Harry, Nick and Robin Routley.
For 4th and 5th generation cereal and legume farmer, Chris Routley and son Nick, tending and managing their 1620 Ha farm (own/lease) is serious business.
Surrey Brae in the York Peninsula, South Australia, is known for growing wheat, barley, chickpeas and lentils and is set on a farm that is 102 years old.
And for Chris, the health of the soil is of number one importance.
Chris has always used a range of pesticides and fertilisers to keep pests away and to maintain soil health.
But it is one key ingredient which Chris introduced in 2016 which has created a significant difference to the quality and health of the soil. And that is PyroAg Wood Vinegar.
“PyroAg Wood Vinegar is applied at a rate of two litres winter and three litres summer of PyroAg per 1000 litres of water. PyroAg is also used to lower the pH in water from 8.2 to 6.2 and we are now reducing our chemical up to 20 per cent,” Chris said.
“I have noticed healthier crops, as well as there is a better kill on the weeds which is another bonus.
“Every year, I use 5000 litres of PyroAg Wood Vinegar often spraying part of the farm eight times a year.
“This was the first time I dipped my toe into regenerative farming, and I have not looked back. I clearly see the benefits of PyroAg Wood Vinegar with not only the crops but also on the seeds as well.
“I use PyroAg Wood Vinegar as a seed dressing 50ml per ton plus 2Lt of zinc 24 hours prior to seeding and I am finding it acts as an accelerator, allowing the seeds to absorb the fertilizer more quickly and with improved regrowth.
“It is also very reasonably priced and that is an important part of the equation in the industry I am in.
“I would highly recommend farmers invest in PyroAg Wood Vinegar as it is an investment for your farm as you reap the benefits in the short term and long term.”
John Mellowes, CEO, PyroAg Wood Vinegar says, “It is tremendous to see growers like Chris committed to diving into modern agriculture methods which does not rely so heavily on pesticides and fertilisers for their soil health.”
PyroAg is confident that other Australian growers will have similar results by committing to the PyroAg Wood Vinegar’s application in improving soil biological health by enhancing beneficial plant growth promoting bacteria.”
