Agriculture & Pastoral
New Thinking
The wool sector in 2020
A component of AgResearch’s 2020 Science strategy is to assist with the creation of a viable future New Zealand wool industry. The target is to assist the industry double its value by 2020.
Bumble bees bathed for science
AgResearch scientists at Palmerston North's Grasslands Campus are taking animal cleanliness to new heights by bathing their bumble bees. Watch video. (Note: preceded by short advertisement).
Kudos for science educator
Award-Winning science educator Elizabeth Carpenter of AgResearch says sharing science with the community is ‘a real buzz’.
New tool for better farming
Farmers have welcomed a new computer programme from Crop & Food Research. The LMI predicts the consequences of management decisions on soil quality and future productivity.
Knitting together formula for sheep farmers' prosperity
AgResearch reckons its easy-care sheep will save farmers money.
AgResearch scientists recognised for sheep research
Two Lincoln scientists have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the AGM of the Canterbury Section of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science (NZIAHS).
The future of agriculture: value or volume?
Dr Andrew West, Chief Executive, AgResearch Ltd 'sows the seeds' for an important discussion – should the agriculture sector’s emphasis be on value or on volume?
Newsletter takes cutting-edge science to the classroom
AgResearch has created a Science by Email newsletter to keep secondary school science teachers informed of the cutting-edge scientific advances made at New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institute.
New dairy R&D farm in the Waikato
AgResearch has committed $6 million with the intent to create a new dairy research and development farm in the Waikato, at Tokanui just south of Te Awamutu.
AgResearch to support agritechnology cluster
AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West has announced that the country’s largest Crown Research Institute supported the creation of an international-quality, agritechnology cluster in the Waikato.
New Science
Gorse a potential water pollutant
It's been a thorn in the side of landowners for many years, but now new research from Scion has uncovered another reason to view gorse as a problem weed.
Scientists try new Tb-control ideas
Landcare Research scientists will trial new pest-control methods in Marlborough this spring which may pave the way for a dramatic reduction in 1080-poison use in New Zealand.
Researchers find sustainable varroa solution
New Zealand scientists searching for sustainable, chemical free ways to combat the varroa bee mite say a naturally occurring fungus may be the best solution yet to protecting bees from the destructive pest.
Paying the organic price
A world-first 10-year trial by agricultural science institute AgResearch shows hill-country sheep and beef farmers can make the change to organics without harming animal health.
Kiwi scientists make methane breakthrough
New Zealand scientists have made a breakthrough in methane research which could reduce the amount of gas farm animals produce.
Collaboration key to success for NZ sheep genome researchers
Meat & Wool New Zealand, AgResearch and Ovita today announced that an important phase of an international project to map the sheep genome has taken a big step forward.
Discovering what animals really, really want
In a world first, AgResearch animal welfare scientists have developed a technique that enables them to not only learn what an animal wants, but also what an animal feels.
All sheep-shape as researchers tag DNA
Townies still won't know the difference but AgResearch scientists have found a way to map the genetic code of the average sheep.
AgResearch scientists internationally recognised
A team of AgResearch scientists has been recognised by world renowned magazine ‘Science’ for challenging the centuries’ old model of how fungi grow in grasses.
Science reveals 'Hydrophobic' soils
HortResearch scientists have uncovered the secret behind what farmers call "Dry Patch Syndrome" - soils that just don't like water.
New Value
Facial Eczema DNA test can save dairy industry millions
New Zealand’s leading DNA animal testing service, Genomnz™, a service of AgResearch, is about to launch a DNA testing service for facial eczema (FE) that could save the dairy industry millions of dollars per year.
'Cow bidet' wins 2008 Fieldays award
A drafting and teat spraying system developed by IRL and Rotorua company Technipharm has been awarded Innovation Centre Equipment Entry of the Year at the 2008 Mystery Creek Fieldays.
Unique fabrics showcase NZ agri-science
Project Aho, the premier feature of ‘The Science of Farming’ exhibit at the National Fieldays, is a unique partnership between AgResearch, National Fieldays, University of Waikato and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and presents keynote research, ingenuity and clever marketing – all based on the sheep and the possum.
Maize silage makes the most of dairy effluent
A project in the Waikato, involving a number of partners including scientists from Crop & Food Research, is developing options for dairy farmers concerned about nutrient management.
Horticulture earnings break $5 billion mark
New Zealand's horticulture industry has recorded its highest ever annual returns, with latest figures showing fruit, vegetables, wine and flowers earned a combined $5.2 billion in the year to June 2007. In 2006 the industry earned $4.8b
Nepalese farmers to benefit from New Zealand crop expertise
Staff working within Crop & Food Research's forage breeding programmes are spearheading a new and exciting project to alleviate poverty within farming communities in Nepal.
Organic certification a rarity in New Zealand
The organic certification of AgResearch's Textile Processing Plant has opened the door to the rapidly expanding and highly competitive world of commercial certified organic products.
Dynamic prospect from new fund
Smart, sustainable and high value products for global markets will come from boosting the discovery engine in the pastoral and food sectors, says AgResearch’s Andrew West.
NZ dairy farms losing advantage over EU
New Zealand dairy farms are slipping in terms of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas efficiency, and urgently need to focus on improved farm practices and intensification options to reverse the trend.
Bio-control roll-out gathers steam
Following excellent results from experimental releases at selected sites around the North Island, AgResearch entomologists are busy rearing thousands of parasitised Clover Root weevils for large scale distribution to farmers, thanks to support from DairyNZ and Meat & Wool New Zealand.
