A new genetic tool that could be as revolutionary for sheep breeding as computer technology has been, should be available to farmers from early next year. SNP Chips was the result of genetic sequencing of the sheep genome and allowed researchers to understand the effects of small genes rather than just the large genes currently possible reports The ODT. “It allows you to get better predictions of what the actual worth of an animal is,” AgResearch Invermay senior animal genomics scientist John McEwan said. Cumulatively, small genes could add up to 50% to 95% of genetic variation between animals, he said.

In the dairy industry, the two large artificial insemination companies – LIC and CRV Ambreed New Zealand – had already adopted SNP Chips, but Mr McEwan said sheep farmers in general wanted to see how others adapted it. Historically, each of the top 40 bulls used in artificial insemination programmes would have be rated following testing of 80 to 100 daughters, by which stage the average age of each sire was five years.

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A new focus farm programme for Southland’s deer industry is being established to try to increase productivity through the transfer of new technology says The Southland Times. Led by a Deer Industry NZ Southland branch steering committee, the joint project will develop a three year focus farm programme with the theme “more calves, heavier and earlier”.

Deer Industry NZ has developed the programme with New Zealand Deer Farmers’ Association, Landcorp Farming and Meat & Wool NZ. Steering committee chairman Craig North said the aim was to transfer new technology and knowledge to farmers. “There’s been a lot of good research done in the past so it’s to try and showcase what the top 10 per cent are doing and try to get some farmers to pick up some ideas and see if they can improve their productivity.”

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For many farmers, keeping lambs confined to a paddock before weaning can be an achievement.
But AgResearch scientist Ray Moss is advocating utilising the natural inquisitiveness of what farmers sometimes call “damn pokers” to boost weaning weights – a management system he calls creep grazing.

Creep grazing involves simply replacing a stock-proof paddock gate with one with vertical bars that allow lambs, but not ewes, to pass and access higher-quality feed in the next paddock in the rotation. He said creep grazing should start when lambs were about 7 weeks of age and when feed was not in abundance reports The ODT. Trials have shown weaning weights could be boosted by between 1kg and 4kg.

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Scientists have proven not all sheep are created equal, at least when it comes to belching greenhouse gases. Researchers working for a Government partnership with the farming industry have discovered that some sheep naturally make less methane digesting their food than others – potentially opening the way for a low-methane breeding programme reports The NZ Herald.

When fed grass, the difference in emissions between a low-methane flock and a high-methane flock was about 20 per cent. The difference varied depending on what the sheep ate – but it was always there. “For the first time we have opened up the possibility we could breed animals with lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said Harry Clark, the scientist heading the study at Agresearch. “We definitely lead the world in this.”

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Today AgResearch and Lincoln University announced their intent to develop a formal joint venture to secure many of the benefits identified in their previously proposed merger reports Scoop. “We will provide significant, additional benefits to farmers and food and textiles companies through a tight collaboration” says Professor Roger Field, Vice Chancellor of Lincoln University. “Through this collaboration we will explore a much greater contribution by AgResearch into education and PhD supervision, and a more integrated approach to extension education and technology adoption. Lincoln University will utilise AgResearch’s facilities in the North and South Islands to expand its current reach and capacity into the land-based sector”. 

 “This is an important collaboration for the whole pastoral foods and textiles value chains”says Dr Andrew West. “AgResearch is the most integrated pastoral sector research organisation in the world, with 600 scientists and technicians, 13 research farms and four major campuses dedicated solely – absolutely solely – to pastoral farming, dairy and red-meat food companies and woollen textiles companies, and all associated industries. This collaboration with Lincoln University will supplement those we have with The University of Otago in livestock physiology and in food, with The University of Auckland in food, with Waikato University in agritechnology and food processing technologies, and with Massey University in livestock health, in animal welfare and in food”.

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The OVERSEER® Nutrient Budgets Model today entered a new phase of development, with the appointment of a lead science provider and the start of a significant enhancement programme. The model is a decision making tool that allows farmers, growers and their advisers to examine nutrient use and flows within a farm to optimise efficiency of use and reduce environmental impacts. Owners the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), AgResearch and Fert Research have completed the Government tender process and appointed a lead science provider for the four-year, $4 million programme to develop Overseer.

A proposal submitted by AgResearch and supported by partners Massey University and IT company Rezare Limited was the successful bid. The Overseer owners will now begin implementation of their 10-year strategic plan which includes the goals of improving the performance of the model, improving its accessibility and usability, and adding new features. MAF and Fert Research will each contribute $500,000 per year for four years, for the ongoing development and maintenance of the model.

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Economic reality has killed off the proposed merger between Lincoln University and AgResearch that proponents claimed would have created one of the best land-based universities in the world reports The Straight Furrow. The euphoria that surrounded the radical proposal for a full merger three months ago has now dissipated into talk of a partnership on an issue by issue basis. Under the original proposal AgResearch would most likely have gone out of existence and become part of an enlarged Lincoln University. Many AgResearch staff would have undertaken teaching roles at the university.

AgResearch chairman Sam Robinson, a Waipukurau sheep and beef farmer, said the original concept was “really fantastic’’. “But when we sat down and did the hard work with the executives and scientists in both organisations, assisted by external consultants we identified a lot of costs we hadn’t fully understood in the first look at it.’’He said they also found many of the benefits of joining the two organisations could be achieved without going through with the full merger. They could be achieved by working together on a case by case basis. Mr Robinson said the Crown had been supportive of the proposal, but made it clear no Crown funding would be available.

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AgResearch’s new dairy research and development farm provides a vital facility to trial leading-edge technology and novel farming practices to help the dairy industry meet today’s challenges, and grow the sector. Based on commercially credible farming practices, Tokanui Dairy Research Farm, just south of Te Awamutu in the Waikato, is now up and running and on track to commence milking in August. AgResearch has spent $6.5 million over the last year converting its 340 ha Tokanui beef finishing operation into a dairy farm.

The farm will comprise a milking platform of approximately 200 ha which will initially run 800 cows. It will provide a large herd context for research and development, with the remaining 140 ha used as a support block. Tokanui’s primary objective is to operate a research and development dairy farm, based on commercially sound practices, to address research directed by Goal 1 of AgResearch’s 2020 Science strategy. This will include research and development in environmental management, productivity gains and differentiated milks.

In recognition that the farm will be a focal point for environmental research, much work has gone into establishing baseline environmental data of land, soil and water status prior to the conversion. Developed with guidance from Environment Waikato, The Whole Farm Plan provides a benchmark of resources to assess whether farm management practices have improved – or worsened – the environmental impact of modern farming. AgResearch has also been working closely with Environment Waikato on stream and wetland protection and enhancement.  (more…)

Three months of investigation by CRI AgResearch and Lincoln University have identified that a partnership model would be preferable to a full amalgamation as it will be more cost effective and still achieve significant benefits for NZ. The two organisations will remain separate entities but focus on working much more closely together on a range of partnership initiatives. AgResearch and Lincoln University announced in March a combined consultative approach to investigate how they could work more closely to develop land-based research and education through investigating the option of a merger. The two organisations worked closely and effectively in identifying the opportunities a new entity might deliver and during this process it became clear the significant benefits to NZ could be most cost effectively delivered from a partnership rather than an amalgamation.

A number of synergies and benefits of closer collaboration between the two organisations have been identified through the investigation process and it has been agreed to pursue a substantial partnership, the form of which will be agreed in the near future.  AgResearch Chairman Sam Robinson says the joint investigation of the benefits of Lincoln University and AgResearch working together has produced a better understanding of the respective capabilities, strengths and expertise of the two organisations.

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Southern farmers farmers need to prepare to live with the clover root weevil (CRW) as it is only a matter of time before it becomes well established reports The ODT. The weevil had been found in Clinton and was established throughout much of the South Island, but Environment Southland biosecurity manager Richard Bowman said it would be established in Southland within a year. Mr Bowman told an Environment Southland field day in Gore last week that southern farmers needed to start looking for tell-tale signs the weevil was present.

That included notches in clover leaves the size of a match head, and declining health in clover crops. Once established, the pest could build to densities of up to 1400 larvae per sq m. Clover damage started occurring at 300 larvae per sq m, which was a more typical infestation. The weevil could result in loss of available plant nitrogen of up to 300kg per hectare per year.

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