Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research is leading a new research proposal called Regenerative Agriculture, and is looking for a variety of growers and farmers to participate.
The research proposal is seeking government funding to bring together cutting edge science and innovative farming practices that will deliver:
- Greater profit for farmers and growers
- Superior quality food and fibre
- Reduced environmental impact
- Resilience for farms, businesses, and families
- Capability planning for extreme weather events
If you are a farmer or grower interested in being a part of this project, register your details here: https://goo.gl/forms/EPnTIgUfnNVA906o1
This research project will measure a large host of on-farm indicators of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. For the full list see: https://www.facebook.com/WhereToForNZagriculture
Environmental sustainability measurements will comprise soil and biodiversity values. Soils will be assessed by measures of: soil structural qualities, soil function, and soil toxicity. Biodiversity will be assessed by: earthworm counts, bird, insect, and aboveground plant species richness, abundance of root symbiotic fungi and much more…
Economic sustainability will be assessed through the farm profit metrics of plant DM per ha, and $ revenue/DM less input cost.
Production quality will be monitored in forages and crops through dry matter, total fat and protein content, vitamin C and E concentration, available carbohydrates, as well as heavy metal content. Aspects of food safety will also be included such as pesticide and herbicide residuals in forages and crops. Animal welfare measurements will be included in pastoral systems, via physiological oxidative stress of grazing animals.
Finally, wellbeing (a contributor to social sustainability) will be assessed via a multiple choice questionnaire for farmers to complete. For the full list of measurements to be included in this study, please go to: https://www.facebook.com/WhereToForNZagriculture/photos/rpp.419655358790231/419661105456323/?type=3&theater
These measurements will be free, and available to the farmer or grower as they are collected.
For organisations, businesses, scientists, or other non-farming individuals wanting to participate in the Regenerative Agriculture project, register your interest here: https://goo.gl/forms/2leCr8nbrrDbTESl2
For more information, please contact Gwen Grelet at GreletG@LandcareResearch.co.nz
