Lucas, Di; Smith, Ben; Burrows, Larry; Kraberger, Steffan. 2020. Integrated Farm Plans (IFP): a portal to the future. In: Nutrient management in farmed landscapes. (Eds C.L Christensen, D.J.Horne and R.Singh). http://flrc.massey.ac.nz/publications.html. Occasional Report No. 33. Farmed Landscapes Research Centre, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. 15 pages.
INTEGRATED FARM PLANS (IFP): a portal to the future
Di Lucas¹, Ben Smith², Larry Burrows³ & Steffan Kraberger¹ ¹Lucas Associates, Marokapara, 351 Manchester St, Ōtautahi Christchurch 8013 ²Circular Solutions, 912 SH 14, RD 9 Whangarei 0179 ³Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Lincoln www.IntegratedFarmPlan.nz
Abstract
Integrated Farm Planning involves addressing individual farms and applying landscape planning and farm management modelling to produce bespoke farm plans addressing known environmental issues for the property’s next 30+ years.
Spatially, the farm context and multi-factor site data are identified and recorded to provide baseline mapping for a farm plan and we then comprehensively address rural environmental issues whilst allowing for productivity. Landscape context, natural ecosystems, production systems, nutrient management and GHG emissions are addressed. The landscape resource involves natural, cultural and social diversity, with past and present management regimes recognised in looking toward the future. Using internationally certified lifecycle carbon emissions’ analyses1 the IFP team has developed a model and a framework that applies multi-skilled best practice, knowledge and data to produce integrated farm plans.
Plans are developed which spatially identify the land management changes needed to achieve improved environmental management. They provide staging that transitions each farm toward net GHG carbon neutrality, through mitigating and preferentially in-setting2 emissions within the property or nearby, whilst also transitioning to low nutrient loss, healthy freshwater ecosystems and sustainable lived-in farms.
Using the IFP, the team provides a blueprint for transitioning to environmental and social sustainability through planning and strategic monitoring. Due to the urgent need for guidance in management of GHG, and our IFP-based research and case studies, development is underway for provision of a freely available DIY tool to enable farmers/advisors to develop indicative IFP to show ways to transition individual farms toward net GHG carbon zero.
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1 e.g. Dairy EA™ system
2 ‘In-setting’ refers to carbon sequestration actions undertaken within the property or on adjoining lands in the catchment. ‘Off-setting’ refers to carbon sequestration undertaken elsewhere, spatially unrelated to the farm landscape being addressed.
