Independent Whanganui fertiliser broker Robin Casey gave visiting Lincoln University agricultural students an alternative view to problem solving last week.
The students were on a tour of several farms with a soil scientist as tour leader.
"During their visit to the farm I was at they asked about fertiliser, so I was happy to talk to them about my field," Mr Casey said.
"The soil scientist, not surprisingly, regarded soil tests as one of his main tools, but for me herbage analysis is far more important. In fact, for me herbage analysis trumps soil tests any day. Soil tests produce handy information to have, but at the end of the day it's the herbage that's going down animals' throats."
The students were also lectured on Mr Casey's ability to employ a range of options to solve problems.
As an independent not solely aligned to company mantra, Mr Casey has the luxury of utilising the best of both worlds, liquid and solid fertilisers. He does, however, sway more toward seaweed-based liquid products.