Soil mapping for smarter farming
and a healthier environment
The Te Anau Basin, Orauea and Lower Waiau Catchment Groups are working with Land and Water Science across the Waiau catchment to update soil information and create high-resolution soil maps that support farm productivity and improved environmental outcomes.
With guidance from farmer lead 12-member committee representing three local Catchment Groups, this project aims to improve the accuracy of soil data through high-resolution maps that reflect the unique variability of our land.
We all rely on local knowledge and experience, and while this approach works well, existing soil maps are too coarse to support precise property or paddock-scale management. As modern farming is increasingly dependent on detailed soil information, there is a clear need for updated soil maps that can better reflect land variability.
The project has four phases, and we're currently working on Phases 1 and 2. We are integrating all the existing data to create preliminary soil maps and then ground-truthing those maps with 100 soil pits across the catchment. Land and Water Science will then create the high-resolution soil maps.
These maps will give farmers access to actionable, practical, paddock-scale insights to:
optimise fertiliser application
improve soil health
enhance farm productivity
create environmental sustainability.
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Email waiaucatchmentproject@gmail.com to get updates and invites to field days
Visit this page regularly for project milestones and resources
Thriving Southland is a community-led group with a vision to create a prosperous Southland, healthy people, healthy environment from the mountains to the sea.
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25 Don Street,
Invercargill 9810
