Wilding conifers threaten landscape values, biodiversity and land-use options in the high country. It is estimated they affect about 800 000 hectares of the South Island and about 300 000 hectares of the North Island. In June 2012, the Wilding Conifer Management Group agreed a set of priorities for wilding control, and in 2013 initiated a project that is being co-funded by the SFF to progress this.

This project set out to describe best practice in free-range pork production. Six free-range New Zealand pig farms were visited and good practices documented. The following key aspects were covered: environment (soil type, rainfall, topography; housing, nutrition, feeding, stocking rates, health, husbandry, resource consent requirements, and management (of soil cover and waste run-off).

This fact sheet details a project that documented and disseminated successful organic management practices. Its aim was to lift productivity across the organic dairy sector and stimulate a higher level of certified organic dairy production.

This fact sheet details two projects in the Rotorua Lakes area, where the community expressed a desire to improve the quality of the water. The farmers decided to be proactive and find out what impact their activities were having on the lake and what they could do to minimise this. The first project showed linkages between nitrogen applied on farms and that leached into the lake water. The second project focused on phosphorus and how it affected water quality.

This fact sheet details an SFF project aimed at gathering information about the performance of pastures comprising a range of pasture species, including tall fescue, timothy, cocksfoot, herbs such as plantain and chicory, and legumes such as red clover, subclover and lucerne. A survey of pastures on commercial farms and at DairyNZ’s Hamilton campus were done and the responses of a range of pastures to invasion of weed grasses, yellow bristle grass and summer grass, were examined.

The Sustainable Farming Fund is investing in a project that aims to support around 720 farmers along the first 100km of the Waikato River to assess their farming systems and identify best practice in the new context of the agreement between Maori and the Crown for co-management of the Waikato River. A particular focus for this new regime is improving water quality, initially by slowing the rate of decline and ultimately enhancing water quality.

This fact sheet details a project that looks at the ability of soil to sequester carbon providing numerous production benefits and natural advantages to growers. By adapting orchard management practices to maximise and enhance soil organic carbon (SOC), kiwifruit growers can contribute to the long-term sustainability of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry.

This fact sheet details the Sustainable Farming Fund's aim to improve the resilience of primary sector businesses and their communities through grass roots action. It provides vital funding to help innovation, research and environmental projects balanced across the primary sectors, regions of New Zealand and types of activities.

This fact sheet details MPI's investment in this project to explore lowering the impact of landfill wastes on the environment through promoting use of municipal compost by farmers, and particularly to provide scientific data relevant to farmers across a range of agricultural sectors. The research focused on utilising compost as a soil conditioner and slow-release fertiliser.

A fact sheet detailing the Sustainable Farming Fund's investment in a project that seeks to gain registration of newer, more selective types of chemicals that will fit into integrated pest management programmes and will be suitable for helping grow export-quality minor crops into the future.

Information for Food Businesses

This fact sheet details the Gum Leaf Skeletoniser (uraba lugens) that defoliates eucalypt trees and poses a public health risk. Reducing the spread of eucalypt bark and leaf material, particularly during October/November and February/March, will help limit the spread of this pest.

This fact sheet details the Giant African snail (Achatina fulica) which is a tropical snail not currently established in New Zealand. The main biosecurity risk lies in the introduction of the snail to New Zealand attached to plant material, crates, containers, machinery or motor vehicles.

A fact sheet detailing the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) which is an agricultural pest found in Asia and more recently the US. The most likely method of entry into New Zealand is sea containers.

A fact sheet detailing the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) which are considered the most invasive ant species worldwide because of their harmful effects on people, infrastructure, agriculture, flora and fauna, and recreational activities.

A fact sheet answering questions about horse meat and labelling of food within New Zealand.