Cornel Schweizer
Dairy Farmer
With over 30 years of farming behind him, Cornel knows success comes from paying attention to the details, like regular soil testing.
How did you get into farming, and what’s kept you here?
“My parents were dairy farmers. I did a bit of electrical and engineering work first, then at 29 I started as a farmhand and never really looked back. Farming’s so multifaceted – you’ve got to be an accountant, a vet, a mechanic, a scientist. That variety’s part of what keeps it interesting.”
How do you use testing on your farm?
“We do soil testing biannually to monitor what’s going on under the surface. Not every part of the farm needs the same thing, so testing helps us put on what’s needed, where it’s needed, and not overdo it.”
“Soil is quite a complex picture. It’s not just the clinical elements, it’s the biological elements like worm activities and microbiobes. I always come back to what’s tried and true. Fert’s important, but it only works if other things are in place too – like sunlight and water. And you can’t control the weather. So testing helps me have a plan, and a backup for when things don’t go to plan.”
What kind of difference has it made to your farm’s efficiency?
“We’re a system 2 – we make most of our own supplements on-farm, so we need good grass
growth through spring and early summer to get that done. That means the timing and amount of fert we apply has a big effect on how well we set up for the rest of the season.”
Any advice to other farmers about testing or planning their fert use?
“You’re learning all the time. Technology changes, fertiliser changes – you’ve got to keep an
open mind. Just because the neighbour’s doing something doesn’t mean it’s right for your place.
Find a system that suits your farm and fine-tune it. There’s always room to improve.”
