R.U.M. Levels the Score

Rob and Steve discuss the next move in their laser-levelling program

It's a fact that laser-levelling has been one of the modern winders of land preparation. but it can also play havoc with soil structure. Trevor Kingston and son Rob nearly found out the hard way on their 1000 acre cropping property near Millmerran in South East Queensland.

After shaving up to 30cms off the top of a 45ha block, they ripped, prepared, and planted with cotton.

Mindful of the need to restore structure to the soil, they spread most of the block with a mineral phosphate dressing but, as Trevor admitted, "We actually ran out just before we finished so a strip was left untreated. Then we planted with 170 units of N and irrigated but, after the cotton crop emerged, the untreated bit was yellowish and pretty sick. And we wondered what had happened to all the Nitrogen."

That's when Trevor and Rob banded a row with 1.5L/ha R.U.M.

"Good thing we did, too!" Trevor added.

"The colour improved straight away, so we sprayed another 2.5L/ha R.U.M. over the remainder and took it off. Now the whole strip has caught up with the rest of the crop and the Nitrogen finally went where it was supposed to."

Trevor and Rob were also quick to compare the cost of applying rock phosphate (at $180/ha) with R.U.M. ($20/ha).

"If R.U.M. can turn a crop around for about one-tenth of the cost, then we'll be trialling it seriously as part of our laser-levelling program," Trevor summed up.

By reintroducing trace elements and beneficial bacteria to the soil, the Kingston's have effectively kick-started the natural processes that will rebuild their soil structure.

Beaulieu R.U.M. Liquid Plant Food should be considered for mining companies' re afforestation programs, land-clearing contractors, farmers ripping up clay under non-wetting sands and anyone with soil compaction problems.

A healthy R.U.M.-treated crop shows improved colour and vigour

Young vines benefit from R.U.M.'s earthworm technology

At one of Australia's oldest wineries in the Hunter Valley, NSW, thousands of young Verdelho rootlings are looking the better for being weaned onto R.U.M. at birth.

Sprayed fortnightly after budburst to Xmas with a mixture of 2L R.U.M. / 12L knapsack of water.

The one year old vines show considerable advancement compared with a disease-prone control group (below)