Mon Sep 23 22:04:32 UTC 2024: ## Catch Crops Soak Up Dairy Waste, Clean Up New Zealand Rivers
**North Canterbury, New Zealand:** A groundbreaking farm trial has shown that special catch crops can effectively absorb excess nitrogen from dairy cow urine, potentially cleaning up New Zealand’s waterways.
The trial, conducted by Plant & Food Research on farmer Tom Turner’s Waimakariri Gorge farm, has demonstrated that early-sown oats and Italian ryegrass can significantly reduce nitrogen leaching, a major contributor to water pollution.
“It has reduced our footprint in terms of nitrogen leaching and we’ve got a forage there that’s capturing not just nitrogen in the soil, but carbon as well,” said Turner.
Lead researcher Shane Maley explained the importance of the catch crop system. “We started looking at catch crops and trying to work in a system approach of supporting farmers following winter grazing and trying to have an impact on any nutrient losses potentially after those winter months.”
The trial revealed that the catch crops not only absorb excess nitrogen but also reduce sediment loss by up to 40%. “We’re between 40 and 60% of potential losses of nitrogen which those crops are picking up,” said Maley.
The trial’s success has sparked widespread interest among farmers and catchment groups, with similar initiatives underway in Canterbury, Southland, the West Coast, and even the high country.
“We’re working with farmers in the high country. We’ve also got trials set up in Central Otago and cooler inland areas around Wānaka and up through Middlemarch as well,” said Maley.
The research has shown the potential for catch crops to become a valuable tool for sustainable farming practices in New Zealand, offering a significant step towards cleaner rivers and streams.
First Piper 