Supporting NZ farmers and growers in the shift to biological and regenerative practices
Quorum Sense is a community of farmers, growers, researchers, coaches and others committed to the creation of thriving biological and regenerative farm systems across New Zealand.
You’ll find us in all sectors and throughout the country. Sharing our knowledge, experiences, successes and failures, and putting the fun back into farming along
the way!
“Together we’re building resilience, well-being and a positive view of the future.”
If you’d like to to support our work supporting NZ’s regenerative farmers and growers, click this link to learn how you can make a donation.
Get connected to the QS community
Network of farmers, growers and supporters
Check out the Quorum Sense Toolbox
Toolbox of farming principles and practices
A collection of resources, decision-making tools, and ‘how-to’ information to help farmers and growers understand – and enhance – the biological and ecological processes driving farm productivity, health and resilience.
The Toolbox draws from the knowledge and experience within the Quorum Sense community, combined with established science and research.
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Use the search bar to find specific content using keywords (e.g. Slugs, Deer, Otago, Hamish Bielski…). Or click on one of the tags buttons below to view a list of related content.
Enjoy the latest content from Quorum Sense
Shared knowledge, skills and experience
Waikato's Tomtit Farm is supplying nutrient-dense produce direct to the local community, and connecting them directly to the land and people that produced it.
Dean Martin’s adaptive grazing management is growing soil organic matter, deeper rooting plants and supporting a sheep-based system built around thriving soil.
With its emphasis on community and sustainable ecosystems, Mangaroa Farms is integrating its beef, lamb and vegetable production with both nature and consumers.
The diverse but brittle Central Otago landscape farmed by the Rutherfords has been transformed through soil health, regenerative management and holistic decision-making.
The Bielski’s have tried, tested and evolved a high performance sheep grazing, cropping and pasture management system that's resilient, low input and profitable.
Five years in, Miah and Jenny Smith reflect on their regenerative dairying journey and the dramatic improvements in animal health, margins and their own quality of life.
Two very different vineyards, one in Marlborough another in Canterbury’s Waipara hills, offer different perspectives on what it means to operate regeneratively.
Improving the relationship between soil and plant health is fundamental to helping cycle nutrients and increasing nutrient availability to the vines.
In viticulture systems, cover crops can help reduce compaction, cut fertiliser use, improve water infiltration and lower pest and disease pressure.
Improving the relationship between soil and plant health is fundamental to helping cycle nutrients and increasing nutrient availability to the vines.
Innovative approaches being taken to explore alternative under-vine management that helps increase soil health and support healthy vines, yield and quality.
There are alternative ways to manage vineyard disease and insect pests that are less costly and don’t negatively impact beneficial microbial and insect life.
Improving livestock integration into cropping systems can bring a wide range of benefits and displace the need for increasingly expensive inputs.
Introducing two Canterbury arable farmers who are increasing the health, resilience and profitability of their farm systems, with a focus on building soil health.
Farm data comparison of the crop management inputs and associated gross margins of biological or regenerative farming systems for three common arable crops.
Retaining crop residues and integrating cover crops are key practices that both protect the soil surface and keep living roots in the ground year-round.
Exploring different practices for building soil health and broader ecosystem health, which underpin the success of biological and regenerative arable systems.
Exploring different practices for building soil health and broader ecosystem health, which underpin the success of biological and regenerative arable systems.
Exploring different practices for building soil health and broader ecosystem health, which underpin the success of biological and regenerative arable systems.
Exploring different practices for building soil health and broader ecosystem health, which underpin the success of biological and regenerative arable systems.
Bale Grazing is a wintering system where hay bales are spaced across the paddock, with stock grazing breaks of hay and pasture throughout the winter.
Bale Grazing is a wintering system where hay bales are spaced across the paddock, with stock grazing breaks of hay and pasture throughout the winter.
Bale Grazing is a wintering system where hay bales are spaced across the paddock, with stock grazing breaks of hay and pasture throughout the winter.
Comparison of kale vs multi-species winter cropping generated by Dylan Ditchfield using a mix of actual and estimated costs for the 2020/21 season.
Mark Anderson's South Otago dairy farm has adopted a bale grazing wintering system that’s shown dramatic improvements for soil health and animal welfare.
Josh Bradfield farms on the rolling hills on the north of the Clutha River, adding diversity to his pasture, decreasing inputs and reducing tillage.
South Otago dairy farmers Mark and Madeline Anderson are on a pathway to lower inputs and improved soil health using regenerative principles.
In this second episode, Hamish Bielski gives an insight to how his grazing management and recovery works and the advantages he has observed.
South Otago sheep and beef farmers Amy and Hamish Bielski have spent four years using regenerative principles, focusing on adaptive, high density grazing management.
“Video case studies, along with accompanying write-ups and data, on select New Zealand farmers and growers applying biological and regenerative practices.”
“Exploring how New Zealand farmers and growers are creating resilient, regenerative and enjoyable farming systems.”
Allen Williams shares his inspiring learning journey, returning to farming after 24 years in academia and teaming up with Gabe Brown to impact millions of acres.
Cattleman and educator Jim Elizondo discusses his experience trialing different grazing management regimes, and how plant behaviour changes as conditions change.
Kiwifruit orchard manager Levi Belcher shareds how he got started in the industry, and why he was attracted to soil health and regenerative practices.
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Organic dairy farmer and Quorum Sense board member Willie White shares the impact going 'organic regen' is having on farm health, resilience and bottom line.
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A leading voice on GE / GMOs, Professor Jack Heinemann (University of Canterbury) talks through the issues and shares insights around proposed changes to NZ regulations.
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Waikato beef producers Carrie and Tom Andrews are creating a farm and butchery business built on the fundamentals of transparency, connection, responsibility, quality and resilience
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An in-depth and personal conversation with third generation sheep and beef farmer Zeb Horrell, who openly discusses the challenges and opportunities facing our farming communities.
Manawatū dairy farmers Charlotte & Russell Heald talk about how their transition to farm ownership, to regenerative then to organic has them "living their dream life".
Kaukapakapa farmer Stephen Newman shares his journey in and out of dairy farming, discovering regenerative agriculture, growing kiwifruit and the power of farm discussion groups.
A fascinating discussion with multi-generational farmer David Musgrave about what's shaped our pastoral farming systems and what resilience to common problems can look like.
Part of our Wintering Innovations Series, join Deane Parker, Duncan Humm and Jono Frew as they discuss their experiences with new approaches to livestock wintering.
Dylan Graves discusses the powerful uses and functions of biochar, the wonders of soil and how anyone can make biochar on any scale.
This month, Jono speaks to Claire McKenzie, producer of Six Inches of Soil - a grassroots British documentary which Quorum Sense is bringing to New Zealand screens.
From his off-grid cabin, Northland-based beef farmer and Quorum Sense Team member Nick Tucker dives deep into the opportunities of having more, with less.
We talk to Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research's Peter Edwards and Open Farms founder Daniel Eb about social license and public perceptions of the ‘good farmer’.
Coromandel drystock farmer Ewan Campbell’s unorthodox approach to farming has seen him battle the system, revitalise his soils and win national food awards.
Renowned eco-nutritionist Phyllis Tichinin speaks passionately about the links and parallels between human health and the health of our food systems.
Manager of Motatapu Station, Central Otago, Brad Rudd’s excitement for farming is expressed in trying new things, and breeding resilience into his flock of sheep.
Passionate about food, farming and people, Australia's Charlie Arnott shares insights from his regenerative journey to create a more diverse, resilient and authentic farming system.
Cherryle Prew founded NZ’s only Soil Food Web lab 20 years ago. You’ll want to grab a cup of tea and a biscuit for this conversation!
The tables have turned for arable farmer Peter Legg, from initially learning off others’ knowledge and experience to now being someone others are learning from!
Father and daughter duo Shane Birchall and Meghan Schutt share their learnings and experiences in transitioning to a self-sufficient, low waste dairy and beef farm operation.
Canterbury farmer and Quorum Sense team member Sam Lang talks about the relationship between science and farmer experience, risk, and the importance of support networks.
New farm, new home, new partner, new baby! A whole lot has transformed for Jake Herron in the last two years. A real and refreshing story.
Winner at the 2022 New Zealand Sausage Awards, Canterbury sheep and beef farmer Adam Rivett talks about getting creative with farm enterprises to suit his context.
South Otago sheep and beef farmer Hamish Bielski authentically talks about marriage, managing expectations, failure, continuously adapting, creating opportunities, and celebrating your wins.
Award-winning biological arable farmer David Birkett shares a whole pot of gold as he explains how he built the confidence to try something new.
Young farmer Marran (Maz) Tuckwell talks food and health independence, tapping into nature’s abundance, plus the importance of community and boots on the ground.
Richard Leaske and Nick Paulin discuss the shift in customer attention from product to process, the need for critical questioning, and embracing a bit of chaos!
Lake Hawea Station's Geoff Ross talks about his return to farming, learning from nature and the opportunities in reducing the divide between farm and city.
“Presentations plus Q&As diving deep into the detail of how farmers and growers are applying regenerative and biological practices to their farm systems.”
Sam Lang is joined by guest farmers Dave Mitchell and Duncan Humm share how they (and other farmers) are successfully incorporating diverse forage crops into their farm systems.
Part of our Wintering Innovations Series, three dairy farmers share their alternative wintering journeys, where they're at now and what they've learned along the way.
Host Sam Lang and guest farmers Rhys Roberts (Align Farms) and Miah Smith explore techniques, successes and challenges bringing diverse pastures into NZ farming systems.
Hear from Mark Koopmans (North Canterbury), Rachel Short,(Taranaki) and Ross Johnson (Wairarapa) as they discuss regenerative grazing systems, techniques and farmer-led research.
Watch this webinar recording to learn from Soil Mentor's Abbey Rose how their app makes monitoring soil health on your farm easy and informative.
A tour of the Quorum Sense Regen Forum! You can see what's on offer, how it works, and get some tips and tricks for getting the most out of using it!
Hawke's Bay's Michael Reilly and Taranaki's Rachel Short share their experiences with livestock collar technology. What role can it play in NZ farming systems? What are the opportunities and concerns?
Andy’s research demonstrates complex interactions between physical soil structure and microbiome metabolism with significant implications for nutrient-use efficiency in soils.
Stephan Newman, and Phil & Jenny Grainger from the Kaipara Regen Ag group are involved with the City to Farm composting project lead by Betsy Kettle.
South Otago's Pete Blair and Hawke's Bay's Michael Reilly compare experiences navigating the multi-faceted maze of regenerative grazing techniques in very different contexts.
UK biological farmer Tim Parton shares his approach to arable crop production and how he’s come to work with nature, not against.
In this Quorum Sense webinar we will be focusing on grazing management and planning in a New Zealand landscape.
Following up our ‘Regenerative arable transitions’ case study, we deep-dive into regenerative arable production systems with David Birkett and the UK’s Clive Bailye.
In this second agroforestry webinar, Dr Colin Meurk joins us to discuss the benefits trees bring to agriculture, and how to select and plant for maximum impact.
First in a series of webinars on integrating trees into NZ farm systems, Hawke’s Bay farmer Greg Hart joins land manager and educator Darren J. Doherty.
This April 2021 webinar features four farmers panelist: Mark Anderson (Dairy), Rachel and Kenneth Short (Dairy)and Dean Martin (sheep and beef).
This April 2021 webinar features four farmers panelist: Mark Anderson (Dairy), Rachel and Kenneth Short (Dairy)and Dean Martin (sheep and beef).
This February 2021 webinar features four farmers: Jules Matthew (Sheep & Beef), Hamish Bielski (Sheep & Beef), Miah Smith (Dairy) and Mark Anderson (Dairy).
Gerry Gillespie talks us through how he came to develop the SPICE method, provides practical tips on the composting process and how to apply the end product.
Dr Johnson gives us an overview of his research as well as practical tips for producing and applying high quality compost for commercial farm systems.
In this fourth session of the 2020 Post-Harvest Debrief, we are joined by mixed arable farmers Mike Porter and Roger Small to discuss successes and learnings from this season.
A discussion following a conversation about slug control, featuring Abie Horrock from FAR and Simon Osborne who has been managing slugs in his no-till system for decades.
Angela Clifford from Eat New Zealand & The Food Farm shares her insights as both a small scale grower & marketer, and high level advocate in the NZ food system.
Hamish Bielski talks about his experience and advice for managing stocking rates, grazing densities, pasture growth and recovery periods post-drought.
Hamish Bielski talks about his experience and advice for managing stocking rates, grazing densities, pasture growth and recovery periods post-drought.
In this first session of the inaugural post-Harvest Debrief, Quorum Sense Chairman Nigel Greenwood shares what he's learnt from the trials he's run over the last three years.
“Videos of events from across New Zealand that Quorum Sense has organised, supported or collaborated with others to run.”
Regenerative farmer and grazing coach Siobhan Griffin talks about increasing soil organic matter, growing more grass, reducing costs and improving milk and cheese quality.
More biological products are coming onto the market. But do they work… how do they work… and what do you need to know before introducing them into your system?
More biological products are coming onto the market. But do they work… how do they work… and what do you need to know before introducing them into your system?
More biological products are coming onto the market. But do they work… how do they work… and what do you need to know before introducing them into your system?
More biological products are coming onto the market. But do they work… how do they work… and what do you need to know before introducing them into your system?
More biological products are coming onto the market. But do they work… how do they work… and what do you need to know before introducing them into your system?
More biological products are coming onto the market. But do they work… how do they work… and what do you need to know before introducing them into your system?
“Coming into farming on our own account without much experience meant we weren't tied to tradition and weren't afraid to try new things.”
Join all five presenters from the Wairarapa Quorum Exchange for the Questions and answers session. Guy Peacock, Miah Smith, Jules Matthews, Ross Johnson, Simon Osborne
“Lowering the cost of production, understanding nutrient cycling and building resilience into the farm’s performance.”
“We are part of a community that is committed to building community resilience, reliable food security and production. There is also a big commitment to education.”
“Key learnings for me are the importance of humility, perseverance, research, conceptual and creative thought.”
“We no longer follow the flock and have freedom to farm how we enjoy, without worry about judgement of industry.”
David Birkett incorporates cover crops into his high value seed crops and has done an immense amount of trial work in decreasing synthetic inputs of crops and soil tillage.
Ten years of higher grazing densities & longer recoveries have transformed Dean Martin’s previously unproductive pastures - ewes & lambs are now thriving on it!
Check out the high diversity cover crops being used by the Holdaway family on the 150ha vineyard to boost carbon cycling, beneficial insects and soil & plant health!
Audience questions posed to the panel, which was comprised of all the speakers from the Quorum Exchange 2019.
Jono Frew, farmer and co-founder of Quorum Sense, introduces the audience at the 'Quorum Exchange' to how Quorum Sense was established, what it hopes to achieve and how you can get involved.
This video is only the Q&A session following Peter Barrett's presentation at the Quorum Exchange August 2019 in Leeston.
Peter Barrett from Linnburn Station, Central Otago shares how they use cover crops as a strategic tool to enhance soil health, productivity and performance.
Mixed arable farmer Simon Osborne describes his farm system and discusses his use of cover crops, companion planting and other techniques for improving soil health and crop performance.
Mixed arable farmer Nigel Greenwood shares some of the techniques he uses for growing healthy soils and healthy crops that are resistant to pests and disease, reducing/eliminating chemical use.
South Otago sheep and beef farmer Hamish Bielski shares what he's learned over the last 3-4 years in creating a productive, profitable, and regenerating operation.
Dr Gwen Grelet presents scientific highlights on the importance of diversity, and shares her learnings from her US road trip where she visited a diversity of regenerative practitioners.
Read media articles on NZ regen in action
Farmers and growers exploring alternatives
Review the Quorum Sense network notices
A noticeboard for the community
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Arriving in NZ in July, couple looking for farmhand roles (full time, part time or job share between us) to gain regenerative farming experience.
Experienced farmer from UK looking to experience working on a New Zealand station, offering hard graft in return for board, lodging and good company!
Join a network of farmers looking for insights connecting soil, plants, livestock and profits. And learning how others got where they are today, and where they're now going.
Farmer-led network, Quorum Sense, has received funding from MPI to continue its work supporting farmers and growers in their transition to regenerative farming.
This book tells the stories of NZ farmer who are finding solutions that are kinder to the environment and easier on the picket, and rediscovering purpose, pride and confidence.