Landcare Research 'Discovery' Edition: Nitrogen Leaching, Waterways & more

Landcare Research 'Discovery' Edition: Nitrogen Leaching, Waterways & more

16 May 2016

Landcare Research's recent edition of 'Discovery' looks into some areas of Precision Agriculture that we thought could be of interest. Read on for more details.

In this issue:
Dr Bill Lee, an ecologist at Landcare Research, says a national riparian plan would have “major benefits” for our waterways.


It’s hard for farmers to turn a profit at the best of times, let alone while reducing their nitrogen footprint. But a study by Landcare Research has found farmers can achieve both.

Ragwort’s distinctive bright yellow flowers used to be a familiar sight across New Zealand farmland. But thanks to a tiny flea beetle the weed, which is particularly toxic to cattle and horses, is now largely under control saving farmers millions in control costs.

 With dairy farmers well on the way to ensuring stock are excluded from waterways by the government’s deadline of July next year, attention is turning to the industry’s next efforts to improve water quality – riparian planting. Industry body, DairyNZ, and Landcare Research have created a web-based tool to make this next step easier for farmers.

 There are more than 2000 species of moth in New Zealand but little is known about these important insects. Students from schools across Otago are helping researchers change that.

For more information and to read the full edition of Land Research 'Discovery',.