"Hip-Pocket Test" on R.U.M.

Farmers in Northern NSW are attempting 'a quiet revolution' in the high-cost business of fertiliser applications by using R.U.M., a liquid plant food derived from by-products of Vermiculture. (That's earthworms to us mortals!)

Developed in Inverell by Beaulieu R.U.M. Pty. Ltd., R.U.M. is a natural, liquid plant food, high in Nitrogen and containing abundant Trace Elements in solution.

Now, using the tried and true measure of the "hip-pocket test", Peter Greentree of Gunnedah is combining good farm practice with a brutal economic test.

"If it doesn't put money in my hip pocket it won't get a second chance," he said, when describing his uncompromising approach to his own field tests on R.U.M. Liquid Plant Food.

Peter has just direct-drilled 360ha to barley and wheat on his property. Prior to sowing he sprayed R.U.M. at varying rates from 2 litres/ha up to 15 litres/ha, "on a clay paddock that couldn't open if it was Woolies!"

A yearling paddock - Murrurundi. The ryegrass/phalaris/clover pasture has been sprayed with R.U.M. every six weeks since the end of April. Insert: R.U.M. treated ryegrass shows improved growth.

The test encompasses a variety of red, black and 'soft' soils with an unfertilised area as a 'control' and is being supervised by the Department of Agriculture.

Sown in late June, the barley and wheat has emerged in all paddocks, including the hard clay soil.

Root growth and tillering are at least twice as vigorous as untreated plants.

"This looks promising", Peter said, as he contemplated foliar spraying R.U.M. in the next few weeks

"Every year our chemical costs increase by an average of 15-20%. So this year I'm aiming to reduce my costs by at least that much. Now, because it looks like I'll be doubling the organic matter in the paddock, that saving should continue each year."

Peter makes the point that whilst R.U.M. adds Nitrogen it is also rich in the trace elements which are not necessarily replaced by using urea and super. "I'm concerned that anhydrous ammonia is killing micro-organisms in the ground. But by using an earthwork-based product I'm hoping to keep my fields healthy and alive. It's all designed to put something back into the soil... as well as my hip pocket."

R.U.M. acting like a low-cost, more effective wetting-agent. Really?

Imagine a liquid plant food that acts like a wetting agent, and is non-toxic. And fertilsers as you spray!

The owners of Upper Hunter thoroughbred stud, 'Rothwell Park', believe they have found one. A recent application of R.U.M. at 5l/ha, with Buttress added an the appropriate rate, resulted in a 100% 'kill' of an infestation of marshmallow and Paterson's Curse. Stud foreman Sandy Waters said that the persistence of Paterson's Curse had always been a problem in the area which boasts some of Australia's most prestigious thoroughbred studs.

"But I've never seen that stuff knocked down so quickly and completely until we added Buttress to some R.U.M."

"The boss used the mix as a foliar spray and now we've got pastures growing lushly. And Murrurundi in winter is usually too cold to expect vigorous pasture growth."

The Fine Print: The information in this newsletter is published in good faith without making or implying any warranty as to its accuracy or otherwise. It is based on interviews and other material believed by Beaulieu R.U.M. Pty. Ltd. to be accurate at the time of publication. Every person must make up their own mind as to the suitability of the products or materials referred to herein and do so at their own risk. Beaulieu R.U.M. Pty. Ltd. shall not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage or death as a result of negligence or misuse of any product or information herein provided. Permission to reproduce, copy or transmit any part of this work will not be unreasonably withheld if you just ask first.