Biological farming a revolution: scientist | Rural

New Zealand's first national biological farming conference opened in Rotorua yesterday, with a strong focus on water quality, nutrient cycles and pasture soils.

More than 270 delegates attended the first day of presentations and panels at Rydges Hotel and the conference continues today with discussion on Maori perspectives and initiatives in the sector and a field trip to an Edgecumbe farm using biological farming systems.

Yesterday's speakers included Rotorua scientist Guna Magesan, who outlined research into the effect of biological farming practices on water quality in the Vallance Project, named for the late Rick Vallance, chief executive of Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands.

"This project has been initiated and directed by farmers, for the benefit of farmers. We all know there is a problem with water quality in New Zealand and biological farming is going to revolutionalise sustainable farming in New Zealand."

Magesan said attitudes towards biological farming practices had already changed and people who previously scoffed at the idea where now actively involved in research in that area.

"When we are applying for funding, we often get asked to define biological farming, but even conventional farming doesn't have a definition. It varies a lot from farm to farm."

The project is a joint venture between the Federation of Maori Authorities, Federated Farmers and the Rotorua Lakes & Land Trust and includes the use of increased microbial activity in the soil to control nutrient cycles, such as bacillus.

Biological farming also involves minimising or eliminating the use of synthetic fertilisers and Magesan said farmers has seen increases in pasture production, clover percentage and root mass and the goal was to measure a corresponding reduction in nutrient leaching.

Soil and water samples are monitored on the participating farms across a three-year period and he explained several years were needed to allow for variations in climatic conditions, such as rainfall, in any particular year.

To date, results from a Reporoa farm showed nitrate levels were generally lower in areas farmed biologically and there was less variation in nitrogen levels compared to conventional farming.

These results were less evident on the Edgecumbe farm, but Magesan said there had been positive changes to the soil, plant and animal health on the property and cost savings in using less fertiliser.

But he said there was still a long way to go with research into biological farming systems.