The future landscape of New Zealand agriculture

Abstract

Land use change has been a constant theme of New Zealand history. Economics, government policy and farmer choices continue to influence these changes. Current financial drivers are encouraging further growth in the dairy industry through the Canterbury and Southland regions. Changing economic opportunities and government policy around water and nutrient loss will continue to shift the balance of the forces driving land use change. The challenge for business and science is to intensify the competition for land use by lifting the performance of all sectors.