Head start for NZ in sustainability drive

First up, what is agronomy?

Great question! Behind the word is a really broad definition encompassing many different aspects, but in simple terms agronomy considers how to grow crops effectively, profitably and while caring for our natural resources and environment.

What attracted you to it as a field of study?

I fell into agronomy during university days because it seemed a lot easier to earn money by driving combine and pea harvesters than shearing and farm labouring! From there I started to pay attention to the crops I was harvesting and how they are grown.

Do you think agronomy and farming systems are becoming more sustainable?

Yes. From a New Zealand perspective, with only a few exceptions, our farm systems are pasture-based (even our arable systems generally have a pasture/livestock component) and have always had the advantage of being based on sustainable practices.

Farmlands’ Head of Agronomy and Farm Systems, Sam Lucas, says our natural advantages put NZ farmers in pole position in the global race to greater agricultural sustainability.

I am really enjoying the current discussions and focus towards the environment, including carbon and regenerative agriculture, that have shaken the industry. It has challenged us to think about how we can be better and potentially do things differently. Generally New Zealand farmers have been and will continue to be excellent custodians of the land. The farming industry has also been quick to adopt new technologies and change when needed and the modern farming business of today is a far more complex and evolved business from only 10-20 years ago. I am excited to think how farming will continue to evolve to meet the new challenges and be better for it.

What do you think are the key components of a sustainable farming system?

Our understanding of sustainable continues to evolve as well. We now have a far broader focus of what sustainable means. Previously our focus was on efficiently producing product with consideration for the environment; we now consider the environment before we produce. It’s a subtle shift in words but a big shift in attitude. We firstly need to consider that sustainable farm systems need to be profitable – if they’re not profitable they aren’t sustainable. Coupled with that is preserving or improving our natural capital/resources, e.g. soil and water and also our people and wellbeing, something that has previously not been well recognised. The Maori philosophy of kaitiakitanga really resonates with me, I love the concept of people, land and environment all being connected.

You must have come across some inspirational stories of farm turnarounds?

I’m inspired all the time and love hearing the DairyNZ stories of farmer-led catchment groups and the good work being done. I have a special affinity with the high country and have been lucky to have had some long-term involvement with the Rakaia Gorge area in the Canterbury foothills, an amazing place of natural beauty. They all do a wonderful job and there are a number of inspiring farms doing fantastic things in terms of care for their environment and continually looking for improvement, particularly incorporating regenerative philosophies to their farm systems. Chris and Jo at Glenthorne Station and Paul and Prue Ensor at Glenaan Station are a couple that come to mind.

There are a number of inspiring farms doing fantastic things in terms of care for their environment and continually looking for improvement.”

What advice do you have for any farmers hesitant about taking the leap into greater sustainability?

It can be overwhelming for farmers at the moment with the talk of change and new challenges such as greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is important to put it into context and realise it is more a hop than a leap. Our farm systems are based on good historical sustainable practices and it’s important to recognise the good work farmers have done. A farm environmental plan (FEP) is an important document going forward. An FEP is an environmental risk management tool. It helps farmers and landowners recognise on-farm environmental risks, and then sets out a programme of action to manage those risks. Most of the content of an FEP is all the good practices that are done on the farm – we just need to verify it by putting it in a document. Incorporated in the FEP is having a measure of your nutrients used and lost. The new one is a measure of greenhouse gas emissions – all farms will have to provide this by the end of 2022. There are several ways you can do this. Beef + Lamb, DairyNZ, HortNZ, FAR, Fonterra, Synlait etc all have approved FEPs and tools to calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Overseer, although being reviewed, also can provide both nutrient and greenhouse gas gains/losses.

Are you hopeful for our farming future?

Absolutely. I am excited to think how farming will continue to evolve to meet the new challenges and be better for it. A natural product will always be competitive against the challenge of synthetic products and New Zealand is in the box seat to provide a free-range, environmentally and welfare-responsible product. However, I sympathise with the farming community as inherently farmers want to do the right thing and that is difficult at the moment as new legislation is forever changing and new regulations have been unpractical and costly. It’s a challenging time but I think the industry organisations are doing a good job lobbying Government and I am optimistic that policies will mature out.

What’s your favourite way to spend the day? What do you do for time out?

I love following my kids’ achievements, be it sporting or academic. But if it’s me, general fitness and outdoors. We’re blessed in Aotearoa with natural landscapes and fresh air so a run, bike, ski, surf, tramp or hunt is the best medicine for the soul. Catching up with good friends also.

Is there a book, author or speaker you have found particularly helpful in your life or career?

I enjoy a good book. Career-wise, I have recently read Nicole Masters’ For the love of soil and really enjoyed it. More generally, Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins is great, it definitely motivates me to go on that run or bike when I’m not quite feeling it.

If you could give people one piece of advice, what would it be?

I’m not sure I should be giving anyone advice but I often tell my kids to do what you enjoy and whatever you do, do it well.