increase font size
Fonterra’s hemp plantation near its Darfield factory in Canterbury.
Fonterra is trying its hand on growing hemp and results are encouraging.
The team planted 10ha of hemp, the equivalent of 10 rugby fields, at its 850ha Darfield Farm in Canterbury, next to its Darfield processing plant.
The unique, cutting-edge trial to see how hemp grows under dairy wastewater irrigation is the first of its kind in New Zealand and likely a world first too.
It turns out that it grows very well and the pilot has been a huge success. The hemp improved profitability and productivity, while reducing the co-op’s environmental footprint.
Fonterra’s regional farm operations manager, Steve Veix, says the dry, hot Canterbury summers make it challenging to find the ideal crop to grow on-farm, which traditionally grows pasture.
“We were approached by the local Carrfields Limited team to trial planting hemp and after some research of our own, we went for it.
“From there we took advice from the team at Carrfields, given the newness of the crop in New Zealand.”
Whilst hemp looks like cannabis, it does not contain high levels of THC, the psychoactive substance found in marijuana.
Fonterra says its team found that hemp crop has many benefits: it is quick to establish, grows well, requires minimal fertiliser, is water efficient and soaks up nutrients so reduces potential leaching.
The fibre, grain and seed harvested from the hemp crop will now go on to be used in products such as flour and oil.
Veix says the success of the trial means the team at the farm are now considering increased areas across a couple of South Island farms for the coming season.
“This trial is just one of the many innovations Fonterra is doing as we try to be a more sustainable dairy producer.”
The New Zealand hemp industry is hoping for quick and comprehensive reform of its legislative framework after a recent "historic" visit to sites in Canterbury by a big group of politicians, officials and industry stakeholders.
Fonterra says it takes the ongoing threat of 'adverse cyber action' extremely seriously.
Despite the turmoil in global markets, Fonterra is continuing with a dual track process to divest its multi-billion dollars consumer businesses.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
Fonterra has named Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts the chair of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of the co-operative’s consumer business.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.
