EP7: Project spotlight - Biodiverse planting for citrus orchards
This second episode of a two-part series explores how introducing more biodiversity into the orchard can increase beneficial insect populations to help sustainably manage insect pests, and cut down on agrichemicals. This episode discusses the practical demonstration of the science on two citrus orchards in Gisborne.Links to the grower guides referenced in this episode:Guide 1: Establishing floral resources for improved biological controlGuide 2: Insect monitoring of perennial cropsGuide 3: Management and evaluation of beneficial plantingPlus, you can find many other resources, video tutorials and presentations relating to this topic here.Looking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Linkedin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:24
EP6: Redesigning orchards - Agroecology, conservation biocontrol and their use in perennial crops
This is the first of two episodes exploring how introducing more biodiversity into the orchard can increase beneficial insect populations to help sustainably manage insect pests, and cut down on agrichemicals. It’s a look at farming that works with nature, not against it.Links to the grower guides referenced in this episode:Guide 1: Establishing floral resources for improved biological controlGuide 2: Insect monitoring of perennial cropsGuide 3: Management and evaluation of beneficial plantingPlus, you can find many other resources, video tutorials and presentations relating to this topic here.Looking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Linkedin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:34
EP5: Biodiversity in Action
This is episode two in a two-part series inspired by a forum we hosted at our demonstration farm in Pukekohe, Auckland. In it, we’ll be exploring why biodiversity matters on farm and the role it plays in pest and disease management.Links to the full presentations referenced in this episode:Dr Charles (Merf) Merfield – Why a biodiverse landscape is importantJames Gardiner – Implementing biodiversity projects on NZ farmsDr Brad Howlett – Native plantings that support beneficial insect biodiversityOlivia Prouse – Boosting beneficials using biodiverse planting on vegetable farmsMichael Arnold – “A Lighter Touch,” the LeaderBrand storyPlus, you can download a plant species list from the biodiversity planting in vegetable farms project here.Looking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Linkedin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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25:05
EP4: Biodiversity 101 – What is it and why is it important?
This is episode one in a two-part series inspired by a forum we hosted at our demonstration farm in Pukekohe, Auckland. In it, we’ll be exploring why biodiversity matters on farm and the role it plays in pest and disease management.Links to the full presentations referenced in this episode:Dr Charles (Merf) Merfield – Why a biodiverse landscape is importantJames Gardiner – Implementing biodiversity projects on NZ farmsDr Brad Howlett – Native plantings that support beneficial insect biodiversityOlivia Prouse – Boosting beneficials using biodiverse planting on vegetable farmsMichael Arnold – “A Lighter Touch,” the LeaderBrand storyPlus, you can download a plant species list from the biodiversity planting in vegetable farms project here.Looking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Linkedin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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15:09
EP3: Defining your Extension Project’s Target Audience
This is the final episode in a three-part series inspired by a webinar we hosted, titled “Strategies to encourage grower adoption of new technologies.” In the episode, we walk through how to define the target audience for your Extension programme. We hear predominantly from Dr Geoff Kaine, Senior Researcher at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research as he describes the 'farm context' for your innovation, and how to establish unique audience segments for better targeting.Resources from this episode:Webinar recording by A Lighter TouchLooking for more tools, tips, and resources on sustainable agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand? Visit A Lighter Touch's website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Linkedin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The landscape is changing for New Zealand’s plant-based growers, with market access, pest and disease resistance, consumer demand, and regulatory shifts all impacting the way food is grown in Aotearoa.In the A Lighter Touch podcast, we share knowledge to help Kiwi growers find new tools and solutions to manage pests and diseases in their crops, with a lighter environmental touch.Join us as we sow the seeds to help growers move from agrichemical reliance to agroecological crop protection – sustainable farming that works with nature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand