Testimonials
We love seeing farmer's share their success stories, working with ECTOL. See below for featured testimonials.
Oats - New England, NSW
“With NitrotainTE27 this product has before my own eyes, doubled the foliage and leaf content available for grazing. We have also produced extra tillers, increasing the overall yield potential immensely."
- Michael, Bathurst, NSW
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Michael Brogan runs a mixed beef cattle and cropping farm, located 20km west of Tamworth. Situated in red soil country, this area traditionally has lower rainfall, so crops and pastures tend to suffer quicker than other areas.
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In the past, Mr Brogan has applied nitrogen via granule urea (as a top dress). In his experience, results are often mixed, due to the need for rain, as well as atmospheric nitrogen loss.
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With losses nearly always guaranteed, Mr Brogan was finding granule urea less beneficial for his farm, not to mention expensive in the current operating environment.
As such, Mr Brogan considered switching to liquid nitrogen fertiliser in the form of NitrotainTE27, following discussions with Cameron Turner, a local representative from ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients.
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In early April, Mr Brogan applied one 10L/ha application of NitrotainTE27 to oats that had been sown five weeks prior, without any other fertiliser. The timing was perfect, with NitrotainTE27 able to be applied in pre-pass, while doing broadleaf weed control in cereal crops.
“I noticed a difference from traditional urea, which presents the ‘big green bang effect’ post application, but I have come to realise this doesn’t always result in extra production for the costs outlaid,” he said.
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“With NitrotainTE27 this product has before my own eyes, doubled the foliage and leaf content available for grazing. We have also produced extra tillers, increasing the overall yield potential immensely,” said Mr Brogan.
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“I would highly recommend this product to others considering the switch to liquid nitrogen fertiliser, and I’m excited to see more results and developments with NitrotainTE27 from ECTOL”, added Mr Brogan.
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The standard application rate of NitrotainTE27 (via foliar or soil) is 10L/ha, and this can be varied with crop and soil conditions and farm economics, with an estimated cost of $53 per 10L/ha application.
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To speak with your local ECTOL representative, enquire via the website, email or Facebook, or call +61 02 9816 2057
Lucerne - Bathurst, NSW
Short edit with subtitles.
"We’ve been using ECTOL Protect and Grow and NitrotainTE for six years. They give a really good response to legumes and every year the paddocks are constantly getting better and better."
- Rob, Bathurst, NSW
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Watch Rob's testimonial video below, with subtitled and extended edits.
Extended edit.
Sheep Farming, Riverina - NSW
“We’ve been able to move to a more natural system and produce better quality, nutrient-dense feed, for a lower price.
“If we were not using ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients, we would likely be spending double the cost on synthetic fertilisers.”
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- Jarrod Andrews, Riverina, NSW
CHALLENGE
Jarrod Andrews and his father, Jeff, have been running a sheep farm for over 30 years in the NSW Riverina. They have approximately 4,000 head of sheep over 1,100 hectares.
For grazing, they grow barley, lucerne and medic, as well as vetch and peas for hay production.
After many years of using granulated fertiliser, the Andrews’ wanted to transition their farm to a more natural system and were considering liquid nutrients.
The transition needed to ensure a quality, nutrient-dense pasture, more so than quantity, as everything grown on the farm goes back to the sheep or put into hay and silage.
Eight years ago, the Andrews came across ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients.
“We’d been looking for liquid nutrients for some time, so when we came across ECTOL, we were ready to jump straight in”, said Jarrod.
OUTCOME
Using ECTOL Crop and Pasture, the Andrews spend approximately $50 per hectare on liquid nutrients and have more than enough, nutrient-dense, high-quality feed for their 4,000 sheep.
They have also found their sowing and spraying to be more efficient, spraying herbicides and fertilisers out in one go.
“With ECTOL, the dirt just keeps getting better and better,” said Jarrod.
“We know the micronutrients is doing its job and the product is working, because the sheep are still feeding well.”
“We’ve been able to move to a more natural system and produce better quality, nutrient-dense feed, for a lower price. “If we were not using ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients, we would likely be spending double the cost on synthetic fertilisers”.
“I’d say, if you’re thinking of making the transition to more natural farming, just give it a go and get started. You might not see a huge change straight away, but you’ll definitely reap the benefits over time,” he added.
APPLICATION
The Andrews’ started with a couple of half paddock trials using 5 litres of ECTOL Protect and Grow.
Shortly after, Jarrod noticed that the sheep were grazing on the treated paddock first, before moving to the rest of the non-treated paddock.
With the decision made to proceed with ECTOL, the Andrews’ started blanket spraying the rest of the property with ECTOL Protect and Grow and NitrotainTE
to boost the health of their soil.
Now, eight years later, they do a blanket spray with one, 5 litre application of ECTOL Crop and Pasture per hectare. They have also found NutriSoil to be very complementary to ECTOL and use a combination of both products on their property.
In some cases, like this year, Jarrod has completed a follow-up 5 litre application after grazing, (approximately 4-6 weeks later) which has resulted in some great benefits for the soil, plants, and animals.
The continued use of ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients has helped to maintain their good soil health, as well as boost the microorganisms and micronutrients in the dirt.
Peas
Popany Vetch
Planet Barley
Popany Vetch
Dairy Farming
"Our property is more environmentally friendly, producing healthy plants, crops and animals – it’s better for the family too." - Tony, Merrigum, Victoria
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Download a print-ready version of Tony's testimonial here.
CHALLENGE
Tony and Kath Hogan, based in Merrigum, Victoria, have been successful dairy farmers for many years. The Hogan’s were conventional in their practice of applying nutrients to pastures, lucerne and fodder crops, using superphosphate, DAP, MAP and urea. However, after years of using acidic fertiliser and
chemicals, the Hogan’s became concerned about the impact these products and practices may be having on their soil, animal and family’s health. In 2011, Tony and Kath explored their options to transition to regenerative farming practices, looking to replace the products they’d been using for decades with more natural options.
APPLICATION
At this time, the Hogan’s completed a trial in spring on two paddocks side-by-side, one using 5 litres of ECTOL Protect and Grow and 5 litres of NitrotainTE and the other with nothing. Over the course of next 2-3 months the Hogan’s saw a noticeable difference between the two paddocks, with the ECTOL/NitrotainTE combination clearly outperforming the other.
As such, Tony and Kath began the process of transitioning their property to use ECTOL Plant and Crop Nutrients exclusively, phasing out the use of acidic fertilisers and chemicals. In the last 8 years, the Hogan’s have tried many
application rates. Last spring, they applied 3 litres of ECTOL Protect & Grow, 10 litres of ECTOLStarter and 10 litres of NitrotainTE, which has boosted the quality and yield of their pasture.
OUTCOME
Overall, Tony and Kath are extremely happy with the transition to ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients. The on-farm benefits include:
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Reduced costs
* Regular, bi-annual use of ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients in spring and autumn has improved soil health, keeping inputs down
* The use of other fertiliser products has been removed, including insecticides and fungicides, making the property more environmentally friendly Improved irrigation
* Regular, bi-annual use application of ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients has allowed the root system of the plants to penetrate to a deeper level
* The property is now watered approximately every 21 days, compared with every 7-14 days Tony and Kath wanted to maintain a successful farm, which was more environmentally friendly.
From continued, exclusive use of ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients, the Hogan’s property has not only remained very productive, it is now seen as a benchmark for some of the highest quality cattle and pastures in the region, with people asking, what are they doing differently?
“We knew it was time to change our traditional practices and haven’t looked back. With ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients, we’ve been able to remove all chemical fertiliser use from the property, which has saved us money in farm inputs annually, whilst still boosting production. Our property is more environmentally friendly, producing healthy plants, crops and animals - it’s better for the family too”. Tony Hogan
Lucerne, Dairy and Grazing
“We specifically looked at getting away from using chemical and acidic fertilisers but didn’t want to compromise quality or production.” Frank, Victoria
CHALLENGE
Frank and Maureen Leyden have owned and operated a lucerne, dairy and grazing property in Merrigum, Victoria for over 40 years.
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Already successful farmers, Frank and Maureen were keen to find new ways to increase the quality and yield of their feed.
The Leyden’s were looking for products that were more environmentally friendly and sustainable for their land, hoping to reduce the amount of chemical inputs used in their current practices.
In 2016, Frank and Maureen were introduced to ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients. Working directly with ECTOL representative, Russell Speed, the team developed a new protocol that would benefit their operation.
“We specifically looked at getting away from using chemical and acidic fertilisers but didn’t want to compromise quality or production” said Frank.
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OUTCOME
The Leyden’s are extremely happy with the results, and ultimately, believe that by using less chemicals on their land, the better their system works, as well as benefiting the overall health of their stock and family.
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“Most farmers are unaware of what is in the products they have been using over the years. Many would be shocked if they knew the long-term consequences to their land and personal health”, said Frank.
“The majority of my customers have horses. Since using ECTOL Plant & Crop Nutrients, I’ve had many people comment on how soft and palatable our lucerne is.”
“For farmers considering making a change, I’d certainly recommend speaking to the team at ECTOL,” he added.
APPLICATION
The Leyden’s started doing some trial work with small blocks using ECTOL Protect & Grow and NitrotainTE. Both products were applied at the start of Spring.
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Three weeks later the results were visibly impressive, with extra production and a much more palatable fodder for Frank’s horse customers and for his own beef cattle.
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Since this time, Frank and Maureen have introduced ECTOL-Starter as a replacement for DAP and MAP. To give themselves more options, they also use ECTOL-Starter, in combination with ECTOL Protect & Grow, and have used NitrotainTE with other products as well.