About Us
Rudi Woutersen and
Jolanda Gouweleeuw
Owners R & J Agri Spray Limited
Rudi Woutersen and Jolanda Gouweleeuw own and operate R & J Agri Spray, a Tow and Fert spray application service operating from Woodlands, 15 minutes from Invercargill, and half an hour from Gore. Rudi and Jolanda own three Tow and Fert spray application machines, two large 4000 litre tanks which are towed by JCB tractors, plus a smaller 1000 litre tank that they have attached to a smaller truck.
They have 25 years of experience managing farms, which is where they began their passion for soil health and liquid applications instead of granular and partical applications.
Soil Microbes Create Harmony With The Soil, Plant, And The Rumen
Rudi and Jolanda are not alone in their belief that farming starts with the soil. When the microbes in the soil are healthy and have all that they need, the soil is then able to provide the plant with what it needs, and a healthy plant full of nutrition is healthy for the animal that consumes it. They cycle goes even further, a healthy cow will produce high quality milk.
The converse is also true. If the soil is not performing at its best, it is difficult for the plant to access the nutrients that it needs to grow. If the nutrients are not in the plant, then the animal is not getting all that it needs.
“We were dairy farmers for 25 years and understand the realities on farm. Trying to keep up with local and national changes, animal welfare and time constraints certainly present challenges to the farming community”
We are starting to hear about issues on high performing farms. Often these are farms that are reliant on high nitrogen use throughout the season to maintain the growth that the need from the grass. What is actually happening though is that the nitrogen is producing proteins that the animal is unable to process. This has the effect on animal health. Mastitis, lameness and empty rates can be an issue for the farm. And the farm is somewhat trapped in a cycle of having to maintain the high nitrogen application to sustain the grass growth to sustain production levels.
As from 1st July 2021, the N-Cap limit of 190 N/KG/HA will come into force.
High producing farms are looking for alternatives that are able to give them the same grass growing ability, but at a reduced rate of nitrogen.
The Tow and Fert machine is well placed to achieve this result for the high producing farm, or any farm that is wanting to reduce its nitrogen application. By diluting the nitrogen into liquid and applying it by spray, a lot less product is needed. It is more efficient, kinder on the land, waterways and the pocket.
