Tristan’s Pasture Nitrogen Efficiency Case Study
Case Study
Tristan — New Zealand Livestock Farm
System Overview
Farm type: Pasture-based livestock system
Approach: Conventional fertiliser programme supported with DCT
Product used: Turbo N-15
Tristan was looking for a way to reduce nitrogen inputs without compromising pasture performance or animal health, while keeping his existing fertiliser programme intact.
The Challenge
The system relied on high nitrogen application rates — around 300 kg N/ha/year — to maintain pasture production.
Despite this:
Pasture utilisation was inconsistent
Root depth was shallow
Animal health indicators, including SCC, were under pressure
Input costs continued to rise
The goal wasn’t to push production harder, but to improve efficiency and resilience.
Results Observed
Pasture & Root Development
Root depth increased from less than 7 cm to over 40 cm
Pasture remained greener and more resilient through stress periods
Improved soil structure and biological activity
Deeper roots allowed plants to access moisture and nutrients more consistently.
Nitrogen Efficiency
Nitrogen inputs reduced from approximately 300 kg/ha/year to ~70 kg/ha/year
Pasture performance was maintained and became more consistent
Improved utilisation of existing soil nutrients
The system became less reliant on frequent nitrogen applications.
Animal Health & Performance
Somatic Cell Count (SCC) reduced from approximately 250,000 to below 50,000
Improved in-calf rates reported
Fewer metabolic and health-related issues observed
Healthier, more balanced pasture translated into better animal outcomes.
Overall System Impact
Rather than driving production with higher nitrogen rates, Tristan achieved:
More stable pasture supply
Lower input costs
Improved livestock performance
Greater confidence in nutrient decisions
The result was a simpler, more resilient system.
Tristan’s Perspective
“We didn’t stop fertiliser. We just needed a lot less of it. Once the pasture started working properly, everything else improved.”
Key Takeaways
Nitrogen efficiency matters more than nitrogen volume
Deeper roots improve resilience and utilisation
Lower inputs can support stronger whole-system performance
Improvements can be made without disrupting existing fertiliser programmes
Product Used in This Case Study
Turbo N-15 — improves nitrogen retention, uptake, and pasture utilisation
Results shown are from an individual livestock system. Outcomes may vary depending on soil type, climate, and management practices.