Time to rethink our approach
Much is being made of the recent Country Calendar episode where ‘‘different’’ farming practices were aired, particularly the use of mattresses in the shearing shed.
It is a strangely disappointing discussion for me. Not because of the content of the programme but because of the lack of critical discourse regarding food production. Yet again, anything that is different is perceived as wrong and threatening.
While the episode was airing I was in Chicago attending the Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum.
Tom Vilsack, US Secretary of Agriculture, painted a picture of a system in dire need of innovation, where 89% of farmers couldn’t produce enough to sustain themselves on the land; where food systems had become fragile and where the impact of inputs (for example, gas) would become crippling.
His observation was that the largescale food system was not robust and that future food systems needed local and regional production of food.
It was disturbing to hear of a food system so defined that delays in getting hogs to slaughter meant the animals had to be euthanised (as the system only coped with a particular size animal). Producing animals so that they can be euthanised needs to be considered as one of the greatest disgraces of our time.
Perhaps one of the more compelling cases for new food production was that of indoor farming of fruit and vegetables. The ability for production facilities to be close to where the consumer was, that required considerably lower inputs in pesticides, fertiliser and water, and that were data driven made a strong case for investment. One provider described how they have achieved price parity with traditional systems and their system was 100% more productive.
Listening to the speakers felt like someone had pulled back the curtain on a robust and equitable food system that was water- and energy-efficient, and consumer ready.
While the new systems provided a glimpse of a positive future with less food waste, less water use and fewer inputs, traditional farmers/ranchers talked about their inability to access materials (magnesium for spring feed, diesel exhaust fluids, tractor parts, seed, financial relief) and the impact that this has had on food production. Alongside the stressors of an ageing farming population and a need to mitigate climate change, the farmers spoke of being in a business where they had no control of either their inputs or outputs.
Taking control of inputs and outputs was the theme of the session on food by design. The audience heard of the use of CRISPR technologies to develop plants that were resilient to changing climate conditions and consumer preferences.
It was interesting to hear of the development of pit-less cherries that grow as a bush rather than a tree; living in the cherry capital of New Zealand I couldn’t help wonder how the inputs would change if frost and water protection did not have to be attained through the use of helicopters, one of the most prevalent methods.
If mattresses in shearing sheds is causing you concern you won’t appreciate how much I enjoyed listening to Ethan Brown from Beyond Meat. Many have been willing to condemn plant-based protein as a fad but the message from Brown was that the bubble has not burst and that there will be a consolidation.
The Beyond Meat objectives are to be indistinguishable from animal protein, to clean up questions about health (he talked large scale, reputable studies) and to drop the price beyond that of animal protein. He was so inspiring I went out for a Beyond Meat burger and was not disappointed.
Helen Darling has a PhD in Public Heath and has been working in food systems for some time. She is a founder of Sumfood, a New Zealand start-up that is reimagining food systems for the benefit of people and planet, and InstatData, which ethically and legally provides big data insights.
Waikato Farm Data for week ending Friday 22nd July 2022
Gordonton Matamata Owl Farm Springdale Te Aroha
Tokoroa
D4 5 2 3 2 5 4
DairyNZ Comment
14 11 12 9
- 11.5
8
40 30 21 40 37 29 17
2106 2000 2124 2550 2435 2310 2018
4.9 4.8 4.9 4.8 5.0 4.8 4.7
18 20 25 17 35 18 21
1.48 2.05 1.94 1.91 1.50 1.97
0 2.22 3.73 2.48 2.70 0.40 2.71
0
27 228 29 27 1.7 50
0 1 8.4 16 2093 4.9 15 1.8 1.44 4 1 8.9 19 2098 5.1 39 1.90 3.05 9 The herd is grazing 1/60th of the farm area per day, with 2.7kgDM/cow/day supplement being fed. Last year the herd was grazing 1/50th of the farm area per day, with no supplement being fed.