South Waikato Farmer Cuts Nitrogen With Soil Biology Trial
South Waikato farmer Bas Nelis is always interested in fine-tuning his business to improve results.
Established in 2022, the New Zealand section of the Fund is a collaboration between a2MC and Lincoln University supporting farm projects that demonstrate an integrated approach to a sustainable future and have a meaningful impact across the community and environment.
Applications were open to farmers supplying A1 protein free milk to Southland-based Mataura Valley Milk, which is 75% owned by a2MC or Synlait Milk, which is 205 owned by a2MC.
Applications for the current round of funding closed at the end of March and successful applicants were notified in mid-May. All applications to the Fund are evaluated by an independent Investment Committee, with each successful application able to receive funding of up to $35,000.
The independent Investment Committee is comprised of industry experts in regenerative agriculture, soil health, animal health and wellbeing and farming systems. Evaluation was based on criteria aligned to The a2 Milk Company’s sustainability objectives and key priority areas including:
- Lowering greenhouse gas emissions
- Increasing on-farm carbon sequestration
- Improving farm system resilience
- Improving water quality and efficiency
- Enhancing on-farm biodiversity
- Improving animal wellbeing/health
- Managing and improving soil health
The Fund received a record number of high-quality applications, reflecting strong interest from farmers across New Zealand. Grants in the current round have been made to projects including diverse riparian planting, alternative fertiliser use, diverse pasture implementation, wetland restoration and planting of trees to enhance biodiversity and provide shelter for animals.
Jaron McVicar, chief legal and sustainability officer at The a2 Milk Company says they are pleased that round three of the fund in New Zealand attracted so many applications from farmers to support their high impact projects.
“It is important to us that we continue to support dairy farmers in New Zealand through this initiative.”
Bevan and Jackie Jones, who farm in Southland and supply milk to Mataura Valley Milk have thanked the fund. “We can now fast-track initiatives that we’ve been wanting to progress for years.”
Their funded project involves planting native species and building a sediment trap to enhance water quality, promote biodiversity and sequester carbon; to provide shelter for the animals; and to create a picturesque landscape.
Eion Young, who also farms in South Otago, says they are pleased to receive a grant for an extension of a project that they received an award for in the previous round.
“Our project is a trial using alternatives to nitrogen fertiliser. We’ve engaged contractors to help implement and measure the changes to pasture and their impact on the farm business.
“We’re excited about the positive results from the first year and look forward to continuing the project to understand the long-term trends and how this could benefit our farm.”
Investment committee member John Reid says it’s an honour to be involved in a fund that can truly make an impact across dairy farming in New Zealand.
“The quality of applications and the deep interconnected nature of environmental function across a number of the projects serves as a testament to farmers and their long-term vision for enhancing the sustainability of their farms.”
Reid is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Canterbury’s Ngāi Tahu Research Centre.
