Category Archives: Advocacy

Missed MPI funding opportunity?

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The Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change (SLMACC) research programme… http://www.mpi.govt.nz/environment-natural-resources/funding-programmes/slmacc-research-programme Theme 2: Mitigation of agricultural and forestry greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Theme 2 specifically lists biochar and soil carbon as appropriate research themes. I have an inquiry placed with … Continue reading →

Mike Barton on N-capping

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The following link has a 40min presentation from Mike Barton that is recommended viewing if you are interested in how nutrient capping may affect future agriculture activities in NZ. http://beeflambnz.com/news-events/News/2013/july/farming-with-nutrient-limits/ An important biochar related take from this presentation is how … Continue reading →

NZSSS Conference opportunity

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The NZ Society of Soil Science has advised that they would be interested in receiving participation from the biochar community in their next annual conference. Details here: http://www.nzsssconference.co.nz/ “The conference welcomes participants with all soil-related interests.  If there are a sufficient number of … Continue reading →

Biochar as feed supplement

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Opinion: Where is agriculture’s place in a low-carbon economy? One important focus area for biochar in NZ is water quality butting up against intensive dairy. Maybe this could be addressed in the future with more research on riparian margin biochar … Continue reading →

Biochar producers page

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We have been getting inquiries for biochar – mainly from gardeners wanting to experiment. As interest grows, demand for larger quantities should follow for commercial application trials. If you are producing biochar in NZ and you are able to share some of your production with gardeners or researchers, then please get in touch.

As the market for biochar matures, we should develop some principles and guidelines for sustainable and safe biochar production, post-treatment and application. The easiest path for now may be to follow IBI, European or other international production / testing guidelines.

We are developing a list of NZ biochar producers who may be able to provide biochar or biochar based products from direct inquires. The producers page will provide contact details and product information.