Research

NIWA research is under way in the Wairarapa to differentiate how much methane in the atmosphere comes from farm animals vs local wetlands. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Often overlooked and misunderstood, 90% of New Zealand’s original peatlands have been drained, degraded, or destroyed, leaving these carbon-rich landscapes in crisis. Jenna Smith, a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, presents how restoring peatlands that cover 1% of the country’s land area store an estimated 20% of carbon and could be our most strategic ecosystem.

New Zealand’s economy has long been anchored by two key pillars: agriculture and tourism. However, as the world changes, Carlos Bagrie, a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, explores how both sectors are facing natural limits to their growth. ​

Will the country rise to the challenge of blending tradition with innovation, or will it be left behind as the rest of the world marches ahead? 2024 Nuffield Scholar Rachel Baker’s report Navigating adoption of gene editing in the New Zealand primary sector explores her thoughts on managing the complexities of gene-editing adoption – both scientifically and socially – over the coming years.

How do we find alternative solutions to farm ownership and succession while encouraging the next generation of farmers? Southland farmer and 2024 Nuffield Scholar Peter Templeton’s report Putting the success back into succession highlights it is not enough for farmers to hope that the next generation will simply take the reins. Words Peter Templeton.

Harnessing the power of the sun offers the chance for drystock farmers to diversify their operations. Federated Farmers Senior Policy Advisor Jesse Brennan’s 2024 Kellogg Report Cultivating the sun – challenges and opportunities of solar farming for drystock farm diversification explores the opportunity.

As the world faces mounting challenges such as food security, climate change, and environmental degradation, the New Zealand Government is reconsidering its stance on genetic technologies. Farmlands Category Manager Lisa Lunn’s 2024 Kellogg Report Understanding a future with genetic technologies in New Zealand agriculture delves into the issue.

New Zealand farmers face significant challenges reconciling environmental regulations with economic realities. Kerry Worsnop’s 2023 Nuffield report The mountain we need to climb – designing agricultural policy for a future in farming addresses those in leadership, agricultural policy makers and others with an interest in how we deliver better outcomes for those on the land and for the land itself.

When used in combination with ultrasound scanning CT scanning can almost double the rate of genetic progress in intramuscular fat compared to using ultrasound alone. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp Photos Dr. Neville Jopson.

Over 1.8 million non-replacement calves are produced annually and processed at 4-7 days old in New Zealand. Matt Iremonger’s 2023 Nuffield report looks at the opportunity for beef on dairy to shift the value chain from dysfunctional to functional.