Nice article here covering Bettsy & Dave Kettle’s work on the north shore. Link from image above and the article is available from the Organic NZ website. Some interesting discussion included on how they are using biochar in this system.
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Dr Pranoy Pal has an association with biochar reaching back to his post-doctoral work at Lincoln University in 2012. Pranoy is now the Kiwifruit Technical Manager at Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool – New Zealand’s largest family-owned kiwifruit and avocado packhouse. Pranoy’s aim to use regenerative agriculture principles to horticulture, aligns well with the company’s one of the core principles of sustainability.
From one of the recent trials, he quotes, “Our trial involves the testing of the regenerative agriculture concept – we have sown a 16-species seed mix – a seed only, a seed mix plus biochar, biochar only and a control treatment. The trial is in its infancy (started in Sept 2022) but are planning to run it as a multiyear trial. We are doing a chemical and biological testing of the soil across the treatments. We have partial funding from Zespri on this one. Another similar trial is being planned on another kiwifruit block this upcoming season. The biochar used was sourced from SoilPro, Pukekohe, applied at 1 ton/ha – although I would have liked it to be at least 3 ton/ha. The results of BC+seeds had the biggest impact in our study.“
Here is a link to Pranoy’s Linkedin post connected with this work which is also supported by Zespri.
BNNZ has shared some ideas related avoiding some of the environmental impacts associated with the biomass residue removal process that is underway in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and other parts of NZ affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. This document has been shared with officials dealing with the cleanup but it remains to be seen if any of the suggestions fall on fertile ground (or get smothered in silt!)
BNNZ had their bi-monthly committee meeting last night and it was agreed to bring forward the next ‘members lounge’ discussion with a focus on biochar & biomass residue management. Keep a lookout for the notice and reach out if you want an invitation but are not a current BNNZ member.
Thank you Peter Winsley for this timely contribution in support of biochar in NZ. AND do follow the reference to Phil Steven’s article (which is new to me and also remains extremely relevant to our current situation).
NZ media do seem to be finally tapping the deep black vein of news that is biochar. A minor correction I would make to the story relates to international voluntary carbon markets which are humming mainly on biochar sales. https://bezerocarbon.com/insights/deep-dive-biochar/
Lutra YouTube channel has provided links to information and discussion on the new Logan City biosolids processing facility incorporating Pyrocal multi-hearth technology. I’ve posted a few times on this to the BNNZ FB page as the project developed. Its great to see this discussion happening in NZ and thanks to WaterNZ latest newsletter where it was flagged.
The discussion is split into two short video clips.
Here is a link to the Farmers Weekly report. It is a pity they did not choose a more appropriate image (but you could feed your goldfish biochar… it would be good for them).
Here is a link to the full press release which provide references & qualifications in the footnotes.