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Farm Diversification

Land use diversification means re-thinking how you utilise your land. Every farm is different so there is no ‘gold standard’ for diversification.

There are plenty of options to explore and many choose to start small by testing a new crop on part of the farm while retaining current activities.

As well as working out what could successfully grow on your farm, you need to know there is a market for what you grow.

If you make changes to your farm, can you bring in a suitable return to justify replacing or adding work to your current activities?

It’s also worth thinking about ‘why’ you are considering diversification. This will help you decide what direction to go in:

- You have a passion for a particular activity and see an opportunity to supplement your other income – this might not involve farming at all.
- You have large capital costs coming up for what you are already doing and want to find an alternative before then.
- You want to lower your impact on the environment, or maybe even improve the environment.
- You want to pursue regenerative or organic farming practices.
- You want to prepare for anticipated changes in the market (such as protein alternatives).
- You want to prepare for anticipated changes in the climate.

When considering what to grow, also consider what skills and infrastructure are needed on farm. Is storage needed, processing equipment and buildings or specialist skills? Some crops may require a high up-front cost while others might bring in a lower return but be easier to make a profit on.

Assistance Available

Local Assistance

Our Land and Water Enhancing production and productivity while maintaining and improving the quality of the country’s land and water. MPI On Farm Support A free on-the-ground service to help farmers navigate information, investigate opportunities and access advice. Waimakariri Landcare Trust A farmer led initiative to support long term sustainable agriculture in the Waimakariri District. Hurunui District Landcare Group An independent group of over 300 farmers looking to support farmers to navigate increasing complex operating environments while protecting land, water and biodiversity. Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd Working towards a future where individual farmers actively manage irrigation, applying precisely the right amount of water at the right time. Amuri Irrigation Supporting Hurunui farmers to make better decisions around healthy land and water. North Canterbury Rural Support Trust Helping locals to navigate their financial and personal challenges, or assist during climatic adverse events like drought, flood, or heavy snow. Free and confidential assistance. Leftfield Innovation A better New Zealand through sustainable food production. MagnifyNZ An experienced Ag-Bio company here to put the power back in farmers' hands by getting nature working for them. MADE North Canterbury Our local provenance brand, helping local growers and food producers to get more food to market.

Tools and Research Documents

FAR AI An AI tool that you can use to ask a question and get an answer with links to the research underpinning the answer. Tools for Making Land Use Change Decisions A free online course to help you learn how to make decisions about land use diversification. Whitiwhiti Ora: Land Use Opportunities A free data supermarket detailing a range of land opportunities. Worker Requirements by Land Use Tool A tool to estimate how many workers you need and when you need them, by crop type and land size. Signals for Land Stewards A document looking at what influences farmers to make change on their land. AgMatters Practical information on how to reduce on-farm emissions and achieve other environmental goals. Next Generation Systems Identifying next generation primary production systems and opportunities to change the face of farming. Comtrade Database A United Nations tool showing the value of any product exported to different nations up to 2022. Protein Futures Future scenarios for land use in Aotearoa New Zealand Beyond Meat and Milk Three scenarios showing us how the rise of new proteins could radically change the future of farming in Aotearoa. Growing Together 2035 Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan – Strategy The Aotearoa Circle Reports and resources including climate change roadmaps for different sectors.

Investment

Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Supporting problem-solving and innovation in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector by co-investing in initiatives that make a positive and lasting difference. New Zealand Green Investment Finance A green investment bank established with the purpose of accelerating investment to enable Aotearoa New Zealand’s low carbon future. Financing Infographic An interesting tool looking at sources of funding for alternative land uses.

Local Studies

Future Focused Land Use Opportunities - Waimakariri A study looking at land use opportunities in Waimakariri with case studies of Sheep Milking, Blueberries and Pipfruit. By Leftfield Innovation for Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd. Land Use Options in Waimakariri Case Studies from Whitiwhiti Ora, including forestry, fungi, hops, agrivoltaics and apples. Agrivoltaics Integrating solar energy generation with livestock farming in Canterbury. Food Fibre and Agritech Innovation Ecosystem Map A useful chart linking to many players in the Food, Fibre and Agritech ecosystem

Studies Across New Zealand

Foundation for Arable Research A wealth of knowledge, tools and research documents for New Zealand farmers. Cider Apples Roadmap A roadmap for the premium cider industry looking at how to develop and improve New Zealand cider to become a major export industry. Taranaki A range of alternatives considered for their Branching Out project. Includes avocados, gin botanicals, grains, legumes, vegetables, hemp fibre, hops, indigenous ingredients, kiwifruit, medicinal plants, sheep dairy and trees. Great South Crop data sheets developed for Southland. Includes flowers and foliage, medicinal herbs, tree crops, vegetables, culinary herbs. Waitaki A presentation considering multiple crop types. Includes agrivoltaics, apples, cherries, parsley, currants, coppiced trees, hemp, echinacea, kānuka, mānuka, maples, blueberries, ranui berries, sheep milk, snowberries, truffles, tulip bulbs, and wasabi. Waitaki A deeper dive into berries and medicinal crops Taieri Diversification Opportunities Project. Includes sunflowers, native trees, arnica, lavender, buckwheat and linseed. Manawatu and Palmerston North

Paths To Market

Grains and Grasses

Luisetti Seeds are looking for growers of wheat, barley, oats, clover and ryegrass in North Canterbury. Farmers would need their own equipment and storage facilities. Luisetti Seeds have a team of agronomists who would help you to choose your crop and get up and running.

Fruit and Vegetables

PAK’nSAVE Rangiora and Rangiora New World have stated a willingness to buy seasonal produce in volume directly from growers. If you are considering selling directly to a Foodstuffs supermarket we suggest reading their compliance package as there are tight protocols around product safety, growing practice, spray regimes and more.

Wholesalers of fruit and vegetables report little demand for new growers at this time.

Forestry

CarbonCrop help landowners to improve agricultural resiliance, restore degraded landscapes and boost farm profitability through monitoring existing native forestry or planting new native forestry.

NZ Farm Forestry provides information on all aspects of farm forestry. Their members grow radiata pine; cypress; eucalypts; redwood; blackwood; other exotic species and managed indigenous forests.

Hops

Hops have been suggested by many as a potential crop for North Canterbury with a changing climate making our area more suitable.

Beer sales have been declining in New Zealand and worldwide along with higher costs of business putting pressure on both craft breweries and the larger breweries. There is an oversaturation of hops worldwide making it very difficult for new growers to enter the market.

Hemp or Medicinal Cannabis

Hemp and medicinal cannabis are relatively new crop options that many farmers have considered.

The bureaucratic barriers to getting up and running in cannabis production are very high.

Wholesalers indicate that they do not expect a demand for any new growers for 2-3 years for either hemp or cannabis.

Rubisco production

New processing techniques mean that green leafy plants can be converted directly to protein.

This is an exciting new area with many possibilities, but currently demand for raw materials in this industry is being met by existing growers.

Other ENC Resources

Marketing

How do you get customers to know you exist? Once they do, how can you get them to spend with you? Find out here.

Systems and Processes

Tools, resources and links that will help the administrative side of your business hum.

Funding and Investment

Need money to start, grow or re-invent your business? Here are some possible avenues.

Your Finances

Cashflow is the lifeblood of every business. Browse tools and strategies to help you manage your day to day finances.

HR: Managing Staff Well

Staff can make or break your business. Know your obligations when employing others.

Data

Data helps you make good decisions, understand the wider picture of your industry and validate your plans. We've compiled some key data for North Canterbury businesses.

Growing Your Business

Learn how to successfully grow your business, locally or through exporting.

Sustainability in Business

It might take some up-front investment, but reducing your impact on the world is likely to save you money in the longer term as well as make your brand more attractive.

Social Enterprise

Starting a social enterprise is a noble goal. But what exactly is a social enterprise and how do you go about setting one up?

Managing Decline

What do you do when things are not going as you wanted them to? This page provides information and resources to help with decisionmaking.

Exiting Your Business

Whether selling or walking away, there are a number of things you can do to maximise profit and minimise loss.

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