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Plantain Potency and Practice

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Why are we doing this research? The Programme Funding, timeframe and progress Funding partners Delivery partners

The Plantain programme, led by DairyNZ, focuses on using the grazing herb plantain (Ecotain®) to significantly cut nitrogen losses to freshwater and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from pastoral sectors. Research has revealed plantain's potential as a cost-effective tool for nitrogen mitigation, diminishing nitrate leaching and boosting nitrogen retention in soil. The programme seeks to further understand plantain's benefits at a farm scale, its impact on different New Zealand soils, and its effects on dairy products and animal health. By 2040, the initiative could save farmers around $1 billion and reduce nitrate-leaching by 15,000 tonnes annually. Partners include DairyNZ, MPI, PGG Wrightson Seeds, and Fonterra.

The Plantain programme is a DairyNZ-led collaborative research and development initiative. The aim is to substantially reduce nitrogen lost to freshwater and greenhouse gas produced from pastoral sectors by using the grazing herb plantain (Ecotain®).

Why are we doing this research?

Findings from previous research initiatives (FRNL and the PGG Wrightson Seeds Greener Pastures programme) showed that plantain could be used as a low-cost nitrogen mitigation tool, substantially reducing nitrate leaching without compromising animal production. The research confirmed and quantified the effect of plantain on reducing the concentration of nitrogen in urine, and also identified that plantain improves nitrogen retention in soils.

Further research and development is required to confirm and quantify the benefits of plantain at farm scale; understand the effect on soil nitrogen retention in different soils across New Zealand; identify any positive or negative effects on milk and meat products and animal health and welfare; and provide farmers with the information and tools they require to successfully integrate plantain into their farm systems.

Modelling using DairyNZ's Dairy Sector Pathways model estimates that the programme will contribute farmer cost-savings of $1 billion from 2031 to 2040, and reduce nitrate-leaching by 15,000 tonnes per year.

Findings from previous research initiatives (FRNL and the PGG Wrightson Seeds Greener Pastures programme) showed that plantain could be used as a low-cost nitrogen mitigation tool, substantially reducing nitrate leaching without compromising animal production. The research confirmed and quantified the effect of plantain on reducing the concentration of nitrogen in urine, and also identified that plantain improves nitrogen retention in soils.

Further research and development is required to confirm and quantify the benefits of plantain at farm scale; understand the effect on soil nitrogen retention in different soils across New Zealand; identify any positive or negative effects on milk and meat products and animal health and welfare; and provide farmers with the information and tools they require to successfully integrate plantain into their farm systems.

Modelling using DairyNZ's Dairy Sector Pathways model estimates that the programme will contribute farmer cost-savings of $1 billion from 2031 to 2040, and reduce nitrate-leaching by 15,000 tonnes per year.

The Programme

Effectiveness

Farmlet experiments at Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm and Massey University No. 4 Dairy will confirm nitrate leaching reductions from plantain pastures at farm system scale, while measuring production and profit compared to ryegrass/clover pastures.

Transferability

Plot trials will confirm the effect of plantain soil nitrogen retention and quantify the size of reduction in leaching via these processes in 6 regions.

Safety

Any risks or benefits to animals and products will be identified and managed. Includes characterising the properties of milk from plantain-fed cows; developing tests for unique biological compounds in milk; ensuring meat products from animals fed plantain are within food safety guidelines; and quantifying the effects of feeding plantain on dairy cow health, welfare and reproduction.

Adoptability

Support adoption, optimise management and demonstrate the benefits. Includes co-development with farmers to drive plantain adoption and optimal management; methods for routine assessment of plantain content in pastures; extension; management guidelines; and quantifying the economic, environmental and social benefits of widespread adoption.

Plantain Cultivar Evaluation System

The Plantain Programme is using PGG Wrightson Seeds Ecotain® as it is already proven to have environmental effectiveness. The Programme is developing an Evaluation System to test the effectiveness of other cultivars for reducing nitrate leaching.

Funding, timeframe and progress

  • Project timeframe: March 2021 – February 2028
  • Project partners: DairyNZ, MPI, PGG Wrightson Seeds, Fonterra
  • Industry funding: $13.27 million
  • Government funding: $8.98 million
  • Quarterly reports on the programme's progress can be found on the MPI website

The SFFF Plantain programme is a seven-year Aotearoa New Zealand-wide collaborative research and development initiative. The aim is to substantially reduce nitrogen lost to freshwater and in greenhouse gases from the pasture-based food exporting sectors by using plantain (Ecotain®).

The funding partners are the Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand dairy farmers through DairyNZ, PGW Seeds Ltd. and Fonterra. They are supported by additional delivery partners: Lincoln University, Massey University, Lincoln Agritech Ltd., AgResearch, Plant & Food Research and Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research.

Funding partners

Delivery partners

Last updated: Aug 2023
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