Article by Gemma Carroll, PNZ Communications & Extension Officer, based on a report prepared by Waka Paul, Social Scientist, Plant and Food Research Institute. Understanding growers and agronomists needs and goals in nutrient management, is a key focus of the Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) programme in order to develop deeper understanding and to enable improvements…
Understanding management and environmental implications of nitrogen use in vegetable crop production. by PFR scientists Bruce Searle, Trish Fraser, & Jo Sharp. Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient for the successful production of crops, and each year growers invest significantly in applying N fertilisers. However, not all the applied N is used by the crop…
The Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) program has made great progress with trials and data forming the foundation for interesting conversations around the support that growers need for improved financial and environmental performance alongside compliance reporting. The highlight from this quarter is that the prototype farmer tool has been developed (see Workstream 3). Workstream 1 – The Plant & Food…
By Henry Stenning and Andrew Barber Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) – progress The Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) programme continues apace, with all four workstreams making significant progress, despite the extra obstacles created by Covid-19 lockdowns. Workstream 1 – the intensive sampling programme – at Plant & Food Research’s (PFR) Hawke’s Bay and Lincoln research stations…
Edited extracts from the SVS Grower Baseline Report. The full report can be read here https://potatoesnz.co.nz/rd-project/emissions-project/ The Sustainable Vegetable System (SVS) project contracted social research provider FOLKL to ensure grower opinions and needs are central to the outcomes of the programme. Here we outline the insights from this baseline survey. The 3 goals of the…
Understanding soil nitrogen Soils in New Zealand typically contain between 5000 and 9000 kg of total nitrogen (N) per hectare in the top 30 cm. Most (97-99 %) of the total soil N exists as a component of soil organic matter called the organic nitrogen fraction(included as part of Total N in Figure 1), which includes…
Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) monthly update: improving the modelling via Workstream 3 and extension activities in Workstream 4. Sustainable Vegetable Systems is a four-year, $7.5 million project, focused on reducing the environmental impact of intensive growing of potatoes, onions, brassicas and leafy greens. It involves research work to quantify and model nitrogen leaching and engages…
For PNZ NZ Grower: June 2021 Issue. Sustainable Vegetable Systems Program progressing despite a year of pandemic disruption. Problem Recognition The government has identified NZ Freshwater as needing better management and stewardship. One of the contributors to freshwater quality issues is nitrate leaching. Vegetable Production & Opportunity Nitrogen is a crucially important component for all…
By Gemma Carroll, PNZ Communications & Engagement Officer. Featured image Chris Pescini’s potato field, Levin. In February 2020, the Potatoes NZ board adopted a new strategic objective of zero net emissions by 2050. This is now one of 3 central objectives including doubling export value by 2025 and increasing domestic value by 50% by 2025….
By Gemma Carroll, Communications & Engagement Officer for Potatoes New Zealand On Friday the 13th September a room of bright minds met to workshop the Potatoes NZ Emissions Project and Taskforce. 20 experts comprised of growers, agronomists, researchers, advisors and the PNZ team drilled down into what the new regional council plans will mean to…
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