Organic N versus Synthetic N

Written By Cristy Houghton

Organic N versus Synthetic N: soil health, yield response and its economic analysis

Project Funder: University of New England & USQ Armidale Node

Project Lead Organisation/Researcher: University of Southern Queensland, Ms Lu Hogan

Project Duration: May 2022 – March 2024

Project Locations: Forbes, NSW

Aim

The project aims to derive the results in soil health improvement and grain yield response by using two different forms of Nitrogen (N), i.e., Organic N (Leguminous crops + Crop Rotation) and Synthetic N (Urea). Upon its completion, the project will also aim to deliver the cost-benefit analysis of the two different strategies over the period of two years.

Description and background

N mining occurs through the process of continuous cropping. This means that the current application rate of N-fertiliser to dryland crops, ~45 kg N/ha, will need to double in about five decades if yields are to be maintained. This will substantially increase the cost of fertiliser required unless nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) isn’t greatly increased.

Growers in the Central West of NSW have identified a high level of interest in comparing bagged N to grown N and the impact it could have on yield, gross margins and soil health. This project will provide locally relevant information that supports local needs and help farmers participate and build confidence to try new practices on their properties, with clear environmental and economic benefits.

Partnership

This project is a partnership between University of Southern Queensland, University of New England, and Central West Farming Systems.

 
Cristy Houghton

Cristy's unique career has taken her from country NSW to the city lights of Clarendon Street South Melbourne and back again. With an early career in radio as a copywriter and creative strategist, she is now a Jill of all trades as a graphic designer, website builder, blog writer, video editor, social media manager, marketing strategist and more. 

In fact, give her any task and this chick will figure out how to do it! Go on, we dare you!

No, really, we DARE you!!

Cristy has won two Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) for Best Ad and Best Sales Promotion, and even has an 'Employee of the Year' certificate with her name on it.

Cristy and her husband James have traveled extensively through Russia, China and South East Asia, and have two fur-babies, Sooty (cat) and Panda (puppy). Cristy loves drinking coffee, meeting people to drink coffee, coffee tasting and coffee flavoured cocktails. She also enjoys road trips, TED Talks and watching cat videos on youtube.

http://www.embarketing.com.au
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