Stories and articles
Sound accessible information is critical to the changes hill country farmers need to make
George is the fifth generation of his family to farm the 2250 Ha Totangi Farms - 2000 Ha effective - at Ngātapa. He sees the availability of sound accessible information such as that being produced through the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme as critical to the changes hill country farmers need to make to ensure the sector is sustainable into the future.
Passion is really the biggest resource we have in terms of the long-term future of the industry
Rita Batley from Moawhango in the Rangitikei district had been involved with several research programmes but says being part of the steering committee for the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme was a very different experience.
Supporting initiatives to help point farmers in the right direction
Hill country farmers Ted and Becca Jefferd are keen to support initiatives to help point farmers in the right direction. The couple, who farm sheep and beef on 570 hectares north-west of Gisborne, are part of a farmer focus group which provided input into the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme.
knowledge is key
Tararua farmer Dean Wardle sees “knowledge as key” for hill country farming to flourish into the future.
Gaining input from farmers
Gaining input from farmers was critical to the development of the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme - and Gisborne farmers Henry and Sofie Gaddum were glad to be able to help.
Holistic focus on supporting hill country farmers
Matt and wife Megan farm 420 hectares at Ngatapa and were part of a farmer focus group which provided insights that helped shape the development of a farmer wellbeing assessment tool, known as FarmSalus.
Good opportunity to express shared problems and concerns
Insights gained from farmers involved in these focus groups has helped shape the development of a farmer wellbeing assessment tool, known as FarmSalus.
Best pastures for lifting performance
“These hill blocks that previously produced 4-5000 kg of poor quality feed are now providing over 16000 kg dry matter of exceptional quality"
Paparata Station
“It is important to us to be sustainable. I’m a third-generation farmer and in my book you have to be sustainable for the next generation in the hills – and we need to tell that story"
Programme looks to gather data to future-proof a traditional Kiwi way of life
“science like I’ve never seen it before in agriculture – a real focus on the glue that makes up agriculture – our people”.
Pasture trial results ‘Interesting’
“Taking part in trials for the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme has already been really valuable for us"
Keeping the hills alive
A thriving hill country farming sector is critical to New Zealand’s economy and to our regional communities.
Native shrubs in the hill country
“It is very costly to plant native plants in hill country – so farmers need robust scientific evidence to inform their decisions around planting.”
Legumes under the spotlight for Hill Country Futures Programme
Legumes are the powerhouse of pastoral farming systems, and with the correct management, have the potential to transform farm businesses while protecting fragile hill country landscapes.
Pasture planning tools available soon
Innovative tools to support farmers and farm consultants in pasture planning are expected to become available this year as part of the Hill Country Futures Programme.
Capturing the power of legumes
Legumes are the powerhouse of pastoral farming systems, and with the correct management, have the potential to transform farm businesses while protecting fragile hill country landscapes.
Mapping hill country
“Ultimately, it is hoped the project will support farmers to monitor soil temperature and moisture, to make more effective decisions, leading to improved economic, environmental and social outcomes,”
Multiple benefits of native planting on farms
Multiple potential benefits from planting native shrubs for use as sheep fodder are being researched as part of the Hill Country Futures Programme.
Using science to identify forage value
A scientific method already used widely across medicine and forensic science could provide a fast and cost effective way for New Zealand farmers to identify the nutritional value of native forage and exotic forage.
Addressing the issue of over grazing pasture
‘Over-grazing’ is a problem for farmers, but “rescuing” pasture through deferred grazing isn’t the answer, according to research for the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme.
Producing outcomes for farmers
“I’m very excited about the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme because it is fully directed at producing outcomes for farmers”
Decades of weather data could support better farm planning
Twenty five years of weather data from a central Otago farm is being analysed to see if it could help farmers plan better around temperature and moisture variations across different altitudes and aspects.
Network of study sites unearthing valuable information for hill country farmers
The 18 study sites, ranging from Lake Hawea in Central Otago to Waiakaia near Gisborne, were established through the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme.
Research programme identifying best areas for growing lucerne
Research undertaken through the Hill Country Futures Partnership programme has led to the development of national suitability maps showing where lucerne crops can be grown.
New national AgYields forage database launched
A new national forage database has been launched to help farmers and rural professionals make informed decisions around pasture planning.
Love for the land and livestock
Jenni Vernon’s love for the land and for livestock was forged as a small child, helping her grandfather feed out mangels on farm.