In this episode Jono speaks with keen 24-year-old kiwifruit orchard manager Levi Belcher about how he got started in the industry, and why he was attracted to soil health and regenerative practices.

Levi talks about how having a "get stuck in" attitude has made a big difference in his career.

If you are a Kiwifruit grower interested in regen practices and / or organics, or looking to get started in the industry, you will want to sit down for this one!

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this discussion, Jono sits down with dairy farmer and Quorum Sense board member Willie White to hear about his journey into organic regen dairy farming.

From humble beginnings on the family farm as a child - and watching his parents convert a part of the farm to dairy - Willie has always had a strong connection with the land. After a career in rural banking, Willie came home to take on the family dairy farm.

Attending a local field day where a dairy farmer was showcasing his diverse pastures, which allowed him to not need to use synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, Willie had a penny-drop moment. And he set about converting to organic supply.

Looking back, Willie says he's thrilled with the outcomes of that choice, and what it's done to his farm's health and resilience, and to the bottom line.

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this special episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono interviews Professor Jack Heinemann from the University of Canterbury on the topic of GE and GMO in New Zealand.

Professor Heinemann's experience in this field, along with a long list of credentials, make him one of the leading voices in the country. And this conversation uncovers issues and insights into GE and GMO that many may not be aware of.

Tune in as we dive into a very informative conversation on the risks of the proposed GE / GMO regulation changes in New Zealand.

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this episode Jono catches up with Carrie and Tom Andrews from Wholly Cow Butchery in Cambridge.

Carrie and Tom are passionate about supporting their local community and creating opportunities from listening to their customers needs.

From caring for the animals, to slaughter, to butchery and even turning what would normally be waste products into soil building compost - Carrie and Tom are responsible for the whole lot.

Carrie and Tom are keeping traditional skills alive as modern technology is doing more and more of our tasks, and vital skills are at risk of being forgotten.

Listen to how this family has created a fully open and transparent system that promotes connection, responsibility, quality and resilience in their farm and butchery business.

Click this link to check out the Wholly Cow Butchery website.

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this episode we have an in-depth and very personal conversation with Zeb Horrell.

Zeb is a third generation sheep and beef farmer from northern Southland, and Zeb's contributions span much wider than the family farm.

Zeb shares his experience with enterprises, Future Whenua, Polyculture Paddock and Burning Horse festival, and a recent move from his family farm - Motana Flat - to Mangaroa Farms in the lower North Island.

Zeb covers complex topics with grace and ease. From selling farm produce direct to the community and views on regulations, to agroforestry and silvopasture. And from the environmental trading scheme (ETS) to being responsible for your information diet.

Zeb's passion for the industry and what he does is vivid and unmistakable. Try listening to this one and not being inspired by, and excited for, what's possible in our farming communities!

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

Charlotte and Russell Heald are passionate dairy farmers "living their dream life" in Norsewood, Manawatū.

Earlier this year they won the OrganicNZ award for Regenerative Organic Farmer of the Year.

Russell and Charlotte share their journey from conventional share milking to dairy farm ownership. And how a personal health focus began their on farm transition to regenerative and then organic certification, where they receive a premium for their milk.

They wanted to create a low stress farm environment with a focus on profit and abundance of life, and they share how they have done just that.

Charlotte and Russell are very open in this conversation, sharing challenges and successes they have found on the way.

Tune in as we discuss a range of topics from diverse pastures to agri tourism to energy and frequencies in this fascinating conversation with the Healds.

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this episode Stephen Newman shares his journey from the IT industry, to dairy farming in his thirties, to later discover regenerative agriculture and the power of farm discussion groups.

Stephen had no farming background when he started dairy farming and relied heavily on advice from consultants. And he saw synthetic nitrogen as a vital element of his farming business.

After watching a Country Calendar episode, Stephen was introduced to a whole new world of farming. That was the catalyst for change.

Today, Stephen and his wife farm in Kaukapakapa and have been trialing regen practices for five years, including some trials in Kiwifruit orchards he's involved with. Stephen also discusses how beneficial it has been starting a local discussion group with support from Quorum Sense.

He started the Kaipara Regenerative Farming Group and is now getting the first discussion group off the ground for kiwifruit growers curious about regenerative practices.

Tune in to hear this inspiring story of learning and discovery.

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono has a fascinating discussion with David Musgrave about pastoral farming and science in New Zealand

David is a multi-generational farmer who's family started farming at Waihi Bush Farm in the 1800s, and its where David farmed until recently. As well as farming, he has a vast career in science and research exploring what makes our pastures here productive and profitable.

We discuss New Zealand's first urea manufacturing plant and how it shaped our pastoral systems and research, and how our attachment to ryegrass and white clover pastures are limiting us in many ways.

David shares his knowledge on what species of pasture work really well and what resilience and susceptibility to common problems like grass grub and nutrient deficiency look like.

If your interested in thriving pastoral systems, you are going to want to get your note pad out for this one!

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this podcast, recorded especially for our Wintering Innovations Series, Deane Parker, Duncan Humm and Jono Frew discuss their wintering journeys.

Deane talks about going from relying on unreliable winter crops to a full bale grazing system on his mid Canterbury dairy farm.

Duncan shares his journey from heavy pugging on his mid Canterbury deer farm, which included wintering cows from nearby dairy farms. And to lifting stag numbers, introducing diverse species winter crops and silage, and treating his soil totally differently.

Jono adds his first season's learnings from managing a large beef and winter dairy grazing farm in the Waitaki, which involves making their own hay and silage and adapting to the conditions.

This is a lively early-morning discussion between three passionate practitioners who have evolving views on how to look after their animals and their soil.

For find out more about our Wintering Innovations Series and sign up to receive content, click this link to visit the webpage.

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense

In this fascinating episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono sits down in the studio with Dylan Graves from Tuatapere for an in depth talk about some of the powerful uses and functions of Biochar.

After years of journeying around the world teaching, Dylan felt there was something missing in his life.

Then he discovered Permaculture and the wonders of soil which then lead onto discovering the amazing results of using Biochar.

Dylan is a great teacher and does a fantastic job of demonstrating not only the benefits and risks of Biochar, but also goes into great detail of some of the ways literally anyone can make Biochar on any scale.

https://www.sces.org.nz/biochar

https://passionatepermies.wordpress.com/workshops/

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Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer on the Quorum Sense website).

2023 Quorum Sense