Transforming New Zealand low altitude steepland grazing systems for multi-functional outcomes

Low altitude steep hill country in the North Island of New Zealand are traditionally dominated by family-based, owner-operator sheep and cattle breeding systems. The soft-rock sedimentary soils are highly erodible under intensive grassland systems, and the producers are reliant on international commodity prices for meat and wool that strongly influence product price. There are currently no subsidies available to support producer income during periods of adverse climate or poor prices. There is also increasing pressure from global consumers and local urban-based communities for these systems to reduce losses of sediment and nutrients to water bodies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect indigenous species dominated ecosystems

Determine how changes in land use and management, broadly involving increasing the diversity of farm enterprises, will add value to grasslands across multiple functions: production, profit, environmental protection, soil stability

Private freehold. Some corporate, both commercial and tribal (Māori)

Bovine: Hereford X, Angus X, Friesian X; Sheep: Romney, Perendale, Finn

free market

beef: breeding, Sheep: breeding

Producers, local government, agricultural researchers, environmental reserachers

Farm system analysis, Integrated catchment management