Future farm systems

Farm systems are continually evolving to meet changing priorities. Future farm systems may look very different to those of today due to the increased emphasis on environmental outcomes. What will low-emissions primary production look like in New Zealand and what research might be required to support that?

Research priorities

Since 2010, the NZAGRC has maintained an Integrated Solutions programme (previously called ‘Integrated Farm Systems’). Research was focused on demonstrating profitable, practical and low-greenhouse gas emitting sheep, beef and dairy farm systems, including:

Farmer standing in paddock with dogs

New Zealand sheep and beef farmer

  • Gathering data and modelling practice-change scenarios to better understand the drivers of greenhouse gas emissions on dairy and sheep and beef farms, and the system-wide impacts of potential mitigations.
  • Developing a behavioural change extension programme for dairy farmers in partnership with DairyNZ.

Increasingly, this type of work is now led by industry, leaving room for the NZAGRC to pivot towards more future-focused research.

A new research programme began in 2022, focused on two core areas of work:

  • Identifying farm-level transitions needed to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate:
    • Farmer case studies
    • Facilitated support for farmer/iwi-led development of novel and innovative solutions to address climate change at the catchment and rohe scales
  • Envisioning what a low emissions future for farm systems might mean in the longer term for the primary sector and Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy and communities at large:
    • Regional analysis of disruptive solutions for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions
    • Critical analysis of potential land use options

More information will be available in due course.