The term regenerative originated in the United States and many of its concepts are similar to rotational pastoral grazing, already common on New Zealand farms, he told a webinar organised by B.linc Innovation. He was responding to questions for participants in the webinar.
There is logic to regenerative farming’s philosophy where better soil nutrition and management ultimately flow to products.
“I think we have to look at all of those opportunities and we have got, particularly in the US market, a focus on pasture-fed protein and there’s a premium being paid for that.”
If Beef + Lamb’s Taste Pure Nature campaign can be linked to regenerative farming it could take advantage of those premiums.
“Regenerative has a brand value. We just have to define what it will mean for us,” he said.
The recent launch of the Government’s Fit for a Better World blueprint for the primary sector fits into the story NZ produces food and fibre that adhere to regenerative principles.
“We think that if you buy a product from NZ you’ll be buying a product that helps the world.
“That’s an incredible story that can have incredible brand value.”
There is some truth to claims there is not enough science to support the claims being made about regenerative farming. So NZ has to develop its own science.
Farmers he has spoken to advise others to try it on a small portion of their farm and see if it works.
“Plant one paddock in 40 different species and see how that goes and graze it in a different way before converting your whole farm.
“There are a number of ways we can move forward on this. There are a number of different technologies that enable us to monitor it but we do need scientists alongside us, reassuring us that the direction where we are heading is the right one.”
O’Connor also hinted there might be a new food and fibre ministry if Labour can form a government after the election.
“It’s one of the discussions we should have.”
O’Connor was responding to a question whether there are plans to better align the country’s food producers with the Ministry of Health in light of the covid-19 outbreak.
Too many New Zealanders cannot get access to quality food in their daily lives, he said.
“That is terrible for a country that claims to produce the healthiest and safest food for 40-50 million people who we export to.”
“We have a reputational risk here that unless we ensure that obesity levels are reduced and that people have access to good nutrition on a daily basis we’ll be exposed as we market offshore.”
The food production sectors needed to get together and somehow ensure there is a delivery system available so people can afford that food.”
“The duopoly that we have in the supermarkets does not help in my view.”
