increase font size
A new white paper suggests more research needs to be performed around regenerative agriculture.
With some farmers transitioning to regenerative agriculture in New Zealand, there is an urgent need for clarity about what regenerative agriculture is in New Zealand and for scientific testing of its claimed benefits, says Landcare Research.
A new white paper, entitled Regenerative Agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand – Research Pathways to Build Science-Based Evidence and National Narratives, sets out 17 priority research topics and introduces 11 principles for regenerative farming in New Zealand.
Lead author Dr Gwen Grelet, senior researcher at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, says that although evidence is urgently required, regenerative agriculture potentially has an important role to play in New Zealand.
“Regenerative agriculture has huge momentum internationally in all parts of the food system. It is not a magic bullet but its grass-roots popularity with farmers and food consumers mean it has huge potential for driving the transformation of Aotearoa’s agri-food system to move our country closer to its goals.
Grelet says consultation found many areas of strong agreement between advocates and sceptics.
“It’s time to stop bickering and focus on identifying any true benefits regenerative agriculture might have for New Zealand,” she says.
The white paper is the result of collaboration and consultation with more than 200 people from June to November 2020.
Collaborators include farmers and growers, researchers, primary industry bodies, banks, retailers, non-governmental organisations, government departments, large corporates, consultants, marketers, overseas researchers and educators.
The project was funded by the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, the NEXT Foundation and Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research.
Some interesting and positive insights into the value of regenerative agricultural practices seem to be emerging from the early stages of a seven year science-based study comparing conventional farming and regen agriculture. Peter Burke reports...
OPINION: A colleague of this old mutt’s was less than impressed by the antics of a regenerative dairy farming couple’s attempts to manipulate the coverage of their farming operation.
What is expected to be the country's largest and most comprehensive regenerative agriculture trial is gearing up to take place in North Canterbury over the next seven years. Nigel Malthus reports...
Getting some quality science behind the philosophy of regenerative agriculture is critical, according to DairyNZ's strategy and investment leader Bruce Thorrold.
A key focus of a new $26.1 million study into the sustainability of our farming sector will be to try and define that regenerative agriculture might look like in a NZ context. Peter Burke reports...
Whole milk powder prices on Global Dairy Trade (GDT) remains above long run averages and a $10/kgMS milk price for the season remains on the card, says ASB senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown.
North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson is not afraid to break the mould when it comes to finding farming systems that work for him.
Former Fonterra director Marise James says the future of the dairy industry depends upon the direction of travel with respect to climate change.
Marise James describes her 38-year career as a rural and farmer advisor as one that has ridden the waves of many changes.
Farmers are calling for Kiwi banks and their overseas parent companies need to follow the lead of America's six biggest banks and urgently withdraw from the Net Zero Banking Alliance.
Dairy farmers are faring well despite data showing above average temperatures for most of the country.
OPINION: The end-of-year booze-up at the posh Northern Club in Auckland must have been a beauty, as the legal 'elite'…
OPINION: It divides opinion, but the House has passed the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill.
