New Zealand and Australia are countries with a high proportion of natural grazing lands, mostly pastures, within their territories. Grasslands are the least human-altered part of nature and, at the same time, susceptible to human influence and vulnerable, as they primarily serve as grazing grounds for domestic and wild animals. To a lesser extent, natural lands are used for fodder harvesting. With low levels of nutrients in the soil, they yield only about 1.5 - 3.0 tons per hectare of dry matter. They are an integral part of the world around us. Caring for natural vegetation without harming the animals grazing on it is a challenging task, as the methods of its improvement are limited. Perennial grasslands absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and release phytoncides into the atmosphere, thereby purifying it. Grasses are a crucial means of reducing the influx of heavy metals, radionuclides, nitrates, and other harmful substances not only into rivers and reservoirs but also into the food chain. Grasses, by increasing the humus content in the soil, enhance its buffering and absorbing properties.

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Among the most common perennial pasture grasses in New Zealand, it is worth noting Ryegrass, Cockfoot, Tall fescue, White clover, Plantain cultivars, and Chicory. All of these grasses grow and adapt well to hot, dry conditions due to their deep-rooted systems and are valuable fodder for animals. The goal of pasture cultivation is to increase the proportion of valuable fodder grasses and extend their productive lifespan. However, the landscape conditions of the country do not always allow for traditional improvement methods using agricultural machinery and mineral fertilizers. The mountainous terrain of New Zealand, the complexity of access to agricultural machinery, and the remoteness of certain areas limit their use.

Manaseer Natural Green (MNG) has a unique technology and product portfolio that is exceptionally suited for restoring natural landscapes, even in challenging environments such as New Zealand.

The advantages of MNG technology over existing traditional fertilization methods are as follows:

1. 100% natural composition: MNG fertilizers are created from natural minerals without any chemical processes involved. Their action imitates natural processes, ensuring compatibility with the environment. Natural landscapes have evolved over millions of years to adapt to the gradual seasonal influx of nutrients through the decomposition of plant roots, soil microorganisms, and fauna. Aggressive mineral NPK fertilizers change mineralization and humification processes in the soil, affecting the composition of grasslands and, consequently, fodder quality.
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2. Wide range of nutrients: MNG fertilizers contain calcium, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, iron, boron, zinc, manganese, selenium, and other micronutrients, as well as humic, fulvic, and amino acids. Traditional fertilizers typically contain one to three elements. Unbalanced nitrogen fertilization, especially with increasing doses of mineral fertilizers, leads to an increase not only in raw protein content but also in nitrates. There is a correlation between raw protein content and nitrates – the higher the protein content, the higher the nitrate content, especially with increased levels of mineral nutrition. The reason is that mineral nitrogen, absorbed by plants in large quantities, does not have enough time to be "utilized" and accumulates in plants in a non-protein form. This is unacceptable for farms focused on eco-friendly production. MNG fertilizers increase the raw protein content by activating the consumption of soil nitrogen and do not lead to a surge in nitrates in the feed.
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3. ‍Root growth enhancement: MNG fertilizers stimulate root system growth, whereas traditional NPK fertilizers, especially in high doses, decrease root mass. In highly nutrient-rich environments, plants do not need to develop a robust root system, which makes them more susceptible to stress, especially droughts and hot periods. A developed root system plays a crucial role in pastures, as it determines the lifespan of plants. The more powerful the root system and sod, the more resistant the fodder to trampling. The deeper the plant roots penetrate, the more natural nutrients and water they can absorb for nourishment and growth.

4. Dry matter content increase: MNG fertilizers contain nutrients that promote an increase in dry matter content in leaf mass, while nitrogen fertilizers increase the content of protoplasm in cells, leading to increased water content in plants. This increases the risk of lodging, trampling, and susceptibility to various grass diseases.
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5. Application efficiency: MNG foliar fertilizers are applied in small doses – 1.5-3.0 kg/ha per application, and they can be applied using unmanned aerial vehicles, whereas traditional NPK fertilizers require tractors and mineral fertilizer spreaders, which cannot be delivered to mountainous areas.
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6. Deep penetration and uniform distribution: Traditional mineral fertilizers can only be applied superficially on pastures, and they also affect the 0-5 cm layer, acidifying the soil and depleting it of calcium and magnesium. Along with that, MNG foliar fertilizers penetrate the leaf surface, circulate through the plant, reach the root system, and remain at the depth of the soil where the roots are located after their death. This results in more efficient enrichment of both leaf mass and sod and root systems, as well as more uniform nutrient distribution.
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7. Energy efficiency: Pastures, including above-ground and underground biomass, accumulate gross energy in the ecosystem, which allows compensation for total anthropogenic costs. The production and application of MNG fertilizers save natural and anthropogenic resources compared to the production and application of traditional mineral fertilizers. The use of solar energy, anthropogenic energy sources, water reserves, and soil moisture occurs more rationally, ultimately benefiting the environment.

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In February 2024, MNG fertilizers creator, Victor Sukau, visited New Zealand, where he supervised the field trials establishment of the company's products on the natural pastures of Pepin Island, intended for grazing beef cattle.

​​Trial location details

Soil analysis (made within the past 3 years): 

• Soil type: sedimentary 
• Soil pH: 5,4-5,6 acid soils 
• Salinity of irrigation water: no irrigation water 

Annual rainfall: 959 mm, 64 mm in February, 7% of annual

Weather conditions during application: clear, +27, light wind 

1. 1st application date – 7/02/24
2. 2nd application date  - 22/02/24
3. 3rd application date  - 22/03/24

The trial's goal was to assess the agronomic and economic efficiency of foliar feedings on natural pastures using drones. Two trials were conducted:

First trial:

1. Control, untreated.
2. MNG Classic Plus - 1st application: 1.5 kg/ha, 2nd application: 1.5 kg/ha after 15 days.
3. MNG Classic Plus - 1st application: 1.5 kg/ha, 2nd application: 1.5 kg/ha after 45 days.

Second trial:

1. Control, untreated.
2. MNG Seed Treatment - 1st application: 1.5 kg/ha, 2nd application: 1.5 kg/ha after 15 days.
3. MNG Seed Treatment - 1st application: 1.5 kg/ha, 2nd application: 1.5 kg/ha after 45 days.

Applications were done using T40 Spray Drone UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), with the first application's solution volume being 40 l/ha. Monitoring changes in the trial area involved tracking the NDVI index and recording the yield and quality of the green mass obtained.

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We believe that MNG's strategy for developing and sustaining high-quality natural pastures will enable the production of top-notch, eco-friendly animal feed while also conserving natural resources, anthropogenic resources, and soil fertility.