen soil structure. Allan explains how calcium, when applied correctly, triggers a chain reaction that breaks up soil compaction and allows nutrients to move freely. Timing is everything—this process works best in wet conditions because water helps conduct the necessary electrical reactions.
🐄 Real-Life Results: More Grass, Healthier Cows – Hear about actual farms that have improved their soil with this method. Two long-term treated farms saw pasture production increase to over 3.4 tons per hectare, compared to untreated farms that struggled to grow even 700 kg. The farmers also reported healthier cows, reduced lameness, and fewer metabolic issues—all thanks to better soil structure.
📊 Scientific Validation: Measuring Soil Health with Macroporosity – Ellen discusses research conducted with soil scientist Dr. Gordon Rajendra. Using macroporosity testing, they found a direct correlation between soil aeration and pasture growth. Farms with healthy, flocculated soil had macroporosity levels of 25-26%, while compacted soils were as low as 7%, leading to major reductions in grass production.
Why This Matters for Your Farm
If your cows aren’t thriving, if you’re battling poor pasture growth, or if your soil feels like concrete, the problem isn’t just on the surface—it’s underneath. Fixing soil compaction can lead to:✅ More productive pasture growth✅ Better nutrient uptake for healthier cows✅ Reduced reliance on chemical fertilisers like urea✅ A stronger, more resilient farm
🔎 Want to learn more? Visit www.agraforum.co.nz for details on soil testing, fertiliser strategies, and proven methods to improve soil structure and animal health.
🎙 Stay tuned! Next episode, we’ll hear directly from a Canterbury farmer who’s seen the benefits firsthand.

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