14 October 2025 Reducing nitrate leaching by up to 50%: pathways to low-N dairy systems

Join us for the next event in Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University’s Excellence Series—an ongoing celebration of academic leadership and applied research that contributes to a thriving, sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand. These events highlight the work of leading scholars whose research is shaping both national and global conversations.

The global agricultural sector faces the challenge of increasing food production while minimizing environmental impact. A significant aspect of this challenge revolves around the sustainable use of nitrogen, a vital nutrient for plant growth, but one that can lead to environmental degradation through water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions when managed inefficiently. The collaborative Low N program is focused on protecting New Zealands waterways through setting ambitious targets to demonstrate the feasibility of reducing nitrate leaching losses by over 40% compared with current best practises. 

In this talk Assoc. Prof. Racheal Bryant will introduce the Low N program and describe the research and practises that are being implemented to reduce N losses from dairy farms.  She will present preliminary results which reveal substantial reductions in nitrate leaching is possible and discuss how they are achieving these outcomes.

This event offers an important opportunity to explore how innovative, evidence-based approaches can help farming systems adapt, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Tuesday 14 October

4.00pm-5.30pm

Pātiki, Waimarie Building, Lincoln University

4.00 pm - Networking

4.15 pm  - Welcome & introduction from LU Vice-Chancellor

4.20 pm - Presentation from Speaker

4.50 pm - Summary

5.00 pm - Networking and questions over drinks and nibbles

5.30pm - Event Ends

Associate Professor Racheal Bryant

My research focuses on dairy production systems and nutritional strategies for reducing the impact of dairying on the environment. My research topics include nutritional management of lactating dairy cows and young stock, grazing behaviour, pasture agronomy including the impact of technologies such as endophytes, N fertilisers and gibberellic acid. Much of my research involves finding commercial tools to solve practical problems. To do this, I work closely with farmers and industry professionals through organisations such as the South Island Dairy Event, South Island Dairying Development Centre farm focus days, and DairyNZ farm discussion groups. My research demonstrates how commercial technology can be adopted and modified to measure outcomes and improve analysis and explanation of science outcomes.