Welcome to our September newsletter
It’s been a great – if cold – August and we hope you’re all doing okay in the wet, cold, snow conditions.
A highlight this August is seeing our Catchment Groups connecting with each other. The Waikawa Catchment Group invited the Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group to their patch to chat about their revival project, aimed at eradicating feral animals in their area (see more on that here). The Waikawa Catchment Group had identified this as a key issue for them, so what better way to get some good intel than from a Group that’s out there doing it!
The past month also saw the Ōreti Catchment Groups getting together for their annual catch-up, to share ideas and inspiration over a meal. The strength of catchment communities lies in the experiences and knowledge that can be shared between them. Great stuff.
We’re well into calving, and with lambing fast approaching, it is of course an extremely busy time on farm. All the best to everyone, and remember to keep in touch with each other - the days are stretching out, fingers and toes crossed for a good one.
Resource of the Month
Exploring Southland's food and fibre opportunities: Precision Fermentation
Over the past year, we've been hearing more about precision fermentation and its potential impact on the dairy sector. To help you explore what this new technology could mean for you, we've put together a discussion paper that offers a clear overview of precision fermentation, reflecting a range of opinions and insights. We hope to spark further conversation within our community.
The paper provides a high-level overview of precision fermentation, including a summary of the technology, insights from various stakeholders, and pointers to more detailed information. It's designed as a resource to spark thought and debate, encouraging you to form your own views on this emerging field. It draws on a range of recently published research: it does not refer to any new research undertaken by Thriving Southland.
The dairy sector is vital to Southland's economy. It supports one in five jobs in the region and produces about 12% of New Zealand’s dairy output. With over half a million dairy cows across 980 herds, it's clear that dairy is a big deal for Southland.
Precision fermentation is widely regarded as the alternative protein technology most likely to impact New Zealand first, especially in the dairy sector. As global investment in this technology grows, it’s crucial for us to understand its potential implications, from the opportunities it might create to the challenges we could face. The time to start thinking about the potential impacts of precision fermentation is now.
Investment in precision fermentation is growing globally. Disruption to the New Zealand dairy sector by precision fermentation will likely come from offshore activities. We need to consider how we will strengthen our resilience to this potential disruption.
Opinions are divided on how much New Zealand should invest today in preparing for potential disruption – no one is sure exactly what the future holds. The discussion paper touches on the importance of national and regional conversations about the future of New Zealand’s dairy sector and the need for strategic preparation.
We hope this paper will serve as a useful resource for you and will encourage proactive conversations about the future of farming in Southland.
Visit www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/southland-food-and-fibre to find out more. The discussion paper brings together a broad range of opinions and insights and does not represent the views of Thriving Southland.
The Good Sh#t List
Our farmers have been hard at work making positive changes on their farms, and we're excited to share the highlights. From winter grazing plans to riparian planting and soil testing, here's a snapshot of the great stuff happening on farms across Southland. What’s on your list?
Check out the Good Sh#t list here.
Catchment Convos is Here!
Launching 1 October, our new podcast brings you the latest from Southland's Catchment Groups. We'll hear from passionate farmers, communities, and industry leaders.
Get inspired, learn practical insights, and join the conversation!
Stay tuned for more!
Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group starts Phase 2 of their Revival project to tackle feral animals
Alongside regular activities, the Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group have been busy progressing phase 2 of their Revival project – feral animal management in our catchment.
Phase 2 focuses on community engagement, supporting landowners to understand the impacts of ungulates throughout the catchment, and help reduce the population to improve native regeneration, freshwater health and minimise financial impacts to farmland.
They recently held a strategy planning day with forestry groups, iwi, QEII and Environment Southland, as well as presenting to, and connecting with, regional and national groups on pest management.
They received Westpac Watercare funding to help establish a nursery to grow locally sourced natives and purchased signage to raise awareness and to identify the boundaries of our catchment. They’ve also started developing a community picnic area through planting days and supporting the Kowhai Reach refresh. Finally, a recent helicopter deer cull removed over 350 deer for human consumption.
Coming up, they’re excited to be involved with the 1 km each way initiative alongside Dipton and mid Oreti Catchment Groups to help tidy up roadside rubbish.
Ōreti Catchment Groups Annual Get Together
Lower Ōreti spent an evening learning about local waterways and where the water collects in their area. This is all part of their work to learn about their special part of Southland and help them make great decisions for their farming businesses - environmentally and financially. Land & Water Science created two maps for the Group, showing the local hydrological network and relatives wetness gradient. The Group are keen to see the Wetland Resource Directory that the Mid Oreti Catchment Group are making, as part of the Marshalling The Best project. We are looking forward to seeing what their next steps are.
Tackling our pest animal problem together
The Waikawa Catchment Group and the South Coast Catchment Groups heard from the Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group about their Revival Project. Pest animals are a major issue in the Catlins, and it was so valuable to hear the learnings.
It was also great to see how the Waikawa catchment is already managing pests. Thanks to Marsh and Environment Southland for sharing. Following on from this event, the Waikawa Catchment Group held a planning meeting on 20 August.
Wendonside AGM
The Wendonside Catchment Group recently held their AGM, celebrating the completion of the Landscape Project and taking the opportunity to reconnect, reflect on their achievements, explore new ideas, and discuss future project opportunities. The Group invited Thriving Southland Project Lead Richard Kyte to share the many exciting Catchment Group projects that have been happening across Southland. We look forward to seeing what the WCG get up to next!
Otamita Catch Up!
The Otamita Catchment Group got together for a coffee and a yarn at Mandeville's Miss Cocoa Cafe recently. An EPA eDNA funding opportunity had come up for the Group, and they are keen to extend their knowledge around what's living in their waterways. We look forward to hearing the outcome of the application.
Lumsden Stormwater Project: A Community Collaboration in the Making
The Between the Domes Catchment Group and some of the Lumsden locals got together to talk about a project that could really make a difference for our community. The Lumsden Stormwater Project, which came about through our ongoing chats with local councilor Matt Wilson, is an exciting opportunity.
As one of the few rural towns in Southland set to grow, Lumsden’s facing some stormwater challenges. This project is a chance to roll up our sleeves and work together—locals, community groups, and the council—to develop something that benefits everyone.
After being on the back burner for a bit, the idea got some solid support at this week's meeting. They're keen to keep the momentum going and make it happen. Next steps? Stay tuned, and let us know what you think!
Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session
First Tuesday of every month, 4pm to 6pm
AB Lime Nursery, 10 Bend Road, Winton
All welcome to our monthly native plant growing working-bee evenings at the AB Lime Nursery - first Tuesday of every month. Your help will go towards growing plants for the Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement Project, which provides native plants to the local community and landowners for their planting projects. Training is provided and all ages welcome! Stay for as little or as long as you like.
There are likely to be more events in the pipeline so make sure you check out the events section on the Thriving Southland website and the Facebook page for details.
Have a great September,
Ngā mihi
Richard Kyte (Thriving Southland Project Lead) and the Thriving Southland Team
