Here’s what our Growers have to say
As a regenerative farming business, a relationship with NewTech Minerals has been instrumental in getting groundwork set.
Their passion and knowledge each in the products they sell and their ability to problem solve has been a valuable resource to rely on.
The enhancement of plant health has extended the growing season, which in turn livestock health has improved resulting in less supplemental intervention required.
The improvement noticed on the farm of mushrooms, native grasses and plant diversity is testimonial of the quality of their range of products.
~ Gilberdale, Kapunda, SA
"Using products advised by NewTech has transformed our crop results in multiple ways. We’ve seen sustained higher brix levels in our vines at every growth stage, thanks to improved nutrient availability and cycling. The products are also incredibly easy to fertigate, with excellent flowability that saves us time and hassle. Our soil friability and water infiltration have noticeably improved within the drip zone, suggesting a healthy boost in soil biology.
After using Reviver Powder and liquid injecting NutriSoil, we harvested our best-ever oat crop. Remarkably, we also saw zero cases of powdery mildew in our vines after applying Silicate Water post-flowering. Our grapes have shown increased nutrient density, weight, and skin strength. We couldn’t be happier with these results!"
~ Mount Rufus Organics, Clare Valley, SA
“I’ve trialled many wetters over the years and KemGro’s Bowa is the best I’ve ever used; hands down”
~ Grape Grower, Clare Valley SA
"Our experience with our crops has been nothing short of transformative. We have noticed a significant reduction in pest insect pressure, with issues only arising during extreme moisture stress. Maintaining the right balance of moisture has been key; too little or too much moisture can cause problems.
One remarkable phenomenon we’ve observed is the immediate translocation of silica from the roots to the shoots when the plants are under attack, creating an instant "bump on effect" that enhances their resilience. This has led to tremendous improvements in quality across our crops.
We’ve successfully cut our fertilizer costs in half, and we no longer have the need for spraying, resulting in a healthier growing environment. This year, we also achieved a 75% reduction in weed pressure with half the amount of semi-trailer loads we used previously.
Our plants are noticeably less stalky with a consistent height and longer stand, which has resulted in high-quality feed. Animals, including horses and livestock, instinctively recognize this quality and gravitate towards the silica hay.
Furthermore, we have adopted a strategic approach to harvesting. We deliberately avoid cutting into frost, allowing the last bits of our lucerne crop to undergo frost treatment. This practice promotes sugar translocation and helps us maximize our lucerne yield, enabling us to sustainably rely on it for 5-7 years before transitioning, while other areas in the Lockyer Valley typically only get about 2-3 years out of a stand.
Overall, the positive changes we’ve experienced have elevated the quality of our crops, reduced unnecessary costs, and reinforced our commitment to sustainable practices."
~ Peter Grayson, Potato Grower, Queensland
"We have been growing potatoes on our 100 acres for many years, dedicating 15 acres annually for seed production. With a rate of 1 ton per acre, we found that applying our mixture of silica, brown coal, and calcium carbonate resulted in improved outcomes over the years. Initially, the headlands were twice as high, but by the second and third years, our yields exceeded expectations, indicating a positive change in soil health.
Despite not dressing our paddocks since 2010, we have consistently produced excellent potato crops year on year. The seed crops we now cultivate in commercial ground were previously unheard of due to the high disease risk. However, we have observed no nematodes or any significant fungal diseases, and notably, the Irish blight has disappeared.
Over time, we’ve seen a noticeable reduction in leaf area and moisture levels before the plants show signs of moisture—usually at about 60%, now down to 20%—which has lessened insect pressure as well. We have even experienced a shift in the weed types, with pigweed indicating that our soil is thriving.
Our irrigation system, using trickle tape and being the first to adopt this method in Australia back in the '90s, has enabled considerable water savings while maintaining optimal tuber size, provided they are planted correctly. We've achieved pack-out sizes of 15-18 tons per acre each year with the Atlantic variety, using whole potatoes for planting.
Moreover, we have discovered that poorly mineralised crops tend to freeze at 2°C, whereas mineral-rich plants withstand temperatures as low as -2°C, demonstrating their resilience. The overall results speak for themselves: Our farms are thriving without the use of fungicides, insecticides, or herbicides, and we are proud of our progress in regenerative agriculture using the blends from NewTech Minerals"
~ Peter Grayson, Potato Grower, Queensland
“Both Greg and Adam are very knowledgeable in soil health and are really helpful in assisting farmers transition away from chemical farming”
~ Bunyara Merino and Poll Merino Stud, Moculta, SA