Regenerating soil carbon in soils used for intensive field cropping
In partnership with the Hawke’s Bay Future Farming Trust, LandWISE set out on a new journey, a six-year project to assess the economic and environmental impacts of adopting regenerative farming within a typical New Zealand cropping system, in particular studying the effects in degraded soils. One of a suite of MPI funded regenerative farming projects, ours is the only one focused on process cropping. The project was officially launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Damien O’Connor in February 2023.
Carbon Positive is made possible by huge support from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hawke’s Bay Future Farming Charitable Trust, Kraft-Heinz-Watties NZ, McCain Foods, BASF, Hawke’s Bay Vegetable Growers Group, LandWISE membership, Hills Laboratories and others.
With the support of McCain Foods and Heinz-Watties, we are growing a range of crops including beetroot, green beans, peas, sweetcorn and tomatoes. Cover crops will be an important feature, with a standard winter ryegrass and various single or multi-species cover crops.
Do we know the outcome?
No, that’s exactly why we are doing the research!
To run the trial, we have split the LandWISE MicroFarm into replicate plots, putting three different management systems against one another. We call the systems “conventional”, “regenerative” and “hybrid”. Each treatment has four replicates randomly allocated across the MicroFarm. This gives a sound basis for statistical analyses. Each plot is 12 m wide and 90 m long, designed to allow standard farm / contracting equipment to operate.
What is “regenerative cropping”?
There are many definitions or explanations of regenerative farming. Some say they are a bit woolly but that’s part of the point. Rather than strictly defining what can and cannot be done, regenerative cropping works to best meet a set of core principles focused on management to rebuild soil health.
What is “conventional practice”?
We are applying a management policy akin to that used by the majority of farmers for the last few decades. Based on best practice, we run nutrient budgets and apply fertiliser accordingly, we use best practice agrichemical management to control pests, weeds and diseases, and we apply a full cultivation regime.
What is the “hybrid” system?
Our hybrid system is a bit of the other two, cherry picking if you like. It might be a set of practices using minimal cultivation, keeping other chemical inputs at the low-normal end, and using a cover crop over winter.
Most importantly, each system will be actively managed. If something needs to be done, we’ll try to do it. We don’t intend being stuck in a rigid box when the soil, weather, crop or pest and disease situation can change so much. So, we have pragmatic farmers, contractors and industry providers advising our team.
Mātauranga Māori is woven throughout the project. We are pleased to have the support of our neighbouring marae advising us, and we look forward to sharing knowledge between us to enrich us all.
The project has a separate Project Steering Group, a Technical Advisory Group and a less formalised Operations Advisory Group helping the LandWISE team implement treatments and monitor results. See here for reports.
The Project Steering Group members are:
- Phillip Schofield – Chair (Hawke’s Bay Future Farming Trust)
- John Evans (LandWISE Chair)
- Pohatu Paku – Mātauranga Māori (Ruahapia Marae)
- Scott Lawson (HB Vegetable Growers Association)
- Bruce McKay (Heinz-Watties)
- Mike Flynn (McCain Foods)
- Ceris James – MPI Investment Advisor
The Technical Advisory Group core membership is:
- Dan Bloomer – TAG Leader
- Paul Mudge – soil carbon (Landcare Research)
- Gwen Grelet– regenerative systems (Landcare Research)
- Nicole Schon – worms and soil health (AgResearch)
- Kathleen Kozyniak – Air and Land Science (HBRC)
- Nick Roskruge – Mātauranga Māori
- Bruce Searle – crop agronomy (Plant & Food)
- Paul Smith – Carbon Farming consultant
- Gerald Rhys – MPI Science Manager
The Operations Advisory Group includes:
- Alex Dickson – OAG Leader
- Allan Machakaire (McCain Foods)
- Ben Prebble (McCain Foods)
- Lizzy Wicken (Kraft Heinz Watties)
- Phil Schofield – consultant
- Simon White – farmer
- Gareth Holder – farmer
- Mike Kettle – contractor
- Members of the PSG and TAG
- Others
- If you are interested, Please contact Alex.
