We established two new biodiversity strips on the MicroFarm in 2025, in addition to the two from 2024. One of the new strips, which is located under the irrigator wire, includes alyssum, calendula, and native ground covers. The other strip which is along a fenceline has the A Lighter Touch annual flower strip mix, which includes alyssum,…
Category: Cover crops
Nitrate Levels on the MicroFarm
Throughout the Carbon Positive Trial, Soil Nitrate levels down to 30cm have been monitored fortnightly. During the tomato crop (26/10/2023 – 6/3/2024), the Regenerative treatment had significantly lower nitrate levels than the Conventional and Hybrid treatments, despite all three receiving similar amounts of nitrogen. This lower nitrate level was likely due to the breakdown…
Carbon Positive: Preparation for butternuts
In the 2025-2026 cropping season, the fourth summer of the Carbon Positive trial, we are growing butternut pumpkins for Heinz-Wattie’s. Our planned planting date of the 15th of November is fast approaching. The conventional treatment was broadcast sprayed with glyphosate in mid-October and cultivated in early November. It was disced, then aerated, rotary hoed and…
Looking Ahead: Butternut squash
In the 2025-2026 cropping season, the fourth summer of the Carbon Positive trial, we are growing butternut pumpkins for Heinz-Wattie’s. Our planned planting date is the middle of November. In the Conventional system, things are getting underway with a broadcast spray of glyphosate now that the sheep have been moved out. The paddock will be…
Carbon Positive Soil Monitoring
All Systems Stable: Early Insights from a Crop-Driven Carbon Cycle Carbon Positive is, unsurprisingly, tracking soil carbon levels under our three different management approaches. We have two key measurements; total soil carbon and hot water extractable carbon. Hot water extractable carbon is a laboratory test measure of labile carbon, which is the ‘active’ carbon that…
Winter cover crop update – September
After a successful bean crop in the 2024-2025 season, the three systems were planted in cover crops for the winter. The Conventional was planted with ryegrass, the Hybrid with ryegrass, Balansa clover and crimson clover, and the Regenerative was the same as the Hybrid but with the addition of vetch. The Canopeo phone app has…
Cover Crops Survey
With funding from Te Ahikawariki, we teamed up with regional agronomists to ask a number of growers about cover cropping. We wanted to learn what the barriers were to new entrants, and what the ongoing headaches were for those who do use cover crops. Three-quarters of the 32 growers surveyed have been using cover crops…
Carbon Positive: Winter Cover Crops
The cover crops were direct drilled by Kettle Contracting on the 7th of April. The Conventional treatment was planted with Moata annual ryegrass. The Hybrid treatment also has Moata with crimson and Balansa clover added. The Regenerative treatment has the same cover crop mix as the Hybrid treatment with the addition of vetch. As in…
LandWISE Conference Summary – Day 1
The LandWISE Conference, Getting to Carbon Positive, attracted more than 80 people who heard speakers on a wide range of topics related to ongoing sustainability. Day 1 discussed ways to assess our emissions levels, how we can reduce our environmental impact through diverse farming techniques including regenerative practices and soil health, and new research around…
Events of Interest
LandWISE Events Carbon Positive Field Walks We hold regular open field walks for our community to visit the Carbon Positive research plots, hear updates and contribute to future plans. Our email LandWISE Updates give details – sign up to receive notifications. LandWISE Events Archive Others’ Events Merfield Agronomy Physical and Ecological Weed Management Workshop Tuesday…