A major research effort aimed at cutting nitrogen (N) losses without losing sight of farm viability is putting practical system change under the microscope.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Dr Racheal Bryant, Associate Professor at Lincoln University, about the Low-N Farmlet Trial that’s found stacking a number of N mitigations together on-farm can cut N losses by up to 50%. The multi-year study is part of the DairyNZ-led Low-N Systems research programme with studies involving the Bioeconomy Sciences Institute (formerly AgResearch), Fonterra, AbacusBio and CRV with funding also coming from the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Dr Bryant explains how modelling and onfarm measurement have been used to test combinations of lower nitrogen fertiliser rates, diverse pastures, genetics and all-grass wintering systems, revealing where significant reductions in nitrate leaching are achievable, the trade-offs with profitability (a 7% reduction in some cases), and how farmers can assess which mitigations may work best in their own systems.

 

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:
Dr Racheal Bryant, Associate Professor, Lincoln University

 

Dr Bryant steps through how the research has played out on the ground at Lincoln University’s Research Dairy Farm, comparing modelled outcomes with real-world measurements across multiple seasons. She discusses reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, farmer involvement in shaping the work, and what the findings mean for farmers as they weigh environmental targets against production, costs, profitability and long-term system resilience.

 

DairyNZ Low N farm systems overview: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/research/science-projects/low-n-systems/

DairyNZ link to the live farmlet data: https://connect.dairynz.co.nz/Low-N/LowN_Farmlet_Summary.html

Dairy futures Living Lab: https://livinglab.codecrew.nz/

A major research effort aimed at cutting nitrogen (N) losses without losing sight of farm viability is putting practical system change under the microscope.
In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Dr Racheal Bryant, Associate Professor at Lincoln University, about the Low-N Farmlet Trial that&rsquo;s found stacking a number of N mitigations together on-farm can cut N losses by up to 50%. The multi-year study is part of the DairyNZ-led Low-N Systems research programme with studies involving the Bioeconomy Sciences Institute (formerly AgResearch), Fonterra, AbacusBio and CRV with funding also coming from the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Dr Bryant explains how modelling and onfarm measurement have been used to test combinations of lower nitrogen fertiliser rates, diverse pastures, genetics and all-grass wintering systems, revealing where significant reductions in nitrate leaching are achievable, the trade-offs with profitability (a 7% reduction in some cases), and how farmers can assess which mitigations may work best in their own systems.
&nbsp;
Host:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country</li>
</ul>
Guest:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Dr Racheal Bryant, Associate Professor, Lincoln University</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Dr Bryant steps through how the research has played out on the ground at Lincoln University&rsquo;s Research Dairy Farm, comparing modelled outcomes with real-world measurements across multiple seasons. She discusses reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, farmer involvement in shaping the work, and what the findings mean for farmers as they weigh environmental targets against production, costs, profitability and long-term system resilience.
&nbsp;
DairyNZ Low N farm systems overview: <a href="https://www.dairynz.co.nz/research/science-projects/low-n-systems/">https://www.dairynz.co.nz/research/science-projects/low-n-systems/</a>
DairyNZ link to the live farmlet data: <a href="https://connect.dairynz.co.nz/Low-N/LowN_Farmlet_Summary.html">https://connect.dairynz.co.nz/Low-N/LowN_Farmlet_Summary.html</a>
Dairy futures Living Lab: <a href="https://livinglab.codecrew.nz/">https://livinglab.codecrew.nz/</a>

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.