Soil carbon field day

Great turnout at John Kamp's comparison farms

Added 4 years ago

Hawke's Bay Future Farming Trust held a ‘Farming Soil Carbon’ field day in late November at Incline and Ruamati dairy farms located at Patoka.

Farm owner John Kamp talked to a crowd of 40 attendees who ranged from conventional and regen farmers, ag professionals and other sectors such as apple growers. All were interested to hear about the journey John has taken over the last 12 years.

He was backed up by soil scientists Dr Philip Schofield and Paul Smith who also brought many years of experience and knowledge to the discussions.

John has prepared sites on both farms – Incline, which has been regen farmed for 12 years and Raumati, which has more recently started on the journey. With no irrigation and only using natural fertilisers it was easy to compare the depth of dark microbio activity, the depth of plant roots and the depth of moisture in the two soils.

There was much healthy conversation and debate from the crowd with farmers picking up ways to enhance their own operations.

Thanks to Farmlands for their support on the day.

More coverage of the sampling results here.