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: Nitrate
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: Butternut Planting
The butternuts for our 2025-2026 cropping season, in the Carbon Positive trial, have been planted! The Conventional treatment was planted with treated seed and 300kg/ha of Complex fertiliser. The Hybrid treatment was planted with treated seed, coated in TrichoStart and 300kg/ha of Complex fertiliser. Mycorrcin, Biostart N and TrichoStart were applied at planting via liquid…
Carbon Accounting in Carbon Positive
One way to track greenhouse gas emissions is through carbon accounting. Carbon accounting quantifies carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions. We have been tracking the relative emissions from each of the three different management systems applied in our Carbon Positive trial. There are three scopes within carbon accounting: Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope…
Farmer Friendly Nitrate Testing
Validation and Practical Implementation of the Nitrachek 404 Have you tried to match soil test strip colours against the colours on the tin, and found yourself wondering if you’re seeing the right shade of purple? Those days of guesswork can be over. The Nitrachek 404 is like having a portable lab right in your paddock….
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…
LandWISE Conference Summary – Day 2
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 2 had a strong focus on electrification options to increase profitability and reduce emissions. New Zealand is reaching a point where solar power is the cheapest energy available –…
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…