Throughout the ages, farmers have consistently managed to increase their yields, despite the size of their farms remaining the same. This trend has been pivotal in ensuring that the world’s growing population can feed itself on the shrinking available land.

In addition to increasing yields, farmers have also been able to build successful farming enterprises on lands that were previously not considered arable. This is achieved through crops that are engineered to be more hardy, and improved farming techniques.

Farming techniques are becoming increasingly important to crop success in a world where droughts and warmer summers have been on the increase recently. While good rainfalls are always welcome, the truth is that the farmer can see his maize crop through to harvest with comparatively little rain, especially where the land is well looked after.

The balance and availability of nutrients in the soil is a vital component of crop success. Good soil physics is important in terms of the root penetration of crops, which is a critical survival tool in adverse conditions. Getting the nutrient additions absolutely right is a difficult undertaking, especially where soil acidity prevails.

The correct addition of fertiliser is critical to maintain the balance of the soil. The presence of significant beneficial bio-diversity in the soil is an indicator of healthy soil, which leads to healthy crops. However, repetitive tilling can lead to the degradation of microenvironments that these organisms need to thrive. When the biomass and diversity of organisms is reduced, the effective decomposition of soil organic matter is negatively affected. This is a concern for crop growers as decomposition of soil organic matter is required to promote soil fertility. Without it, soil is more easily negatively impacted. This, in turn, could lead to soil erosion and poor rainwater penetration into the soil, causing excess water run off.

The addition of fertiliser to address imbalances in the soil is important. Judicious fertiliser application is critical to address plant growth requirements. This needs to be done in conjunction with attention to soil fertility implications. Where there is healthy crop there is often far less pressure by pests. 

In the past, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were considered the kings of the fertiliser world, but today it is accepted that a more balanced, tailored mix is required. The importance of calcium in this approach has gained much attention in recent times because of the role it plays in nutrient uptake and the strengthening of cell walls, leading to big, strong plants and greater yields.

Farmers therefore need to look for fertiliser brands that are willing to go the extra mile to ensure soil quality by taking samples and devising a fertiliser treatment that is specific to the soil type, and would restore any imbalances that exist.