Oats have been grown in New Zealand since the 1870s and the Southern regions of New Zealand are ideally suited to grow oats and other grains. Our climate and highly versatile soils are key contributors to our high yields and nutritional outcomes.
These natural advantages are strengthened through the supporting local and national research, infrastructure and commercial ecosystem.
Southland is among the top three oat growing regions in the world for yield and quality.
Here in New Zealand we have invested into understanding our soil with extensive studies into soils and what crop grows best where. This is a key contribution to minimizing our environmental footprint.
Research undertaken to understand soil types and what crops grow best where. Information sheets are designed to inform people about the properties and sustainable land use potential of the soils in their region.
Data Sheets published for alternative crops considered to have the potential for commercial production.
This was gathered to further understand soil types. This method measured nutrients in the soil as well as elemental traces to a depth of 700mm.
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of land-based ecosystems, including restoring terrestrial and fresh water ecosystems. Oats contribute to this goal by reducing nitrate leaching by up to 30%. At Functional Foods we will be working to contributing to the local efforts to restore fresh water ecosystems, both directly and indirectly.
Significant areas of the South Island are ideal for growing grains, with versatile soils, natural rainfall, high sunshine hours and a long growing season contributing to the production of exceptionally good grains and high yields.
Oats are an attractive crop as part of a rotational farming system. They are an ideal low input (water and fertiliser) crop and can be used as a catch crop to reduce nitrate leaching or a cover crop providing soil benefits and weed suppression between other crops or as time in pasture.
