Planting The butternuts in the Carbon Positive trial were planted on the 15th of November. Before the butternuts emerged, there was a high weed pressure in the conventional treatment. Therefore, it was sprayed with Buster, while the other two treatments were not. Emergence When the butternuts started to emerge, we noticed there was cutworm damage…
Category: Fresh Vegetables
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…
Cyclone Gabrielle Research Symposium
Lessons for the management of highly productive land In November, we co-hosted a research symposium with Vegetable Research and Innovation and the Foundation for Arable Research. The symposium brought together those who had investigated Cyclone Gabrielle’s impacts on highly productive land to present and discuss findings and observations, and draw out lessons to aid land…
Slakes: Soil aggregate stability testing
A Te Ahikawariki / VICE Project SLAKES: a cost effective measure of soil structural stability is one of two projects I have been running as a part of my Te Ahikawariki/VICE internship. A key part of the project was engaging with growers to demonstrate and support valid paddock sampling and correct use of the test…
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…
LandWISE Conference 2025
Getting to Carbon Positive Wednesday 21 – Thursday 22 May Havelock North Function Centre In 2025 we’re delighted to bring you a conference with focuses on regenerative crop production, carbon footprinting, and electrification. We’ll have new technologies to think about and see, we have speakers with proven track records, and we’re looking forward to catching…
Regenerative Cropping and Biological Factors
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…
Cyclone Gabrielle Project Updates
Since Cyclone Gabrielle hit in February 2023, LandWISE has been capturing data from impacted sites. Our aim has been to increase knowledge of flood and sediment deposition on highly productive land (HPL), particularly the Land Use Capability (LUC) Class 1 – 3 land that dominates the Heretaunga Plains. The initial project captured data from 110…
Bye & ka kite for now!
After a fun couple of years, I am leaving LandWISE. My partner Mitchell and I are taking a big leap and moving to the Netherlands to start the next chapter of our lives and careers. I spent a year studying in the Netherlands in 2016 and I am very excited to be heading back! I…
Vegetables Big Day Out
Going to the Vegetables Big Day Out in Pukekohe was an amazing opportunity for me to meet people and to learn more about the research and innovation taking place in the vegetable industry. Being able to see the biodiversity strips, native plant pods (insectaries), and cover crops that are a part of “A Lighter Touch”,…