At LandWISE 2025 you’ll hear about regenerative cropping systems (however they be defined, or not), soil carbon and sequestration, and the use of cover crops in vegetable and arable systems. Add in the role of biology and ecology in pest and disease management, and some new systems and gadgets to monitor crop pests, soil nitrates and soil health, and the programme has much to offer!
Havelock North Function Centre
21 – 22 May 2025
We will update delegates on our Carbon Positive regenerative intensive process cropping project. Matthew Norris will describe the research completed and take-away knowledge from the Leaderbrand Regenerative Cropping project, with fascinating insights around the use of composts. And Angus Mckenzie will describe his own farming approach and that of others in Canterbury seeking to apply regenerative principles in day-to-day management. A common factor with all projects is the focus on lifting soil carbon levels, a topic that will be drilled into by Sam McNally.
Our Carbon Positive Operations Group has learnt some hard lessons with cover crops over the last three years, but we think we are now much better informed and positioned. We will present a list of questions! Also, with support from Te Ahikawariki/VICE, we’ve begun a small study of cover cropping with interviews of farmers who do and don’t use cover crops. We hope to have some preliminary findings by the conference. Charles (Merf) Merfield, one of the team interviewing will discuss cover cropping, an area he has researched and implemented for many years.
Drawing from “A Lighter Touch” research, Jeff Smith will discuss the use of bio-strips and insectaries to encourage beneficial insects to aid in pest management. Daniel Sutton will report on research using “Smart Traps” to automate collection of pest presence data. From Plant and Food Research, Asha Chhagan will talk about new technologies for pest and disease control and Bethan Shaw will discuss work reintroducing beneficial insects to orchards impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Rounding out New Tools, Olivia Webster will present LandWISE work using a new soil slaking measurement app and a device to more precisely determine soil nitrate levels when using Quick Test strips.
