There is no unified, single definition of what ‘regenerative agriculture’ is globally. A new report argues New Zealand should step up and craft that definition – and seize the market premiums that could go with it. New York-based Alpha Food Labs spearheaded a global research project on consumers’ attitudes to regenerative agriculture on behalf of […]
Biodiversity
Feds whistle up support for the whio
Federated Farmers is once again championing the whio (blue duck) to take the Bird of the Year title. New Zealanders sticking to their home bubble under COVID alert levels should feel some affinity for this plucky and endangered native duck because they also live rather isolated lives in the less modified catchments of the Urerewa, […]
Tairāwhiti region’s ‘death by a thousand cuts’
The Tairāwhiti region’s economy and job prospects will be hammered if the rate of carbon-only forest conversions continue unabated and unregulated, Federated Farmers Gisborne-Wairoa President Toby Williams says. “That’s the grim outlook confirmed by the final report by accountancy and financial advisory firm BDO. “My concern is that when our authorities and residents – and […]
Who’s that bird?
We all know that farmers and rural people are great conservationists, and we understand and encourage birdlife on farm, but historically this has been an anecdotal record-keeping system. We recently caught up with the team from ebird which is co-ordinating the New Zealand Bird Atlas project. This is a Citizen Science project run by Birds […]
Trees your friend, not your competition, farmers told
by Simon Edwards Trees versus food production arguments are misleading and detract from opportunities to improve the sustainability and profitability of the wider farming sector, Forest Owners Association President Phil Taylor told the Primary Industries Summit last month. “Trees, in various places, for various reasons, at various times, are going to complement and protect farming […]
Tapping farmer knowledge, effort a key to Te Manahuna Aoraki pest control
By Simon Edwards Two or three hares can eat as much as a sheep in alpine grassland. They’ll also damage saplings and shrubs. As part of his research, Otago PhD student Nick Foster needed help to put GPS collars on hares in the nationally significant biodiversity area looked after by Te Manahuna Aoraki. Lilybank Station […]
Twelve wilding pines projects to share $2 million
Twelve community projects across New Zealand will receive a share of $2 million to carry out wilding pine control, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor announced as part of Biosecurity Week. “Wilding pines are a serious problem that threaten many of the unique landscapes that New Zealanders value. Community groups and trusts on the ground can play […]
Research key to improving water quality in Ararira catchment
Know your catchment before you take action to improve water quality. That’s one of the key findings from a two-year research collaboration between Living Water (a partnership of Fonterra and the Department of Conservation) and the University of Canterbury’s Carex group (Canterbury Waterway Rehabilitation Experiment). They were working together on the Ararira / LII River […]
Sustainability vision – it’s not just about protecting the environment
The word ‘sustainability’ seems to crop up in just about every second article on agriculture, usually referencing the environment. But as Federated Farmers Vice-President Karen Williams said at the Waikato Federated Farmer’s AGM, true sustainability must also encompass social and economic wellbeing. Karen enthusiastically described a future Ag-sector where happy farmers get out of bed […]
SNA laws bad for everyone
By Don Carson, Forest Owners Association Communications Manager OPINION: The events of 15 and 16 July could not have been more different. On Friday 15th rural communities throughout New Zealand stood up in protest against the regulatory burdens the government is imposing. The day after the Friday protest, the heavens opened up over central New […]