Where Inches Matter by Agraforum Podcast By Agraforum NZ cover art

Where Inches Matter by Agraforum

Where Inches Matter by Agraforum

By: Agraforum NZ
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Soil health is the foundation of productive & profitable farming, but why aren't we focused on fixing soil structure and nutrients to improv animal health?

The answers lies just a few inches beneath the surface Where Inches Matter.

Hosted by Allan Piercy—dairy veterinarian-turned-soil nutrient advisor—dives deep into the unseen factors of poor cow performance that are hindering New Zealand dairy farms success.

Drawing on decades of experience in his own rural veterinary practice and hands-on work with farmer's cow health issues.

Allan explores the critical connection between soil compaction, nutrient imbalances, and livestock health. From the unintended consequences of urea use to global insights on soil restoration, this series uncovers practical solutions that can transform pastures, improve crop yields, and enhance animal wellbeing.

Join Allan as he shares his real-world experiences, farmer interviews, and innovative strategies to help farmers build healthier soils and more sustainable operations. Because in farming, small changes beneath the surface can lead to big results above it.

For more information about Agraforum, visit https://agraforum.co.nz/

2026 © 2025 Agraforum NZ Limited. All rights reserved. Earth Sciences Economics Science
Episodes
  • Ep 8 - Replacing Urea with Biology? The Science Behind BioN

    Ep 8 - Replacing Urea with Biology? The Science Behind BioN
    Mar 24 2026

    In this episode of Where Inches Matter, Allan Piercy interviews Gerhard Vermaak of Custom Chemistry, developer of BioN - a patented biological nitrogen fixation technology. Over the past three years, replicated New Zealand pasture trials have shown statistically significant results, with BioN matching or exceeding urea performance under commercial conditions.

    Topics covered include:
    • The energy equation behind nitrogen fixation
    • Why microbes need carbon and how photosynthetic bacteria supply it
    • The 1000:1 carbon-to-nitrogen relationship explained
    • Water rates, soil volume and macro-porosity
    • The role of molybdenum, cobalt and iron in nitrogenase function
    • Cold weather performance
    • Glyphosate, copper and microbial sensitivity
    • Why this behaves like a true slow-release nitrogen source
    • Patent status and global rollout

    This is a technical discussion grounded in field data and real farm experience.

    Subscribe for more episodes focused on practical, evidence-based agronomy.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    41 mins
  • Ep7 - Dairy Farmer Cuts Fertiliser Use Without Losing Growth | Dion Gordon’s Story

    Ep7 - Dairy Farmer Cuts Fertiliser Use Without Losing Growth | Dion Gordon’s Story
    Mar 24 2026

    Dion Gordon manages three dairy farms in Canterbury, milking 3,500 cows across a range of soil types.

    What began with closer soil testing and questioning fertiliser use led to changes in how nitrogen is supplied across the farm.

    In this episode of Where Inches Matter, Dion talks about reducing fertiliser inputs, why BioN made sense as an alternative to urea, and how the system is still delivering the same pasture growth, with a lower footprint.

    Listen to the full episode now.

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    8 mins
  • Ep 6 - Proof in the paddock with Stu Russell

    Ep 6 - Proof in the paddock with Stu Russell
    Dec 18 2025

    In this episode of Where Inches Matter, we sit down with coastal dairy farmer Stu Russell to talk soil compaction, nitrogen decisions, and what actually changed on farm after trialling Bio-N.

    From half-paddock trials to replicated data, Stu shares what he saw when he stepped back from routine urea use and gave biology a chance to do the work. We unpack how Bio-N fits into a real farming system, what the numbers are saying so far, and why reliability matters more than promises.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    20 mins
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