Agriculture & Pastoral
New Thinking
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.
NZ research leading to better foods, health
A collaboration between international quality researchers at AgResearch and the Liggins Institute has the potential to bring about major improvements in agriculture, such as lamb growth, disease resistance and milk production, and human health.
Science top of agenda at Fieldays
Tens of thousands of people descended on Mystery Creek in Hamilton on Wednesday to celebrate the farming community's biggest week of the year, Fieldays.
Research helps save lives on NZ farms
New research from Scion into New Zealander’s on-farm handling of quadbikes has revealed how an incompatibility between design and use, plus a tendency for farmers to learn by ‘trial and error’, has turned this common farm vehicle into a $8.3 million annual liability.
Scientists simulate climate of the future
A unique AgResearch experiment that simulates how climate change will affect farming in 25 years time is now the longest running trial of its kind in the world.
Research expert to head Tatua
HortResearch chief executive Paul McGilvary has been appointed as chief executive at Tatua Co-operative Dairy.
Animal agriculture's future - value or volume?
Trans-Tasman partners, New Zealand’s AgResearch and Australia’s CSIRO Livestock Industries (CLI) are holding a major industry and scientific conference later this year to examine the commercial future for high value food and fibre products from the farm.
TransTasman scientists study livestock methane
AgResearch and Australian scientists will jointly investigate ways of reducing the impact of livestock methane emissions by finding out more about the digestive processes in the rumen of livestock.
Selenium-enriched milk straight from the cow
AgResearch scientists have found ways to significantly boost the selenium content of meat and milk on-farm - directly improving foods and ingredients without the need for additives.
New centres to feed appetite for value-added food
AgResearch is hoping to collaboratively establish three national food research centres that will accelerate the development and commercialisation of high-value food technologies and products.
New Science
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 sulphur test more accurate and simple
A new sulphur soil test developed by AgResearch gives farmers a highly accurate picture of how much sulphur fertiliser their soil needs and makes scientific analysis easier.
Scientists get in touch with cows' emotions
AgResearch scientists have devised a method to find out what a cow needs and wants by making them work for food and shelter.
Weevil bio-control gains toe-hold in top of South Island
The parasitoid bio-control for the clover root weevil has rapidly gained a toe-hold in Nelson says AgResearch clover root weevil programme leader for the South Island Dr Craig Phillips.
No more free lunch for caterpillars
Crop and Food Research is seeking permission to trial caterpillar resistant cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and forage kale.
Hairy roots for production of valuable molecules
AgResearch Lincoln scientists have come up with a novel way of producing valuable plant chemicals that have a wide range of uses.
Unravelling the secrets of parasites
The Hair Worm (Trichostrongylus colubriformis) parasite may be microscopic but its impact on the New Zealand sheep industry is substantial.
Weed enemy makes national debut
A South African moth that just loves boneseed, an invasive pest plant, has been selected by Landcare Research to act as a biocontrol agent. Waiheke Island is the first battlefield in the national campaign.
World firsts for Pastoral Genomics consortium
Scientists have identified a close relative of white clover with a much simpler genetic make-up, ultimately making it easier to find ways of improving forages.
Researcher chosen for neuroscience course
AgResearch PhD student Wendy Imlach is one of four young New Zealand scientists chosen to attend this year's prestigious Australian Course in Advanced Neuroscience (ACAN).
New Value
Win-win as odour control enables biogas capture
A NIWA-designed pond cover for a piggery not only stops the pong but also captures methane.
New business generated through trans-Tasman scientific collaboration
New Zealand and Australian scientists are delighted with the amount of business likely to be generated out of the AUSGRAINZ collaboration between CSIRO Plant Industry and Crop & Food Research.
Improved pest controls
Crop & Food Research is assisting a group of Canterbury farmers encourage uptake of improved methods for controlling crop pests. The project has financial support from MAF's Sustainable Farming Fund.
Beetles released to control thistles
Landcare Research scientists have released an American beetle as a bio-control for Californian thistles, a major agricultural pest.
2008 declared International Year of the Potato by UN
As the United Nations declares 2008 the International Year of the Potato, Crop & Food Research scientists are striving to breed healthier and longer lasting potatoes for world consumption.
Organic food industry revived on East Coast, North Island
Crop & Food Research scientists are helping organic growers to expand their businesses and to build on strong cropping traditions.
A versatile tool for better potato management
A potato calculator that matches nitrogen fertiliser to crop demand and reduces leaching has been developed with funding from Horticulture NZ Potato Product Group and Ballance Agri Nutrients.
Local release of boneseed predator
The boneseed leafroller caterpillar has been released at Diamond Harbour on Banks Peninsular by staff from Landcare Research, to help control the pest plant boneseed.
Irish wasp hammers Hawke's Bay weevils
Delegates to the 60th Annual Conference of the New Zealand Plant Protection Society Conference in Napier were told of the ‘astounding’ success of an introduced biocontrol for the Clover Root Weevil.
Farmers set to benefit from ewe efficiency project
AgResearch Senior Scientist Dr Robyn Dynes says flock efficiency is critical to the bottom line of sheep farmers and this is why they will benefit from attending upcoming FlockMaster™ workshops.
