increase font size
The Extension 350 project aims to lift profitability, environmental sustainability and wellbeing on Northland farms.
A Northland farmer-led extension programme which will eventually involve 245 dairy farmers across Northland has won a national award for economic development.
Extension 350 this month won an Economic Development NZ (EDNZ) Award for Sustainable Development. The awards celebrate best practice in economic development activity throughout New Zealand.
The Extension 350 project aims to lift profitability, environmental sustainability and wellbeing on Northland farms.
Project leader Luke Beehre says the sustainability development award acknowledges the farmers involved in the project, “and in particular the target farmers who have opened their farm businesses up for scrutiny”.
The project, with seven dairy ‘clusters’ and three sheep and beef clusters, started in November 2016, and over five years will involve 350 farmers including 245 dairy farmers.
Beehre says the concept involves mentor farmers and farm consultants working with target farmers to improve their farm business. The target farmers then share what they have learned with associate farmers.
“We’re seeing great results in the three key areas of profitability, environmental sustainability and wellbeing on the individual farms and we are now starting to see that this project has the potential to transform Northland’s agricultural sector,” says Beehre.
EDNZ chief executive Susan Houston says the Economic Development NZ's Awards committee considered the Extension 350 project to be a best practice example of sustainable development.
“Extension 350 is a smart and savvy use of land that will have beneficial economic and environmental ramifications for present and future Northlanders,” she says.
“Extension 350 could just as easily have been considered for the Innovation Award since it is breaking new ground, not just for Northland but also for New Zealand.”
Extension 350 is supported by Northland Inc and funded by DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, Northland Regional Council and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). E350 is a project within the Northland Tai Tokerau Economic Action Plan.
OPINION: Eight point two billion people on the planet. Ten point three billion exported by 2084 (according to the latest United Nations' projections). And it is our role as farmers and growers in the food system to feed them. We need to do this as sustainably as possible, but the primary goal must be food production.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
Sustainability is no longer a "nice to have", says Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Programme Manager Meagan Littlejohn.
The waste-free Ripe Wanaka Wine and Food Festival won Sustainability Event of the Year at the New Zealand Events Association Awards this year, while Festival Director Nathan White was named Emerging Event Professional of the Year.
A Taupo company says it's the first to bring CO₂-powered water heating technology to New Zealand dairy sheds, helping farmers cut energy costs by up to 85%.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.
A Mid Canterbury beef farm has unlocked a new market for its products thanks to its unusual beef breed, and an award-winning pie taking the district by storm.
The number of beef straws going into dairy cows is on the increase, according to LIC beef genetics product lead Paul Charteris.
OPINION: Farmers along the east coast of both islands are being urged to start planning for drought as recent nor'west winds have left soil moisture levels depleted.
European growers are playing a key role in ensuring Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has year-round supply of high-quality fruit for consumers.
ANZ's chief executive Antonia Watson says agriculture has proven to be “a shining light” for New Zealand’s economy.
