View Our Strategy Document 2019 – 2024
November 02, 2023
Resources for
Farm Advisors
Paul Sutherland
As a rural professional, you can help farmers and growers understand the drivers for regulation and get ahead of the game. Be confident in trying new approaches, with case studies and evidence-based resources to inform on-farm decision making and reduce risk.
Summary
Sensors increase understanding and interest
Real-time nitrate sensors increased farmer understanding of contaminant pathways through their farm and the impact of rainfall events, and grew community interest in water quality…
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Adapting land for a climate-changed future
Farmers are keen to understand the changing climate at a granular, local level and initiated this project looking at adaptation in mid-Canterbury. Farmers said it…
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Alternative kale feeding
Greenfeed crops can be an important winter feed source, but intensive grazing needs careful management. This project found environmental and management benefits to harvesting kale…
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How much nitrogen does asparagus need?
A project to develop a best practice guide for the use of nitrogen in asparagus crops in New Zealand was hampered by one of the…
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Measuring real-time nitrogen loss in cropping
Research showed it was possible to measure and reduce nitrogen (N) loss in real-time from a vegetable production paddock in the Hawke’s Bay. How effective…
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New test for biological soil health
A quick way to assess the biological health of soil has been developed using molecular techniques to measure earthworm activity, but this needs more work…
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Next generation key to future of whenua
Case studies of two Māori Land Trusts aim to identify a pathway that will engage a new generation of kaitiaki to protect historically and culturally…
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Regenerative agriculture – opening up the wallet
Regenerative agriculture has potential as a selling point for our export markets, but how do the numbers stack up for farmers? This article summarises the…
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Shelter from the storm
Composting shelters offer shade from the summer sun, and keep cows and staff warm and dry in winter while reducing pasture damage and nitrate leaching.…
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Summer salads for hill country cattle
As climate variability increases, farmers need resilient summer forage crops. With pasture quality falling during mid- and late-summer this project explored mixed-species, single-graze forage crops…
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The supplement struggle
New Zealand’s dairy industry is so reliant on internationally produced supplements that production and profitability would be impacted significantly if this food supply was interrupted.…
Journal Article
Drone Use in On-Farm Environmental Compliance: An Investigation of Regulators’ Perspectives
Freshwater resources around the world are under increasing pressure from agricultural activities. As a result, regulatory frameworks around on-farm environmental compliance have become more complex.…