No Worms… Then This Happened
Ross and Lance didn’t expect to find a lack of soil life across their Reporoa dairy farm – but digging holes and finding no worms sparked a journey that reshaped how they farm.
In this episode, Stephen and Ewan sit down with the pair to explore their transition away from conventional inputs and into biological system thinking. What began as curiosity has evolved into a complete mindset shift – from chasing nitrogen and spraying weeds to rebuilding soil depth, improving animal health, and regaining confidence in the farm system.
The conversation follows their two-and-a-half-year journey, including the tough first 12 months, the drop in pasture production, and the turning point when animal health rebounded and costs began to fall. From reducing nitrogen from 150 units to just 5, eliminating Roundup and routine drenching, and watching worm castings return, this episode explores what really happens when you move from feeding plants to feeding soil biology.
In this episode we discuss:
• Dropping nitrogen from 150 units to 5 – and what happened next
• The first-year “shake” and why most transitions feel worse before they improve
• Animal health changes, milk urea pressure, and reducing nitrate stress
• Even grazing patterns, calmer cows, and fewer flies
• Cutting Roundup, urea, summer crops, and imported feed
• Herbage testing and understanding excess nitrogen in pasture
• Rebuilding red clover density and growing deeper topsoil
• Lifestyle shifts, lower health inputs, and regaining control of the farm
• Why solving problems through nutrition changes long-term outcomes
Using real on-farm examples, the discussion shows how shifting from a consumable input model to a soil-first biological system doesn’t just change pasture – it changes decision-making, confidence, and lifestyle. Rather than chasing symptoms with more product, the focus becomes removing limiting factors, stabilising biology, and building a system that strengthens year after year.
Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – http://www.efa.nz
📘 Our FREE E-Book:
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/
🎧 Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=a8813910174d4136
In this episode, Stephen and Ewan sit down with the pair to explore their transition away from conventional inputs and into biological system thinking. What began as curiosity has evolved into a complete mindset shift – from chasing nitrogen and spraying weeds to rebuilding soil depth, improving animal health, and regaining confidence in the farm system.
The conversation follows their two-and-a-half-year journey, including the tough first 12 months, the drop in pasture production, and the turning point when animal health rebounded and costs began to fall. From reducing nitrogen from 150 units to just 5, eliminating Roundup and routine drenching, and watching worm castings return, this episode explores what really happens when you move from feeding plants to feeding soil biology.
In this episode we discuss:
• Dropping nitrogen from 150 units to 5 – and what happened next
• The first-year “shake” and why most transitions feel worse before they improve
• Animal health changes, milk urea pressure, and reducing nitrate stress
• Even grazing patterns, calmer cows, and fewer flies
• Cutting Roundup, urea, summer crops, and imported feed
• Herbage testing and understanding excess nitrogen in pasture
• Rebuilding red clover density and growing deeper topsoil
• Lifestyle shifts, lower health inputs, and regaining control of the farm
• Why solving problems through nutrition changes long-term outcomes
Using real on-farm examples, the discussion shows how shifting from a consumable input model to a soil-first biological system doesn’t just change pasture – it changes decision-making, confidence, and lifestyle. Rather than chasing symptoms with more product, the focus becomes removing limiting factors, stabilising biology, and building a system that strengthens year after year.
Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – http://www.efa.nz
📘 Our FREE E-Book:
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/
🎧 Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=a8813910174d4136
Let’s work together to create the greatest soil on earth
Discover how working with nature can unlock the potential of your farm. By focusing on improving soil health and using sustainable practices, you can enhance crop yields, boost animal health, and create a resilient, thriving farm. Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your land’s needs and your vision for success.