Soil science & trace elements
Macronutrients
Nitrogen (N)
Soil/Plant: Protein, amino acids, chlorophyll, leaf and stem growth
Animal: Muscle development, milk production, overall growth
Phosphorus (P)
Soil/Plant: Root development, energy transfer (ATP), flowering, seed formation - Animal: Bone development, reproduction, energy metabolism
Potassium (K)
Soil/Plant: Water balance, enzyme activation, stress tolerance, disease resistance
Animal: Electrolyte balance, muscle function, overall health
Calcium (Ca)
Soil/Plant: Cell wall formation, enzyme activation, nutrient regulation
Animal: Strong bones and teeth, nerve function, muscle contraction
Magnesium (Mg)
Soil/Plant: Chlorophyll, photosynthesis, enzyme activation
Animal: Muscle function, nerve transmission, bone strength
Sulphur (S)
Soil/Plant: Amino acids, proteins, enzyme function, chlorophyll synthesis
Animal: Protein synthesis, wool/hair growth, metabolism
Sodium (Na)
Soil/Plant: Osmotic regulation, some enzyme activity
Animal: Fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, appetite stimulation.
Nutrients Flow: Soil → Plant → Animal Health
Trace Elements
Boron (B) – Cell wall formation, fruit/seed development → animal growth and reproductive health
Copper (Cu) – Enzyme activation, photosynthesis → bone development, immune health
Iron (Fe) – Chlorophyll synthesis, respiration → supports hemoglobin formation
Manganese (Mn) – Enzyme activation, photosynthesis → reproductive and metabolic support
Molybdenum (Mo) – Nitrogen fixation → energy and protein metabolism in animals
Zinc (Zn) – Enzyme function, growth regulation → immune function, growth, reproduction
Cobalt (Co) – Nitrogen fixation in plants → vitamin B12 synthesis in ruminants
Selenium (Se) – Stress tolerance, antioxidant support → antioxidant, muscle and reproductive health
Sodium (Na) – Osmotic balance → electrolyte and nerve function in animals
CODE OF PRACTICE for Nutrient Management
(Fertiliser Association of New Zealand):
This industry-standard guideline promotes the 4R principles:
Right product
Right rate
Right time
Right place
It emphasises balanced nutrition and that nutrient interactions must be considered, and specifically states that nutrients should be managed in combination, as one nutrient can affect the uptake or efficiency of another.
At UPTAKE we believe in the principle ‘Treat in combination not isolation’ – that’s why we include all the 16 trace elements required for healthy soil and animals.
If you’re not replacing them in your soil, you’re probably injecting these into your animals at the shed. This leads to the question – then why use fertiliser?
The role of trace elements in plant & animal health.
For optimal pasture and crop growth, at least 13 essential nutrients are required. In addition, 3 more elements are critical for maintaining animal health.
These nutrients perform highly specific biological functions, and even small deficiencies or imbalances can result in:
Stunted plant growth
Lower pasture quality
Reduced animal fertility, immunity, or productivity
Inefficient use of applied fertiliser
Key trace elements include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, boron, manganese, iron, molybdenum, cobalt, selenium, and iodine.
Custom nutrition through soil science.
At UPTAKE, we start with science. Our approach begins with detailed soil and herbage analysis to identify nutrient deficiencies and imbalances.
From there, we develop a custom fertiliser blend tailored to your land’s specific requirements.
This ensures:
Greater nutrient efficiency
Stronger root development and plant resilience
Higher-quality, nutrient-dense forage for livestock
Sustainable long-term soil health
Don’t let budget priorities limit performance.
In many cases, phosphate takes up the majority of the fertiliser budget, leaving essential trace elements overlooked. But neglecting these nutrients can limit plant growth, compromise animal health, and reduce the return on fertiliser investment.