A SUSTAINABLE Farming Approach That’s Paying Off Above and Below Ground.
Allan Marx – Dairy Farmer, Taranaki
A farming journey with foliar application transforming productivity.
Allan Marx farms in Taranaki, where he’s spent the past several years shifting his dairy operation toward a more sustainable, biology-first approach.
Frustrated by the treadmill of synthetic fertiliser use, Alan began exploring alternatives—and found Fish IT. Today, Fish IT Whole Salmon Hydrolysate is an integral part of his foliar programme, supporting soil biology, improving pasture quality, and boosting animal health without compromising performance.
The Results - At a Glance
Animal Health & Behaviour Improvements
Within six weeks of applying Fish IT, Allan noticed healthier coats and visibly improved condition in his cows. Animal health issues have dropped significantly, with very few interventions required.
Reduced Nitrogen Use
Allan has cut synthetic nitrogen use from 190 units per hectare to around 110–120 units, with confidence to reduce it further, without sacrificing pasture growth.
Even, Dense Pastures
Fish IT has supported what Allan calls “carpet grass”: dense, uniform pasture growth that cows graze evenly. Residuals are no longer patchy, even in challenging times of year.
Better Root Development & Soil Structure
Over time, Allan has observed deeper root systems and continuous improvement in soil condition, aiding plant resilience and productivity.
Multispecies Pastures Thrive
Fish IT supports diverse plantings, moving Allan away from ryegrass/clover dominance. A variety of plants contribute to soil function and animal nutrition.
Low Effort, High Return
Fish IT integrates easily into Allan’s foliar spraying programme. “It’s full of amino acids and good stuff… it’s a great product. Easy to handle.”
“Everything Kept Coming Back to Fish”
Taranaki farmer Allan Marx shares how Fish IT’s sustainable, foliar-based system improved his soil, pasture, and animal health.
Allan’s biological journey began with a growing discomfort in relying solely on chemical fertilisers. “We started chasing our tail,” he says. “It became obvious that everything we did required more and more nitrogen.”
His interest in biological farming led him to local education initiatives, including a group focused on exploring alternatives to conventional fertiliser systems. There, the same message kept coming through: feed your soil biology, especially the fungi and bacteria that underpin nutrient cycling.
“Everyone kept talking about feeding fungi and bacteria,” Allan recalls. “We learned there’s as much livestock underground as there is above ground.”
Fish IT quickly emerged as a consistent recommendation, made from whole salmon, rich in amino acids, and packed with nutrients to stimulate soil life.
Trail, and Trial Again, to Build a System that Works
“Fish IT Is Now an Integral Part of My Business”
Since switching to a predominantly foliar-based system, Fish IT has been a constant.
“Fish IT is an integral part of my business these days,” Allan says. “It was a light bulb moment when we realised we had to look after the soil health, and that fungi in the ground are an integral part of that.”
With Fish IT feeding the fungi, Allan has seen benefits not just underground, but also in pasture growth and cow performance.
Healthier Animals That Seek Out the Pasture where Fish IT is Applied
One of the most immediate effects Allan noticed was in his cows. “The first thing I noticed was a change in the animal behaviour and animal health.”
Allan recalls cows seeking out the product, licking it off his boots after spraying, and responding positively to pastures where Fish IT had been applied. “I believe that was the amino acids they were looking for,” he says.
Animal health improvements have followed.
“There was just a noticeable change in the appearance of the animals… incredibly healthy. Very few health problems. I’ve had the vet on farm twice this season.”
A More Diverse, More Resilient Pasture System
Allan has also moved away from monoculture pastures toward diverse multi-species swards.
“We’re not just ryegrass and clover anymore,” he says. “All those plants are symbiotic. They all do different things in the soil, breaking compaction, releasing or extracting nutrients.”
The result is a healthier system overall, plants working with microbes, supporting cows, and building soil function.
Fish IT Becomes Core to the Farm System
Allan Marx when talking about his move to a more sustainable approach to nutrient use on farm “It was a light bulb moment.”
Fish IT now plays a foundational role in Allan’s fertiliser strategy.
“I started with a very conventional system—180 to 190 units of nitrogen per hectare,” he explains. “But I began chasing my tail. Everything we did needed more and more N.”
Today, Allan is using around 110 to 120 units per hectare and is comfortable reducing it further. Fish IT has allowed him to make that transition while maintaining—or even increasing—pasture production.
“We’re probably growing more kilograms of dry matter than we were, but we’re certainly doing it with a lot less N. That’s got to be good for us all.”
A Straightforward, High-Value Product
Allan finds Fish IT easy to work with and highly effective.
“It’s made from whole salmon down in Thornbury,” he says. “There’s lots of fish in it, full of amino acids and good stuff.”
He recommends applying Fish IT at 10 litres per hectare, 5 to 6 times per year, as part of any foliar programme. “It’s a great product. Easy to handle. Just give it a shake and go.”
Allan’s Message to Other Farmers
To anyone thinking of making the shift, Allan’s advice is simple:
“If you’ve got a Tow and Fert or a boom sprayer, just give it a go. You’ll notice the difference straight away.”
Above: Clover makes up a portion of Allans pastures which also contains other mixed pasture species.