Monday, 23 March 2020 11:30

Post-quake study reveals hort potential

Written by  Nigel Malthus
Plant & Food Research Science Group Leader Dr Brent Clothier on the Ngai Tahu Farming trial orchard at Balmoral, near Culverden. Photo: Supplied. Plant & Food Research Science Group Leader Dr Brent Clothier on the Ngai Tahu Farming trial orchard at Balmoral, near Culverden. Photo: Supplied.

Large areas of North Canterbury and South Marlborough – affected by the 2016 Kaikoura Earthquakes – offer wide potential for horticulture.

A Plant and Food Research investigation has found that several crops – in particular, apples, grapes, hazelnuts and walnuts – could be grown in pockets throughout the region.

It identified 41,515 ha of land – or about 9% of the total 466,000ha – that would potentially be suitable. 

The study was commissioned by the Post Quake Farming (PQF) project, an MPI-funded programme to support the recovery of farming businesses and future land use decisions in the area affected by the quakes. 

The study’s co-author, Dr Brent Clothier, of Plant and Food Research, Palmerston North, said it began with a series of community engagement meetings where a list of crops suitable for investigation was agreed upon. These included apples, kiwifruit, wine grapes, blueberries, avocados, hazelnuts and walnuts. In response to community feedback, the scope has been further expanded to hops and hemp. 

While it found that apples, grapes and nuts would be suitable on the right land across the region, avocados and kiwifruit generally would not be suitable – while blueberries were only marginally suitable in certain areas. 

Clothier said the first part of the study was a “broad brush sweep” across the post-quake region, identifying areas that met four basic criteria:

Land Use Capability (LUC) class 1, 2, or 3. Under the LUC regime, New Zealand has been mapped into eight LUC classes, 1 being the best land and 8 the worst, due to limitations around water, erosion, root zone depth, drainage etc. “We feel that horticulture requires land that has few limitations, or limitations that can be easily mitigated,” said Clothier.

The land slope less than 15 degrees (initially 8 degrees but relaxed because there are existing successful vineyard developments in steeper land north of Waipara).

Growing Degree Days (GDD) greater than 800, because of the need for warmth over summer to get a horticultural crop through to maturity.

Frost-Free Period (FFP) of 180 days or more.

In the second stage, the researchers applied specific rules for the specific crops, matched against detailed climatic analysis using NIWA’s Virtual Climate Station Networks.

The study found that the area north of Kaikoura, for example, would be suitable for apples and nut crops. But because of cool summer days it would not be suitable for outdoor growing of blueberries and only “marginal” for blueberries under protective covers. The area was also only “moderately suitable” for wine grapes because of slightly too much Autumn rain.

Clothier said the first two stages of the study were a desktop exercise, with findings presented to farmers in the region in a series of meetings in September. 

It was now in a third stage of “ground-truthing” the study by visiting farms in the region to see what has been successfully grown over the years – ranging from small commercial growers to “where granny used to have apple trees behind the homestead and they still fruit beautifully.” 

Although there was not yet much commercial production in the region, there were instances where even avocados were growing.

Micro-climates are important

Specific areas have better conditions, which will be more suitable than others.

Understanding that could be very important to securing contracts for higher value/higher margin crops. This autumn, PQF intends to do extension with farmers to help them do climate surveys on their farms. 

Clothier said interest was building in horticulture, with a number of different drivers.

“We know what future water quality standards might do to the ability to have intensive dairying close to rivers - whereas that high-class land, that LUC 1, 2 or 3, is likely to be the river flats close to a river. 

“You could, without destroying the dairy farm or the sheep and beef farm, put a 5ha orchard there. Then lo and behold, up and down the valley you might have a collection of 5 10, 20 blocks of 10ha to 25ha each, that would form an industry.”

Clothier adds that horticulture had a lower environmental impact.

“If we look at carbon, there’s no methane in horticulture so there’s going to be no big issue with the future carbon price. 

“And the nitrous oxide emissions are very low because you don’t put nitrogen on horticulture crops – otherwise they just grow leaves, and you can’t sell those.”

More like this

New apricots a sweet success

New apricot varieties especially bred to give the New Zealand industry a shot in the arm are looking “amazing” in their first full commercial season, says grower Sharon Kirk.

5 + 2 = Healthy!

With winter chills hitting, getting at least two servings of fruit each day is a great way to improve your health and wellbeing.

Winners and losers

The main beneficiaries of the EU FTA will be kiwifruit, onions, honey, wine and seafood.

Trading challenges for NZ hort

NZ's horticultural exports have risen in dollar terms, but at the same time, percentage wise, the tariffs these incur have dropped by nearly two thirds since 2004.

Featured

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as possible.

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Alliance's Pure South cuts win gold

Meat co-operative Alliance Group has bagged four gold medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, achieving top honours for every cut entered.

Dairy demand on the rise

There is increasing evidence that dairy demand is on the upswing, according to Rabobank senior agricultural analyst Emma Higgins.

Fert use tumbles as prices spike

Fertiliser use in New Zealand over the 18 months is about 25% down from what it consistently was for the previous decade or more, says Ravensdown chief operating officer Mike Whitty.

National

Machinery & Products

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

Claas rings up some big numbers

The Claas Group finished fiscal year 2023 with a substantial leap in sales that reflected the high demand for agricultural…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Too late?

OPINION: Your canine crusader reckons moves by the new government to try and breathe new life into the country's ailing…

Going rogue!

OPINION: This old mutt suggests the new government is going to have to move fast to rein in a number…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter