Northland to benefit from $17m resilient pastures initiative

Northland farmers will be one of the main beneficiaries of a $17m research programme aimed at making pasture land more resilient to climate change and severe weather events.

A $17 million investment into New Zealand’s agricultural future has been unveiled, with Northland one of two key regions to benefit from the Resilient Pastures programme.

Announced by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay at the national Fieldays, the seven-year initiative aims to tackle pasture persistence – a challenge that threatens the productivity and sustainability of New Zealand’s pasture-based farming systems.

Led by DairyNZ and supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the programme unites farmers, scientists, Māori organisations and industry leaders to develop region-specific solutions that can withstand climate variability and extreme weather events.

“Pasture is the backbone of our agricultural economy,” DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown said.

“Without action, we risk losing our competitive edge in global markets. This investment is about future-proofing our farming systems – and Northland is right at the heart of it.”

A pastoral farm in Te Kōpuru, Northland. Photo / Craig Brown

Recent data shows pasture productivity in Northland and Waikato is declining by up to one tonne of dry matter per hectare per decade. Farmers are being forced to renew pastures more frequently, increasing costs and reducing long-term sustainability.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Kate Acland emphasised the importance of the programme for livestock farmers.

“Pasture performance underpins our low-emissions, grass-fed red meat production. If we lose that, we lose profitability and resilience,” Acland said.

The Resilient Pastures programme is jointly funded by the Government’s Primary Sector Growth Fund and industry partners including Fonterra, Barenbrug and the TR Ellett Agricultural Research Trust.

It will focus on identifying pasture species and management practices more resilient to climate change, with practical, profitable and environmentally sustainable outcomes.

“This is not top-down science,” Acland said.

“It’s grounded in what farmers are experiencing on the land.

"Northland farmers will play a key role in shaping the research and testing solutions that work for their unique conditions.”

With climate change already impacting pasture growth and farm profitability, the programme is seen as a critical step in safeguarding New Zealand’s food production systems.

“This is about innovation, collaboration, and ensuring our rural communities – especially in regions like Northland – are equipped to thrive in a changing world,” Brown said.

Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years of journalism experience, with much spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast. She is passionate about stories that make a difference.