Most New Zealand dairy farmers put profitability first but some are planting native trees anyway

On The Conversation, Lincoln University Postdoctoral Fellow in Biodiversity Elizabeth Elliot Noe and Professor Anita Wreford, along with Senior Lecturer from the University of Waikato Ottilie Stolte, discuss their newly published research taking an in-depth look at the experiences, values and priorities New Zealand dairy farmers have for their land.  

Globally, about 40% of ice-free land is used for agriculture, managed by farmers and herders.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, this share is even higher, with 51% of land used for agriculture and horticulture. Of this, currently, about 10% is used for dairy farming.

When natural habitats are cleared for agriculture, most native biodiversity is lost. Dairy farms represent intensive farming systems with significant detrimental consequences for biodiversity, water and soil quality. However, hedgerows, riparian plantings and shade trees can enhance native biodiversity within these landscapes.

In our new study, we visited 14 dairy farms and interviewed farmers in the Waikato and Canterbury. We found dairy farmers have multiple values and priorities but limited time, resources and energy. While working within external constraints such as land ownership or regulations, farmers will act on what they value most.

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