By Dimi Kyriakou, RMCG

Soil Wealth ICP team members Dr Doris Blaesing and Sophia Thach led a group of Australian growers, agronomists, and industry partners on an insightful study tour of New Zealand’s horticultural practices.

Tour participants learned about NZ’s Lighter Touch agroecological program

Over five days, the group visited farms and trial sites, gaining firsthand insights into soil management, crop health innovations, and sustainable farming methods.

Joining the NZ Vegetable Summit on day one provided an excellent introduction to the country’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

In particular, New Zealand’s Lighter Touch program, which aims to shift from a heavy reliance on agrichemicals to adopting an agroecological approach, could provide a model for Australian growers. The project promotes crop protection that balances productivity with environmental sustainability, an approach increasingly relevant to managing Australia’s soil health challenges.

Field days throughout the North Island provided numerous opportunities to observe sustainable practices in action firsthand.

AS Wilcox and Sons, a family-owned business, showcased the advantages of a holistic farming approach, emphasising sustainable practices throughout their operations. A key focus was on integrated pest management (IPM), with border crops playing a vital role in natural pest control.

The farm also demonstrated its commitment to soil health by producing compost and compost pellets, while incorporating biological products to improve both soil and crop vitality. Their innovative use of techniques like ‘crop-stacking’ and the development of a soil health dashboard to track progress reflect a forward-thinking approach to farming. During a visit to their Bombay site, the group saw firsthand how they are trialling the combination of compost, biological products, and IPM strategies, including planting strips to attract beneficial insects, further enhancing ecosystem health.

From practice to research, a tour of Plant and Food Research, New Zealand’s government-owned Crown Research Institute that provides much of the research and scientific knowledge to the country’s horticultural, arable, seafood, and food and beverage industries, demonstrated the role and the value that research and development play in driving improvements in soil health.

The group returned to the field at LeaderBrand, a large family-owned and operated farming business established in 1975 and one of New Zealand’s most progressive horticultural businesses. LeaderBrand’s commitment to regenerative agriculture was inspiring, especially their efforts in rejuvenating wetlands and involving the local community in these initiatives. The company’s approach to sustainability goes beyond farming, incorporating environmental stewardship into their business model.

Day three took the group to an amazing fully integrated leafy green vertical farm, Greengrower. The entire process from seed to harvest packing takes place within the facility. Seeds are first grown in soil before being transplanted into a hydroponic system, all within a fully controlled environment. This innovative approach allows 1ha of leafy greens to be grown with the same yield as 5ha in the field, while using 95 percent less water. Additionally, the indoor system reduces the growing time to just 28 days, compared to 60 days in traditional field conditions.

New Zealand’s strong commitment to research and development in soil health and sustainable practices left a lasting impression on the tour participants.

“The level of research and development in soil health and sustainable practices was truly inspiring,” Sophia Thach said.

“The tour really highlighted the value of collaboration and the role of innovation in sustainable agriculture. We look forward to hosting a New Zealand contingent in Australia in 2025.”

The Greengrower team with study tour participants

FIND OUT MORE
Please contact project leaders
Dr Gordon Rogers: 02 8627 1040 / gordon@ahr.com.au and
Dr Anne-Maree Boland: 03 9882 2670 / anne-mareeb@rmcg.com.au