Welcome to the debut episode of Where Inches Matter, a podcast by Agraforum, hosted by Allan Piercy.

In this episode, Allan shares his journey from veterinary practice to soil science, revealing how his years as a rural vet led him to question unexplained lameness , milk fever and liver abscesses in dairy cows. He noticed their grazing behaviour and began connecting the dots between animal health issues and the urea levels in the soil beneath their feet.

Allan discusses the long-term effects of urea use on soil structure and how it disrupts the delicate balance of nutrients, leading to compacted ground, inefficient plant growth, and ultimately, animal health complications. Drawing from his firsthand experiences in New Zealand and abroad, he introduces key solutions to restore soil integrity, reduce reliance on artificial inputs, and improve both plant and livestock health.

Discover how the difference between a thriving farm and one struggling with compaction, poor pasture, and animal health challenges.

Tune in to discover how changes underground can make the biggest difference above - where inches matter.

🔎 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Where Inches Matter, host Allan Percy 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.