‘Worm Hit’ has been working with farmers for several years to supply a comparative product, as an alternative for the popular synthetic products such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), and urea.
The research has paid off with the development of a fertiliser pellet that suits various types of planting equipment, says Worm Hit national sales manager Stephanie Schuppan.
The organic fertiliser provides a full typical analysis, including essential trace elements, as well as live microbial features needed for healthy and quick crop growth.
“After attending recent field days across NSW and Queensland, the feedback by farmers has been very positive, it’s so encouraging!” Ms Schuppan said.
“In times of such uncertainty, it’s a great feeling to know, that not only does Worm Hit reduce pressure on input costs, but it’s also making such a positive difference in the paddock! Plus, it has the naughty ‘O’ word, yes, organic,” Ms Schuppan said. But even though Worm Hit is organic, the vast majority of users farm conventionally.
She said due to the growing acceptance of farmers, Worm Hit has increased its manufacturing output, allowing its products to be made available for broadacre production, graziers, plus many commercial horticulture growers across the country.
“Worm Hit also recently relaunched a retail range of products that is suitable for all users. The benefits of Worm Hit with home usage is that is it’s a very safe and easy product to use, which means it is also very easy to sell,” Ms Schuppan said.
Worm Hit's products have diversified to accommodate the various segments in Australia’s agricultural marketplace. The company can service organic producers as it's certified as an allowed input, as well as conventional growers looking for a better priced replacement to solid fertiliser for the upcoming growing seasons.
Ms Schuppan said being an Australian company, Worm Hit can control supply and demand pressure while avoiding shipping delays.
"The pricing for Worm Hit fertiliser has only been slightly increased for the last three years and will remain similar for 2022," Ms Schuppan said. “The pricing for Worm Hit once set for a season offers confidence for farmers as it doesn’t fluctuate.
"Since entering the market, Worm Hit has been price competitive compared to synthetic fertilisers, as well as other organic alternatives when the required usage rate is considered. We are very happy to say this will continue during 2022 and into the 2023 seasons.
"With our unchanged pricing during 2022 in comparison to the dramatic increase in synthetic costs, we're certainly able to offer a financially attractive and effective alternative." As with all fertilisers, Ms Schuppan said the rate of usage of Worm Hit is dependent on several factors which the Worm Hit team can provide advice on.
"Importantly, the plant will have access to all the nutrients as required due to the amazing work the worms do in conjunction with the diverse biology found in vermicast.
“The microbes that are such a critical part of the process of converting the organic matter the worms are feeding on into readily plant available nutrients, are present in all Worm Hit fertiliser products.
“Worm Hit is effectively able to replace higher analysis synthetic fertiliser due to the role the microbiology plays in providing nutrients for the plant. It’s Worm Hit’s ability to hold live dormant biology within its products that makes it such a great replacement to other fertilisers,” Ms Schuppan said.
These microbes are put into a dormant state in the fertiliser by careful manufacturing techniques, along with a carbon source. Moisture activates the biology, and microbes will come alive to proliferate within the soil due to the carbon acting as a food source.
"We continue to engage various agronomists across the country to ensure advice is readily available for farmer’s various requirements," Ms Schuppan said.
“Ultimately, the addition of this biology to soil is the key to unlocking the full potential in Worm Hits' product to release the best yield within your soil.
“Farmers who've been using Worm Hit for multiple seasons have seen the fertiliser provides the results they require with their crops, plus they are receiving the benefits to their soil health and functionality for future planting,” she said.
