Healthy, productive pasture is the backbone of any livestock system, and improving pasture performance doesn’t always require more fertiliser. Increasingly, New Zealand farmers are turning to EM™ (Effective Microorganisms) to unlock the natural biological processes that drive stronger growth, better feed quality, and long-term soil health.
By stimulating beneficial microbes in the soil and on plant surfaces, EM™ supports more resilient pastures and helps farmers get more from the inputs they already use.
Let’s dive in on how EM™ works, why it improves pasture quality, and what benefits farmers are seeing across NZ.
Why Soil Biology Matters for Pasture Performance
Pasture health starts with the biology beneath the surface.
Soil microbes:
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Convert organic matter into plant-available nutrients
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Improve nitrogen cycling
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Strengthen root development
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Enhance moisture retention
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Build better soil structure
When microbial life is active and balanced, grass recovers faster, maintains quality longer, and performs better under stress.
EM™ works by amplifying these biological processes.
How EM™ Improves Pasture Growth
1. Stimulates nutrient cycling
EM™ contains communities of beneficial bacteria and fungi that help break down organic matter and release nutrients locked in the soil. This supports:
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Consistent nitrogen availability
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Improved phosphorus mobilisation
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Better trace element uptake
More available nutrients mean healthier, faster-growing pasture.
2. Enhances root development
Stronger roots allow plants to:
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Access deeper moisture
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Take up nutrients more efficiently
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Recover quickly after grazing
Farmers routinely report denser, more fibrous root systems when EM™ is used regularly, a key driver of resilience during dry periods.
3. Improves feed quality
High-quality pasture depends on more than just growth rate.
EM™ supports improved feed quality by:
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Increasing plant Brix (sugar levels)
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Supporting protein production
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Reducing plant stress
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Enhancing overall metabolisable energy
Livestock benefit through better intake, better conversion, and improved weight gain.
4. Supports clover growth and nitrogen fixation
Clover thrives in biologically active soils.
EM™ boosts microbial populations that support:
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Rhizobia activity
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Mycorrhizal fungi
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Symbiotic nitrogen fixation
This reduces pressure on fertiliser inputs while maintaining pasture performance.
5. Builds long-term soil health
Regular use of EM™ improves soil structure by promoting the formation of stable aggregates.
Benefits include:
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Reduced compaction
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Better water infiltration
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Lower runoff
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Improved drought tolerance
Healthy soil produces healthy pasture, season after season.
Real Benefits Farmers Are Reporting
Across NZ, farmers using EM™ in pasture systems are seeing:
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Faster regrowth after grazing
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Improved clover presence
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Higher feed quality
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Stronger performance under drought
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Reduced reliance on synthetic fertiliser
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Healthier soil with better long-term productivity
Many also report more resilient swards and visibly better root mass, especially where EM™ is used in combination with organic matter inputs or effluent management systems.
How to Use EM™ to Improve Pasture
Farmers typically apply EM™ through:
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Pasture spraying (pre- or post-grazing)
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Effluent systems
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Irrigation
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Liquid fertiliser mixes
Regular applications support ongoing microbial activity and maintain long-term soil improvement.
Independent Research
EMNZ has invested in independent research to show how EM can positively impact pasture growth and clover content, giving farmers reasurance that they can prfit from using products the enhance there system rather than detract from it.
See Independent Pasture trial from PastureFirst.
A Biological Path to Better Pasture
Pasture performance doesn’t rely solely on fertiliser, it relies on biology.
EM™ works by supporting the natural microbial systems responsible for soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and plant health.
For farmers looking to strengthen resilience, improve feed quality, and build long-term pasture productivity, EM™ is a practical, proven tool that works with nature, not against it.
