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FUNDED PROJECTS
Agribusiness Innovation Grants
Grant Number: #21125
Differentiation of organic from conventionally produced milk
$20,000
Nicola Shadbolt
Massey University/AgResearch
Organic milk is preferred over conventional milk by some consumers for health, environmental and/or ethical reasons. This project aims to identify milk components (e.g. metabolites, lipids, proteins, sugars, micronutrients and contaminants) that can distinguish organic from conventional milk. The factors influencing milk composition may be pastoral, physiological and/or environmental. Milk, colostrum, urine and blood plasma will be collected from individual cows at the Massey University Dairy Cattle Research Unit (DCRU) organic-conventional dairy systems trial throughout the 2010-11 dairy season and individual milk components characterised. Other than routine testing for generic milk production parameters (i.e. milk solids, protein, fat), a rigorous investigation of the impact a switch to organic practices has on milk has not been performed. The universality of any unique biomarkers will be investigated over a continuum of commercial conventional and organic farms that include the range of farming practices and possible mechanisms investigated using a range of bioassays.
Dr Don Otter
AgResearch
Tennent Drive
Palmerston North
Telephone 06 351 8153
Date: 05-May-2011
Grant Number: #21124
Land treatment of municipal wastewater for farm irrigation
$34,500
Sustainable Wairarapa Incorporated
New Zealand produces around 4 billion litres of treated municipal wastewater per day - about the same as the average flow in the Tongariro River. Currently virtually none of this effluent is used for farm irrigation, despite declining water resources in many areas.
A key obstacle to uptake of treated wastewater is its perception. For example, the Fonterra effluent quality standard is set not by public health risk, but by the market acceptance - the perception - of its suitability. Thus whilst technology is sufficiently advanced to ensure that public health risks are acceptable, there is a knowledge gap in achieving cultural acceptability.
The proposed project uses bio-mimicry to replicate the natural processes through which water is purified by the environment. Just as septic tank effluent is physically and spiritually cleaned in its passage through the soil and subsoil before emerging into downstream waterways, a land treatment system was trialed to remove all human elements and the water retrieved for reuse.
Once the human waste stigma has been removed, the water respresents a significant national resource.
Download Preferential Flowpath Land Treartment System Pilot Plant Trial Report
Download Reports Appendix - Cultural Perspective for the Research of the Effluent Process
Ray Stewart
611a Upper Plain Road
RD8
Masterton
Telephone 06 378 8681
Date: 11-Mar-2011
Grant Number: #21123
Funding assistance for Don Nicolson's attendence to Salon International de l'Agriculture in France
$5,000
Federated Farmers of New Zealand
Provided funding assistance for Don Nicolson's travel expenses toward his attendence at Salon International de l'Agriculture in France.
Mark Ross
Federated Farmers of New Zealand
PO Box 715
Wellington
Date: 17-Feb-2011
Grant Number: #21122
Scoping Exercise - Optimised Fodder Systems
$5,000
The New Zealand Merino Company
The New Zealand Merino Company to undertake an independent scoping exercise on Novel Fodder Systems. This scoping exercise will establish a detailed understanding of the use and current performance of controlled hydroponic fodder production systems.
Peter Floris
The New Zealand Merino Compnay
PO Box 25-160
Christchurch
Telephone 03 377 7991
Date: 09-Feb-2011
Grant Number: #21121
Farming for our Future
$9,060
Farming for our Future Group
A grant provided to bring agribusiness industry repreesentatives togather to dicuss the 'Farming for our Future' concept.
Sandra Taylor
200 Major Hombrook Road
Mt Pleasant
Christchurch
Telephone 03 384 7933
Date: 14-Oct-2010
Grant Number: #21120
The Life and Times of Tail End Ewes - defining the demograhics and fate of ill-thrifty ewes in commercial bredding flocks
$11,414
'Tail end' ewe investigation group
This project has been running since March 2009. The study aimed to gather information from ewes that are classified as ‘tail end’ (i.e. in very light body condition). Farmer approaches to managing these sheep range from doing nothing, various management approaches to try to improve their condition, through to culling them. Whilst previous New Zealand research on these ewes has focussed on post–mortem surveys to ascertain cause, this project attempted to follow the performance and fate of these animals in commercial flocks over a protracted period.
The aim was to gather a data set which could then be used to examine questions such as: Who are these ewes (ewes cutting teeth? old ewes? parasitised ewes?), what proportion of these animals recover, is there some minimum condition score from which recover is unlikely, does a worm treatment aid in recovery? It is hoped that by answering some of these questions, farmers can be provided with realistic options for managing these sheep and hopefully reducing a significant area of loss for many breeding flocks.
Ginny Dodunski
ginnyd@totallyvests.co.nz
Date: 16-Jul-2010
Grant Number: #21029
Sustainable Footrot Treatment
$20,000
Merino Wool Growers & Users - Footrot Interest Group
University of Otago
The project will investigate the ability of chitosan derived from seafood industry waste to be used as an alternative and more sustainable footrot treatment. Methods will be developed to inexpensively extract chitsan from seafood waste in a form (gel or liquid footbath) that enables effective delivery for the prevention or treatment of footrot. Laboratory studies will be undertaken to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the formulation against Dichelobacter nodusus, the causative agent of footrot. If these studies show the formulations are efficacious then on-farm trials in sheep will be conducted (for which SFF-funding has been confirmed).
Dr Craig Grant
C/- University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin
Telephon: 03 479 5047
Date: 11-Jun-2010
Grant Number: #21030
High Quality Dietary Wool Protein: Feasibility Study
$20,000
Edible Wool - Proof of COncept Interest Group
Centre for Innovation, University of Otago
Wool fibre is almost pure protein (~95%). In its natural form wool is resistant to digestive enzymes due to is cuticle and high % of di-sulphide bonds. However, recent developments in advanced chemical processes and enzymology hold great promise for extracting digestible proteins from wool. These proteins offer great potential as a nutritious, versatile (nil taste, odour, or colour) and cost effective food/ingredient, thereby creating an important new revenue source from wool. In this feasibility study, the quality (amino acid profile) and digestibility (amount of protein broken down and utilized) of wool-protein extracts will be evaluated in a rat model.
George Dias
C/- Dept Anatomy & Structural Biology
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin, 9054
03 479 7092
Date: 11-Jun-2010
Grant Number: #21031
Publication of Centennial of Ashley Dene
$8,000
Neil Gow
AGMARDT provided funding for the publication of the Centennial of Ashley Dene. The book is expected to provide valuable account of dryland pastoral farming past, present and future which will be based on 100 years of research and commercial systems activity at Ashley Dene. It is hoped that the book will stimulate discussion and debate on the future of dryland farming.
Neil Gow
Date: 11-Jun-2010
Grant Number: #21026
Developing Successful Cervical A1 in Sheep
$95,931
Sheep A1 Group
Cervical insemination in sheep has the potential to replace laparoscopic artificial insemination as the technique of choice in sheep artificial insemination. The objective of this project is to field test recent developments under NZ conditions. We will evaluate recently developed promising semen extension media & Insemination techniques that facilitate semen deposition. Increased uptake of cervical artificial insemination will; significantly increase annual rates of genetic improvements, and therefore productivity , in sheep maternal and terminal traits; and provide a simpler gene dissemination platform to exploit future benefits arising from discoveries in sheep genomics.
Dr William McMillan
801 A River Road
Chartwell
Hamilton 3210
Telephone: +64 274625920
Date: 19-Feb-2010
Grant Number: #21025
NZX Rural Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Project
$7,500
NZX Rural Newsroom
The key aims of this project are for NZX rural specialist climate change reporter Marie McNicholas to attend the Climate Change Conference (COP 15-The Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) from December 7-18, 2009; at the Bella Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark, to gather information and contacts, and then to fully report on the conference in NZX Rural’s stable of publications (particularly The New Zealand Farmers Weekly and the company’s online, real-time news product Newsroom).
These publications are targeted at the rural sector – farmers and agribusiness owners – and, in the case of The New Zealand Farmers Weekly, has a readership of more than 205,000 per issue. Newsroom is targeted primarily at the government and business markets.
Tony Leggett
PO BOx 529
Feilding, 4740
Telephone: 06 323 0730
Date: 11-Nov-2009
Grant Number: #21022
Variable rate irrigation optimising water use efficiency
$29,050
Manawatu Sand Country Variable Rate Irrigation Consortium
Landcare Research
This project based around the Manawatu sand country was to install and trial variable rate modification on an existing centre pivot irrigator, aiming to optimise water use efficiency. This addresses the issue of unprecendented demands being placed on freshwater for irrigation. Automated variable rate irrigation scheduling was to be guided by farm management needs and digital soil water status maps. Controlled drainage methods were developed to maintain a fluctuating and seasonally high water table within optimal ranges for tillage operations and crop water supply. Water, drainage, leached nitrogen, runoff, energy, greenhouse gases and cost savings under variable rate irrigation compared with uniform rate irrigation was assessed.
Carolyn Hedley
C/- Landcare Research
Riddet Road
Massey University
Palmerston North 4474
Date: 18-Sep-2009
Grant Number: #21023
Future Food Farming New Zealand Inc. Meeting Tomorrow's Markets
$50,625
AGMARDT provided funding for the publication and launch of Future Food Farming. This book looks at the challenges and opportunities faced by the primary sectors within New Zealand and includes contributions from leading scientist, industry representatives and farmers. The book is designed to stimulate discussion and debate that; highlights the potential of agriculture while acknowledging some issues that need to be addressed; encourages discussion and suggested repositioning of sectors; and explores pathways to increase profit margins for agri-food and fibre products.
Alan Emerson
dath-emerson@wizbiz.co.nz
Date: 01-Sep-2009
Grant Number: #21027
Omega Farms - Wine-Wasted Worms (W3): Wine tannins for parasite control
$18,000
Omega Farms - Organic Farming Group & University Otago
Parasite infection significantly impedes animal productivity. Anthelmintic drugs are currently extensively used for treating gastrointestinal parasites. However, they are costly and increasing drug resistance and environmental concerns mean more effective and sustainable approaches to parasite management are required. Condensed tannins (CT) can alleviate the negative effects of parasites. This project looked at wine by-products (lees) as a cost efficient and reliable supply & high concentration of CT. Lees are also rich in antioxidants which may positively enhance overall animal health and meat quality. This project will undertake preliminary investigations to gauge the feasibility of using lees to control parasites and improve meat quality.
Allan Richardson
Heriot RD2
Tapanui
Otago
Telephone 03 2042134
Date: 20-Aug-2009
Grant Number: #20927
Impacts of long-term irrigation and fertiliser on pasture soil carbon
$28,913
Winchmore Soil Profile Carbon Group
Lincoln University
Sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide as organic carbon in soil is widely acknowledged as a viable mechanism fo climate change mitigation. The overall aim of this project is to quatify the effects of long-term irrigation and fertiliser application on the occurence of organic carbon in stoney soils developed under intensively grazed permanent pasture in New Zealand. This will involve excavation and analysis of the entire soil profile down to 1.5 metresunder each replicatefield plot at the Winchmore Irrigation Research Station in mid-Canterbury. These plots are the longest running trial of their kind in New Zealand and will provide invaluable knowledge on the effects of irrigation and fertiliser applications on soil carbon sequestration in pasture soils.
Professor Leo Condron
Agriculture and Life Sciences
PO Box 84
Lincoln University
Lincoln 7647
Telephone 03 321 8207
Date: 28-Apr-2009
Grant Number: #20928
Innovation in sixteen to eighteen micron wool: Applying the model for success
$80,000
NZ Merino Sixteen to Eighteen Micron Wool Innovation Group
The New Zealand Merino Company
A significant opportunity exists to lift the current value of 16 - 18 micron wools, which constitute around 10% of all Merino wool produced in New Zealand. THis project seeks to: 1. Developn a greater understanding of the properties of this important componenet of the NZ wool clip. 2. Develop exciting new product lines tailore to this fibre, 3. Create a compelling technical/marketing package to ensure these products are successful in the marketplace and command price premiums, and 4. Facilitate supply chain arrangements resulting in a lift in value of these wool types in the order of $1/kg. To achieve this, The New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) and its growers intend partnering with the world's largest and most successful next-to-skin merino apparel manufacturer, Icebreaker, to create a product offering differentiated around the intrinsic properties of the fibre and the resultant fabric. Such a message might be presented around, for example, fibre fineness and the (even finer) lambs-tip that exists in much of the wool in this micron bracket. The significance of a fine tip (and frequently 16-18 micron wool is finer in the butt region also) is that it should theoretically offer a much higher comfort factor than wool having a constant profie along its length. The Group proposes to undertake a similar development process aroung 16-18 microm wool as pioneered with 18-21 micron wool by the same grouping in the 1990s. This resulted in the redefining of the next-to-skin apparel sector, in significantly improved returns for NZ merino growers, and in Icebreaker moving from a garage-based operation to being the the single largest consumer of New Zealand Merino worldwide (accounting for over 1/8 of Merino wool produced in theis country). To repeat this success story with 16-18 micron wool would provide an enormous boost to the New Zealand Merino industry.
Dr Simon Causer
The New Zealand Merino Company
Level 6, 79 Cambridge Terrace
PO Box 25-160
Christchurch
Telephone 03 377 7990
Date: 28-Apr-2009
Grant Number: #20929
Identification and multiplication of sheep with weak dietary preferences
$30,000
The Lincoln University - Coopworth Society
Lincoln University
Sheep with strong ("fussy") and weak ("less-fussy") dietary preferences are known to co-exist within the same sheep flock. The aims of theis project are: (a) to exploit this difference in dietary preferences by demonstrating that grazing by sheep with weak dietary prferences leads to improved and more sustained quality and thus higher animal performance. (b) to determine the relative contribution of heredity and learning to differences in dietary preferences (c) to make sheep with weak dietary preferences available to the wider sheep industry.
Dr Alastair Nicol
Agriculture Group
Agriculture and Life Sciences Division
Lincoln University
Phone: 03 3252-811 ex 8076
Date: 28-Apr-2009
Grant Number: #20930
The Mineral Requirements of Grazing Ruminants
$30,000
New Zealand Society of Animal Production
Massey University
The project is to update NZSAP Occasional Publication No. 9 "The Mineral Requirements of Grazing Ruminants" which was first published in 1983 and edited by Dr Neville Grace.
Dr Paul Kenyon
Publications Officer NZSAP
Massey University
Private Bag 11-222
Palmerston North
Date: 28-Apr-2009
Grant Number: #20931
Rapid diagnosis of insecticide resistance in aphids
$90,000
Fresh Vegetable Product Group, Horticulture New Zealand
Plant and Food Research
Aphids cause major financial losses for vegetable growers, and are becoming resistant to common insecticides. Recent research has shown that this resistance comes from specific genes. "Genetic fingerprinting" using DNA-based diagnostic tools suggests that the researchers will be able to identify whether aphids in a crop are resistant to insecticides. With this information, growers can choose an insecticide from a chemcal group that will control the aphids. This will eliminate the cost of ineffective spray treatments as well as reducing aphid damage to crops.
Dr Ron van Toor
Plant and Food Research
Private Bag 4704
Christchurch
Telephone: 03 325 9658
Date: 28-Apr-2009
Grant Number: #20934
Study of USDA beef-twinning programme during calving
$8
Mid North Island Beef Producers Group
AgResearch
Over a 14 day period, Duncan Smeaton of AgResearch traveled to the USDA Cattle Research Centre at Clay Centre, Nebraska to observe their beef-twinning programme during calving. The purpose of this trip was to: Speak to science staff about all aspects of their breeding programme which has been running for many years; Discuss the potential for breeding "easy calving" twinning cows; Observe Clay Centre's management of their animals for several days over the calving period (particularly difficult part of managing twin calving cows); and Visit and speak to beef farmers running twinning cows.
After undertaking this activity, a report was prepared for the Group about the potential for beef twinning in New Zealand, recognising that although the barriers to successful use of twinning in this country are significant, the productivity gains could be immense (ie. the gains in the sheep industry in the last two decades). A report was also presented to various industry meetings in New Zealand.
Duncan Smeaton
168 Woodlands Road
RD2
Waihi 3682
Telephone: 07 8562 836
Date: 28-Apr-2009
Grant Number: #20932
Investigate levels of carbon in soils under different land use systems
$20,000
Waihi Farm Unit Research
The project has two basic aims. This is to find out levels of carbon sequestration in the soil. Levels under a variety of landuses will be measured to see if there is a relationship between land use and levels of carbon stored in the soil. THe second is to contineue exploring the effects of shade on the amount of dry matter in kiwifruit.
Richard Keesing
07 549 1044
PO Box 147
Katikati
Date: 12-Mar-2009
Grant Number: #20933
The impact of molybdenum on the efficacy of organic and inorganic copper supplements in New Zealand dairy cattle
$30,000
Agvance Marketing Limited
Cooper (Cu) is essential to the health and performance of dairy cows. Dietary molybdenum (Mo) affects Cu utilisation by decreasing Cu absorption, storage and function. Many of New Zealands soils contain high levels of Mo. Because of this Mo has a large impact on the Cu nutrition of New Zealand dairy cows. High Mo intake (>4 mg/kg dry matter of forage) can reduce conception rates by 15-30% and impair growth of calves. When pasture Cu is insufficient, herds must be supplemented. Inorganic copper sulphate or 'organic' copper chelates are commonly added to feed or drinking water. Some overseas studies report that high Mo has a greater negative affect on the absorption of copper sulphate than the absorption of chelates copper. This study compares the efficacies of copper sulphate (inorganic) in dairy cows with a high Mo intake managed and grazed under NZ pastoral conditions.
Shaun Balemi
Agvance Marketing Limited
PO Box 38016
Howick
Auckland
021 644035
09 534 1093
Date: 27-Feb-2009
Grant Number: #20821
Adapting strip-tillage for pastoral farmers
$24,850
Ruataniwha Mixed Cropping Farmers
Ruataniwha Mixed Cropping Farmers project 'Adapting strip-tillage for pastoral farmers' looked at strip tillage, commonly used in intensive cropping systems, but not widely adopted in pastoral farming systems. However, it has the potential to improve the sustainability of these systems by:
• Reducing fuel use/establishment costs
• Reducing nitrogen loss through mineralisation of long-term pasture
• Negating the effects of wind erosion; direct economic (crop loss through “sand blasting”); indirect economic (loss of soil depth); environmental (soil loss); and social (dust).
This project trialled and adapted strip-tillage techniques so as they can be successfully adopted by pastoral farmers.
Contact person: Andrew Curtis
Telephone: 06 844 4839
Address: Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Private Bag 6006
Napier
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20822
Mating disruption to control citrus flower moth
$24,472
New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc
Citrus flower moth has become a major problem for lemon growers in recent years. It causes over-thinning of flower buds and flowers which results in fruit loss, while larvae penetrate the fruit surface causing oil glands to rupture, resulting in rind-spots on the surface of the fruit. Currently lemon growers may apply up to 7 – 8 sprays per year, half of which can contain organophosphates for pest insect control. There are concerns about the loss of export access to some markets due to the current use of organophosphates in citrus and other control options need to be explored. Mating disruption is a method by which pheromone dispensers are used to saturate the orchard with a pheromone so that the males are unable to locate the females. This may prove to be a cost-effective, chemical free control method. Mating disruption is used for other horticultural peats in New Zealand including codling moth, oriental fruit moth, light-brown apple moth, and native leaf-rollers. The aim of this trial is to determine the efficacy of mating disruption against citrus flower moths.
Contact person: Nikki Johnson
Telephone: 04 917 7163
Address: PO Box 10 629
Wellington
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20824
Investigate causes of low dry matter in Waihi Hayward kiwifruit orchards
$18,976
Waihi Farm Unit Research
Waihi College
The project has two key aims. One is to follow up existing research on dry matter in kiwifruit, concentrating on the Waihi basin, an area where dry matter levels have been below average. The second is to explore the linkages between schools and scientific research groups, looking at ways in which to comprehensively involve secondary school pupils in the scientific and business processes.
Contact person: Richard Keesing
Telephone: 07 549 1044
Address: AgFirst BOP Ltd
PO Box 147
Katikati
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20825
Enhancing understanding of Merino fibre length and strength
$32,456
The New Zealand Merino Company
This project will improve our understanding of the relationship between the greasy length/strength of NZ Merino fibre and the extent this is preserved after conversion to combed top (the stage prior to yarn spinning). Such measurements are a key predictor of prices achieved for Merino fibre. In particular, the project seeks to provide growers information around sources of variability in the existing test method and the impact these have on resulting measurement. This will better enable them to interpret results. It also seeks to compare the length/strength of Merino from different countries and, again, to relate this to processing performance.
Contact person: Dr Simon Causer
Telephone: 03 377 7990
Address: The New Zealand Merino Company
Level 6, 79 Cambridge Terrace
Christchurch
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20826
Healthier sheep milk with probiotics
$139,107
Waituhi Kuratau 1A1B2 Trust
The challenge to adding value to New Zealand’s agriculture sector today is about producing products for a more health conscious consumer who demands high quality food produced under stringent hygiene and sustainable practices and underpinned by top class scientific research. The emerging sheep dairy industry has the opportunity to establish itself as a leader in the functional food sector by developing specialised nutritional milk products aimed at promoting health and wellbeing. This project focused on identifying, through a clinical trial, the effect on human gut inflammation of sheep milk containing probiotics and the synergies between the two at reducing gut inflammation and supporting and supporting human gut health.
Contact person: Graeme Everton
Telephone: 04 298 2652
Address: 337a Kapiti Road
Paraparamu
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20920
An assessment of the copper status of grazing dairy cows
$30,000
The Veterinary Centre
Copper is an important trace element to ensure good health and performance in dairy cows. The metabolism of copper is complex as its absorption and storage in the liver is influenced by dietary antagonists such as molybdenum. Increasing Mo intakes decrease tissue Cu concentrations and this is associated with a marked influence on conception rates and calving percent of cows as well as general health. To implement an effective copper supplementation programme the copper status of the herd must be accurately diagnosed. To date there are limited data on this aspect of copper nutrition. The data from this extensive trail, based on determining the liver copper concentrations from liver sourced via a biopsy technique or from cull cows, on herds grazing pastures of varying molybdenum concentrations, will be used to establish a robust protocol to assess the copper status of grazing cows. The outcome of the study will mean that copper deficient herds can be readily detected, and then supplemented so that copper is not a limiting factor in dairy herd performance.
Contact person: Adam Hittmann
Telephone: 07 871 5039
Address: The Veterinary Centre
333 Sloane Street
PO Box 422
Te Awamutu
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20921
Development of cradle-based upright shearing platform
$50,000
PERKINZ
Building on our success with the development of an upright crutching platform, Perkinz Ltd will return to our original objective of developing upright posture shearing systems. The need for cost-effective wool harvesting systems has never been greater. Our experience with crutching platforms has proven that simplicity of design is crucial to the success of shearing systems in general – it keeps costs down and, even more importantly, ensures reliability. The outcome of this project will be shearing systems that reduce farmer’s investment in wool harvesting and conversely increase the productivity and flexibility of shearing contractors. Our upright posture crutching systems have already demonstrated their potential in Australia, and we are confident our upright posture shearing systems will also have significant international potential.
Contact person: Wayne Perkins
Telephone: 03 202 5102
Address: 12 Newcastle Street
Riversdale
Southland
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20922
Irish wasp dissemination
$30,000
Clover root weevil biocontrol team (AgResearch)
AgResearch Ltd
Economic assessments using StockPol® and UDDER indicate that white clover production losses due to clover root weevil decrease farm gross margins by 10 – 15%, unless remedial action is taken. The newly released Irish wasp appears to be an excellent biocontrol agent. The aim of the project were to: Get the Irish wasp out to all farmers anxious to get it on their properties; Achieve rapid widespread dispersal of the Irish wasp through the North Island; Increase awareness of benefits and current “best practice” for establishment and maintenance of high quality grass/clover pastures; and Promote the benefits of the research to farmers.
Contact person: Dr Pip Gerard
Telephone: 07 838 5103
Address: AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20923
Sustainable parasite management: evaluation of best practice.
$120,000
Farmers concerned about sustainable parasite management
The project will implement and evaluate Best Practice management strategies targeted to the specific needs of farms with worms reistent to multiple drench families. The outcome will be direct evidence about the ability of current recommendations to maintain an acceptable level of parasite control while also preventing the further development of drench resistance. This information will directly complement the industry’s WormWise extension programme and will be communicated to farmers, animal health advisors, and the agribusiness sector through workshops, seminars and continuing education programmes across the duration of the project.
Contact person: Tony Rhodes
Telephone: 06 374 4640
Address: PGG Wrightson
PO Box 42
Dannevirke
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20924
Quality assurance of NZ Calla Tubers
$32,154
New Zealand Calla Council Inc
Over a two year period, the aim of this project is to develop and refine a new technology at the grower level, which potentially offers assurance of enhanced quality of tubers to NZ growers and exporters of callas. Researchers at Massey University have illustrated that both tuber size and floral productivity can be improved by 30% when plants have received applications of a new plant growth regulator-based technology in the previous season. The actual constituents of this plant growth regulator treatment remains as IP owned by Massey University. While the application of plant growth regulators is standard practice during tissue culture, and gibberellins are applied to enhance floral productivity in the field, this new technology uses different plant growth regulators and timing of application. This technology has also shown the potential to increase productivity 30% above that already achieved under existing standard practice. While the new technology has shown potential within the University’s research environment, there is no certainty as to whether it will translate directly into benefits within the commercial environment. The project proposed here, therefore, endeavours to investigate at this level.
Contact person: Don Thomson
Telephone: 06 272 8389
Address: NZCC
118 Ngaronga Road
RD 13
Hawera
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20925
Breeding select eucalypts for naturally durable timbers
$80,000
New Zealand Drylands Forests Initiative
The group will breed eucalypts adapted to grow on NZ drylands that will produce strong naturally-durable vineyard posts within 8 – 10 years. This will improve the “green” market reputation and sustainability of both NZ’s forestry and wine sectors, by replacing CCA-treated vineyard posts. The group will (1) gather seed from Australia; (2) raise planting stock; and (3) establish tree breeding trials in successive years – one new eucalyptus species each year. From each species the group will select an elite population (1 tree in 100-500).
Contact person: Gerald Hope
Telephone: 03 577 2370
Address: C/o Marlborough Research Centre
Private Bag 1007
Blenheim
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #20926
Nodulised stack dust as a lime and potassium source for grapes
$49,434
Buller Community Fertiliser Company Ltd
Nodulised stack dust (NSD) is a by-product of cement manufacturing industry. This three year project aimed to test its efficacy on both red and white grapes as a cost-effective alternative to conventional lime and potassium sulphate. NSD contains traces of metals such as selenium, lead and thallium. In particular thallium needed to be more intensively monitored for soil, plant and juice uptake to ensure NSD is a safe product for the grape industry to use and what, if any, guidelines needed to be put in place for its use.
Contact person Murray Craighead
Telephone: 03 312 9598
Address: 118 Duffs Road
RD2 Rangiora
Canterbury
Date: 19-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #21020
E4 Pork - An excellent eating experience everytime
$41,634
E4 pork Producers
The aim of the E4 porject is to improcwe the eating quality, particularly tenderness, of NZ pork through the devekopment of a pork quality programme.
The first stage of the project will survey slaughter plants to measure the current tenderness cariation in NZ pork. The second stage will audit current slaughter porcesses and examine the impacts of various steps of the process on tenderness. The third stage of the project will develop best practice processing for application across New Zealand's plants to ensure consistently tender product for the consumer.
Contact: Grant Boston
Telephone: (04) 917 4752
Address:
New Zealand Pork
PO Box 4048
Wellington 6140
Date: 15-Dec-2008
Grant Number: #21021
Control of Fly Speck and Sooty Blotch in NZ KiwiBerry Crops
$14,820
KiwiBerry Growers Incorporated
The project investigated two serious fungal induced cosmetic disorders that are occuring in KiwiBerry crops. The disorders, Fly Speck and Sooty Blotch express themselves as black staining on the skin of the KiwiBerry. This results in the fruit being rejected for export and local market sales.
In the 2009 sales season many growers lost significant percentages of fruit to these disorders making their crops uneconomic to produce. This project looked at finding a solution to the disorders otherwise the industry was at risk of no longer being viable for growers to continue to grow the crop.
Linda Harley
PO Box 9272
Tauranga
Phone: 0274 369 134
Fax: 07 552 6511
Date: 20-Aug-2008
Grant Number: #20711
Benchmarking in the walnut industry for higher profitability
$24,750
New Zealand Walnut Industry Group
This project aims to improve walnut orchard management methods by providing robust benchmarking feedback to orchardists on key performance indicators related to management inputs. The industry is in the early stage of development and the project will significantly contribute to developing a community of best practice. Specific orchard inputs to be monitored include soil moisture, fertilizer use and blight control measures. Outcome benchmarking will focus on nut yield, tree growth and evidence of disease pressure. Establishing best practice in relation to spraying, fertilizer and moisture will assist growers to reduce cost of production and environmental impact whilst ensuring maximum yield and high quality product.
Graeme Nicholas
Telephone: 03 974 3133
480 Rattletrack Road
RD 4
Christchurch
Date: 26-Jun-2007
Grant Number: #20728
Investigation of causes of low dry-matter in Waihi Hayward kiwifruit orchards
$17,108
Waihi Farm Unit Research Group
Waihi College
This project, involving pupils from Waihi College, will investigate how shading and plant canopy affects dry matter production in Hayward kiwifruit. The shade and control treatments in a number of kiwifruit orchards in the Katikati and Waihi districts will be replicated to see whether results from previous trials can be repeated. It will enable pupils to gain a better understanding of both business and scientific processes and the results will be presented to local growers.
Richard Keesing
Telephone: 07 549 1044
Agfirst BOP Ltd
PO Box 147
Katikati
Date: 26-Jun-2007
Grant Number: #20729
Production of 20 episodes of
$60,000
Farming Today
The project will involve producing 20 regionally-specific episodes of "Farming Today", a rural show produced for Family TV in Matamata. The emphasis is on producing content-driven episodes that aim to bridge the rural-urban gap through education and an increased understanding of local farming issues via the medium of TV. The show will also aim to increase awareness of local farmers and growers of both local, national an international issues, trends and technology. Whilst agribusiness excellence, leadership and innovation in the greater Waikato will be highlighted, there will also be a focus on increasing the communication capability of both professionals and farmers.
Mand McLeod
Telephone: 021 631 108
707 Woodlands Road
RD 1
Hamilton
Date: 26-Jun-2007
Grant Number: #20505
On-farm extraction of high value milk components
$120,000
Waikato Milk Enhancement Group
We want to determine the feasibility of on-farm milk value enhancement using a cow-side extraction technology, and so improve dairy farm returns. Robotic milking equipment provides low volume milk flows, allowing continuous cow-side harvesting of high value milk components using our patented technology. The technology needs refinement and integration into commercial dairying, and the application to existing milk harvesting systems evaluated. Extraction technology will be used with novel farm management practices to increase the yield of high value milk components. The use of new farm practices to increase component levels and the new on-farm extraction technology for extracting these components, will allow the dairy farmer to capture high value milk components from their herd or individual cows and provide greater business choices and less reliance on commodity returns. The refined technology could be adapted to non-robotic milking sites and potentially, larger scale manufacturers. This proposal carries the endorsement of Fonterra who are watching developments with interest with a view of possible commercialisation. This association will provide market linkage, necessary to maintain relevance of the proposed programme.
John Dawson
Telephone: (07) 889 5304
Address:
PO Box 383
Morrinsville
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20504
Agronomy to improve the quality of yacon for export
$120,000
Yacon Growers Group
The aim of the project is to develop production systems for yacon that meet the requirements of the Japanese and Korean markets. Crop and Food Research Institute has demonstrated that yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) can be grown in New Zealand and give high yields of tubers. When grown on a commercial scale, quality issues have emerged that limit the acceptability of tubers both for sale as vegetables and for processed ingredients. It is planned to test several production systems and compare the quality and yield of tubers produced.
Contact:
Bruce Clark
Telephone: (06) 867 9337
Address:
c/- Sunrise Coast New Zealand Ltd
PO Box 2057, Gisborne
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20602
Improving kumara yield and quality by modifying soil nitrogen levels
$50,000
Northern Wairoa Vegetable Growers Association
Kumara has been an important crop since man first set foot in New Zealand. Specific cultivars have waxed and waned over our history, but the dominant traditional cultivar we see today was derived from an introduction by a 1850's whaling ship. This kumara cultivar, 'Owairaka Red', is prone to developing a root disorder that has no external symptoms but causes brown staining throughout the flesh. Such roots give the consumer no warning until they are cut open or cooked, when they are found to be inedible. This project explores the triggers that give rise to the Brown Centre disorder.
Contact:
Andre de Bruin
Telephone: (09) 439 6714
Address:
PO Box 148
Dargaville
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20605
Virus-free export lily bulbs
$128,300
Flower Bulb Exporters of New Zealand
Bulb Exports of New Zealand (BENZ) has seven shareholder bulb companies that work cooperatively to service export markets. The companies are spread from Auckland to Southland and produce 90 percent of New Zealand's bulbs. The bulb growers provide 'out of season' product, especially to Japan and Holland. The Japanese market for lily bulbs has grown in New Zealand to 110 ha. and has an annual value of about $20 million. This market has a zero tolerance for plant virus contaminants. Contamination risk is currently reduced by controlling insect vectors with intensive spraying programmes. Current control strategies are based on common practice in Holland and may be inappropriate for New Zealand conditions. The development of a New Zealand specific virus control strategy to ensure more effective lily virus control will ensure ccontinued market access and increase New Zealand's competitive advantage in providing high quality virus free bulbs to Japan and other export markets.
Contact:
Dr Ian Scott
Telephone: (03) 325 6400
Address:
Crop & Food Research
Private Bag 4704, Christchurch
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20606
NZ Agribusiness: Structure, Conduct & Performance
$450,000
Agribusiness Research & Education Network (AREN)
This project was to contribute to the development of an Agribusiness Research and Education Network (AREN) whose collective aim was to build a stronger foundation (i.e. direction, cohesion, capacity) for agribusiness research and education in New Zealand. The proposed work was intended to act as a start-up vehicle for AREN to build business relationships and enhance capacity. Research findings would provide an understanding of the relationships between structure, conduct and business performance with regard to the changing nature of products, processes and organisations. Four case studies were undertaken in the venison, kiwifruit, sheepmeat and dairy industries.
Download report 'Venison - the key elements to the success and failure of the NZ venison industry'
Download report 'Dairy - the key elements to the success and failure of the NZ dairy industry'
Contact:
Dr Gavin Sheath
Telephone: (07) 838 5310
Address:
AgResearch
Private Bag 3123, Hamilton
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20610
Development of mobile and fixed upright shearing platforms
$20,000
Perkins Mobile Shear Ltd
Perkins Mobile Shear is developing shearing platforms that allow harvesting of wool by a shearer standing upright . Innovative design allows the sheep to be restrained and fully controlled through the entire shearing process. This improves the accuracy and quality of key shearing blows. The aims are: (1) to meet or exceed the quality and productivity of transitional shearing; and (2) to provide improved comfort and safety for shearers. The systems offer farmers the opportunity to reduce capital investment in wool harvesting. They also increase the productivity and flexibility of shearing contractors. They have significant national and international potential for animals ranging from lambs to rams.
Contact: Wayne Perkins
Telephone: (03) 202 5102
Address:12 Newcastle Street
Riversdale
Southland
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20614
Managing variability in high performance dryland sheep systems
$91,000
Silverwood Reference Group
Lincoln University
This project is part of a larger programme to investigate and demonstrate sustainable, best practice management of contrasting high performance dryland sheep systems. The aims of this component are: 1) to evaluate alternative strategies for managing the risks of unpredictable rainfall and growing conditions typical of dryland systems, including such things as de-stocking, sale strategies, feed management and supplementation, and 2) to identify critical decision variables which need to be monitored, and establish trigger values for action, to ensure timely reaction to dry conditions so as to increase the level and reduce the variability of gross margins over time.
Contact: Professor A C Bywater
Address: Agriculture and Life Sciences Division
P O Box 84, Lincoln University
Canterbury
Telephone: (03) 325 3838 Ext 8338
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20615
Johnes Disease- carcase diagnosis within deer slaughter premises
$120,000
Johnes Research Group
Johnes disease is an emerging disease in NZ farmed deer. Many research initiatives are currently being funded covering aspects of vaccination, laboratory testing, and epidemiology. One aspect of research that requires additional investigation is that of developing carcase-side, within deer slaughter premise test for Johnes disease. There are two aspects of this research: 1) Devising harvesting techniques of appropriate blood samples from carcases within deer slaughter premises for antibody testing Johnes disease surveillance. 2) Adapting a "live animal" diagnostic laboratory test (Paralisa) to be applied as a "post mortem" test.
Contact: Adrian Campbell
Telephone: (03) 308 5095
Address: PO Box 161
Ashburton
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20616
Improving the yield and quality of yacon for export
$120,000
Yacon Growers Group
Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a potential new crop for New Zealand. Markets for fresh and processed tubers have been identified overseas. Trials by Crop and Food Research have shown that yacon can be grown in New Zealand and give high yields of good quality tubers in small trial plots. Field scale growing has not achieved commercial yields or quality to date. The aim of this project is to develop commercially viable production and harvesting systems for yacon that yield products suitable for the quality conscious Japanese and Korean markets.
Contact: Scott Lawson
Telephone: (06) 879 9220
Address: 302 Ngatarawa Road
RD 5
Hastings
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20704
Defining links between pasture constituents and ewe flock performance.
$8,000
High Fecundity/High Loss Ewe Flock Group
Aim: To identify ways to increase lamb production from highly fecund ewe flocks. In many New Zealand flocks, scanning percentages of 170% - 200% are now the norm. For a large percentage of of these flocks, increasing the feed supply in late pregnancy to lift production has instead resulted in: increased ewe deaths lowered lamb survival lowered lamb growth rates. The causes of these losses, the composition of the pasture being provided and the health status of late pregnancy ewes may all be linked. This linkage could provide the key to management tools for capturing the full benefits of improved ewe fecundity.
Contact: Ginny Dodunski
Telephone: 0272 31 22 55
Address: 149 Short Road
RD 9
Feilding
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20706
Reducing lamb losses in the NZ Sheep industry by artificial rearing of at-risk-lambs.
$92,250
Poukawa Research Foundation
In recent years scanning and lambing percentages have risen and there are often more lambs being born (particularly triplet lambs and twins in hoggets) than the ewe is capable of rearing. This can result in high mortalities in a commercial situation which are not only a significant economic loss to the farmer but could potentially also jeopardise our sheep farming image. An economically feasible method of successfully rearing surplus lambs is required. Whilst systems have been developed overseas they tend to be subsidy supported, high input systems. Initial work by the project team generated a lot of interest but needs further refinement and development. The present project will undertake independent research aimed at developing a widely adopted, lamb rearing package. The project team has developed and extended information on low-cost calf rearing systems in the past and the application of these concepts could significantly reduce the cost of rearing lambs.
Contact: Dr Paul Muir
Telephone: (060 874 8757
Address: On-Farm Research
PO Box 1142
Hastings
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20707
Investigation of cortisol response to NEWTEK Pacifier
$2,106
Gwyneth Verkerk, Dexcel and NEWTEK Agri
The primary objectives of the project are to: 1) Examine plasma cortisol levels following the administration of a Pacifier device to dairy cows 2) Gain experience in the use of and determine the suitability of the Pacifier device in terms of its impact on animal welfare.
Contact: Gwyneth Verkerk
Telephone: 021 131 8234
Address: C/- Newstead Veterinary Services
Morrinsville Road
RD 4
Hamilton
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20711
Maximising an exotic food opportunity on the East Coast.
$12,181
The Tolaga Bay Walnut Company
The Tolaga Bay Walnut Company is interested in maximising an exotic food opportunity on the East Coast. It produces sweet pickled walnuts and a range of associated products. Reviewing current research, scientific, industry and market data will provide information that will be used in the production, processing and marketing of sweet pickled walnuts. The project aims to create opportunities for rural and Maori landowners in the Tairawhiti region to participate by promoting the growing of walnut trees alongside their current faming and landuse practices. It will also develop market opportunities for a range of sweet pickled walnut products and technology to service the industry.
Contact: Dr Huub Kerckhoffs
Telephone: 06 870 1371
Address: Crop and Food Research Ltd
265 Lawn Road
RD 2
Hastings
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20713
KiwiBerry Crop Protection and Market Access.
$54,563
New Zealand KiwiBerry Growers Incorporated
New Zealand KiwiBerry is a fledgling industry producing small, smooth-skinned kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta ) for export. Achieving access to markets is critical to the growth of the industry. In part one of this project the Group looked toidentify and create a list of pests and diseases that can occur on the fruit at harvest. Such pest lists are required by importing countries to evaluate the risk of accidentally importing unwanted organisms along with the crop. They are also a regulatory requirement that must be met before access to new markets can be granted. In part two of the project data from field studies were to be used to develop a crop protection programme that will allow growers to produce fruit that meets the phytosanitary regulations, customer requirements, and food safety standards of importing countries.
Contact person: Linda Harley
Telephone: 0274 369 134
Address: PO Box 9272
Tauranga
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20714
Growing and harvesting puha (Sonchus oleraceus ) to create \
$54,000
Wahine Whanau Whenua
This study will help the group to learn more about puha and what is required to cultivate it in quantities and to a standard suitable for commercial purposes.
Contact person: Orewa Barrett-Ohia
Telephone: 07 838 5047
Address: 75A East Street
Enderly
Hamilton
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20715
Establishing innovative breeding techniques for introduction of novel nerines to industry.
$42,525
New Zealand Nerine Growers Incorporated
This project will support the New Zealand Nerine Growers Group to develop and introduce new varieties to the international flower export market. Changes in floriculture fashion and market trends necessitate ongoing introduction of new varieties. The ability to grow new varieties with novel characteristics and an extended flowering season will substantially increase grower income. Two important components of the project are (1) on the basis of information from previous projects this research appears to provide the only route to advance breeding of this crop and (2) the collaboration between growers and scientists essential to ensure progress will necessarily result in transfer of knowledge of breeding techniques to the growers involved in the project.
Contact person: Mr Jopie Altenburg
Telephone: 06 326 8588
Address: 96 Stortford Street
Ashhurst
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20716
Improving quality of flowers for export.
$34,744
New Zealand Export Growers of Orchids (NZEGO)
New Zealand cymbidium orchid flowers achieve premium prices on international markets. This project will increase the proportion of high quality flowers produced for export by reducing flower damage by pests and diseases, and reducing fumigations and/or rejection due to the presence of pests on flowers. All growers have access to up-to-date information on pests and disease control through a 'Best Practice Manual" for crop protection of cymbidium orchids and a wall chart to aid problem identification. NZEGO will organise workshops for members to introduce the manuals and wall charts and will consult with members about future assistance required to achieve more high quality flowers.
Contact person: Ian Floyd
Telephone: 09 412 9865
Address: 1167 Coatsville Riverhead Road Highway
Kumeu
Auckland
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20717
Classer Select - Optimising wool production, preparation and classing to maximise wool clip value and farm gate returns.
$58,812
The New Zealand Merino Company
Classer Select is a professional development workshop for registered classers, wool growers and leading wool handlers in the Merino and mid-micron wool industries. The purpose of Classer Select is to continually inform, up-skill and empower those individuals to optimally class, manage and thereby maximise the value of the wool clips they deal with. Classer Select 2007 will build on the success of previous Classer Select events which have been held annually since 2004. Classer Select will include a combination of hands-on practical and plenary sessions. These will feature presentations and demonstrations from wool experts, leading wool classers, international buyers and market representatives in an interactive setting. Additionally an extensive "library" of fleece samples will be developed, displayed and discussed to support the practical work and illustrate particular principles which are important to the processing trade, with respect to raw material or later stage processing performance. Classer Select will also provide the opportunity for less experienced wool classers and individuals considering taking up wool classing, to interact with leading wool classers who will encourage and support them as they start their wool classing careers.
Contact person: Dave Maslen
Telephone: 03 377 7990
Address: PO Box 25 - 160
Christchurch
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20718
Identification and cause of hydrophobic soils in Hawkes Bay
$14,000
Hawkes Bay Mealy Bug Group
A recently completed project identified an association between mealy bug (Balanococcus poae) and "dry-patch syndrome" (DPS). The populations of mealy bug encountered per se were not considered to be wholly commensurate with the significant pasture loss associated with DPS. Measurements and visual observations identified soil water repellency as a likely cause of DPS. The cause of soil water repellency will be investigated by a) determining the soil fungi/disease status at the site and b), the hydrophobicity of the soil will be quantified and the water content and dependency of hydrophobicity characterised as the first step in developing management options. Management techniques required to mitigate DPS will be reviewed.
Contact person: Lochie MacGillivray
Telephone: 06 874 6681
Address: Tawa Hills
RD 12
Havelock North 4294
Date: 22-May-2007
Grant Number: #20724
Pilot plant establishment - fruit and vegetable concentrates from waste
$120,375
Kream (2003) Ltd
Kream (2003) Ltd aims to put in place a pilot plant to process predominantly waste streams of fruit and vegetable crops eg. kiwifruit, avocado, carrots, red beets and possibly organic bovine colostrum into commercial sample quantities of spray-dried powders and flake frozen concentrates. Competitive advantage will be in a superior purity and functional properties plus the retainment of natural nutritional anti-oxidants in the products. Kream is, and will continue to work with an established CRI for fundamental research and Bay of Plenty food processors. Success on the pilot plant will confirm the establishment and viability of a large-scale processing plant.
Contact person: Ron Russell
Telephone: 07 307 7344
Address: PO Box 561
Whakatane
Date: 22-May-2007