A new nitrogen budgeting tool has been created for the vegetable farming industry to enable growers to make better nutrient management decisions and enhance sustainability practices.
The Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) Tool will enable growers to reduce environmental impact, increase efficiency and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The tool offers real-time nutrient management decision making support for growers, provides guidance for nitrogen application based on the data collected and allows the farmer to generate detailed reports on their nitrogen practices to assist them meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.
It was launched by Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg at a ceremony at Plant & Food Research in Lincoln on August 2.
The SVS Tool was developed in collaboration with leading agricultural experts, environmental scientists and industry partners.
Potatoes New Zealand CEO Kate Trufitt said the SVS Tool represents a significant advance in efforts to promote sustainable farming practices.
“By equipping our growers with cutting-edge technology and actionable insights, we are taking a major step towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.”
SVS programme manager Andrew Barber said the SVS Tool integrates nitrogen planning with soil testing, progressively overriding modelled predictions with measured results.
“The real time data and personalised guidance will help make more informed decisions, ultimately improving performance and reducing environmental impact.”
The SVS project began in 2019, arising from the scarcity of data on vegetable nitrogen flows, particularly in crop rotation systems and a need to sustainably support growers.
Over the next three years nitrogen flow data rates using varieties of fertiliser were measured through a selection of representative vegetable crop rotations at Plant & Food Research sites in Lincoln and Hawke’s Bay. This work and data produced laid the foundation for the SVS Tool.
These experiments were reproduced regionally across New Zealand with increasing engagement with growers to provide valuable insights into vegetable nitrogen optimisation. The project consolidated data from various sources and stakeholders with key inputs from Plant & Food Research modellers, plant and soil scientists.
The SVS model was built to help support growers’ nitrogen use decision making through scientific knowledge, databased decision systems and practical support.
The project collaborated with players across the industry including Potatoes New Zealand, Vegetables Research and Innovation, Vegetables New Zealand, Process Vegetables NZ, NZ Buttercup Squash Council, Onions New Zealand, Horticulture New Zealand, Plant & Food Research, and the Ministry for Primary Industries provided government investment.
Plant & Food Research business manager Miriam Hall called the SVS Tool world leading in terms of its modelling.
“Creating data-based decision modelling Tools from collaboration with a variety of stakeholders is critical to support growers. Plant & Food Research are proud of being part of this project to help shape the New Zealand vegetable industry to a sustainable future.”
