increase font size
RESEARCH AND Development hubs such as Lincoln, Ruakura and Palmerston North are a great asset but they should have more input from private companies as well as the traditional institutions of the universities and Crown Research Institutes, says Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.
“In my view we should attract private companies onto these campuses as well,” he told an audience of dairy farmers and industry professionals gathered for a focus day on Lincoln University Research Dairy Farm (LURDF).
“That would build a very strong hub.”
In an hour-long visit the Minister gave a brief address to the focus day crowd, plugging the various Government funds going into agricultural research and development, then heard how some of that is being deployed from a string of scientists.
AgResearch science leader Mark Shepherd outlined phase II of the $7.7m/year, 5-year Pastoral 21 project.
“It’s a really good model for how industry and science should work together,” he told the Minister, explaining the cross-industry, cross-sector input into the project.
The project has four work streams: next generation dairy systems; breakthrough technologies in feed; mixed livestock systems; breakthrough technologies in environment.
Shepherd stressed that in dairy it’s about providing “accessible technology” and “not about the complete redesign of systems.”
Out in the paddock the Minister heard about how LURDF is testing high and low stocking rate/input systems.
“We don’t expect the high stocking rate system to come in under the nutrient limits that are likely to be put in place in the future,” said AgResearch’s David Chapman.
The lower stocking rate approach, at 3.5 cows/ha compared to 5.0/ha, with pastures laced with clover, chicory and plantain but using much less nitrogen that the high stocking rate farmlet, had the potential to be “very profitable” while significantly reducing losses, he added.
The focus day crowd later saw data showing the low input farmlet had an operating profit of $4809/ha to the high input’s $4590/ha last season, while Lincoln’s commercially-run, 660-cow demonstration farm made $4850/ha.
Lincoln’s Prof Grant Edwards said the mixed pastures in the low input system could reduce urine nitrogen – the source of most nitrogen losses – “by as much as a third”. They grew just as much dry matter and, as the profit figures suggest, cows were equally, if not more productive off them.
He also touched on how they’re testing species such as Italian Ryegrass as a tool to mop up nitrogen that might otherwise be leached.
Meanwhile Professor of Soil Science, Keith Cameron, demonstrated how lysimeters are used to measure nitrogen losses on the research farm, and how DCD, before it was withdrawn, had been able to reduce that.
“It’s amazing how effective this is at reducing nitrogen leaching,” said Cameron, presenting a graph of losses from pasture with and without DCD applied, prompting the Minister to comment “it’s a massive change, isn’t it.”
The future of New Zealand’s agricultural sector grew a little brighter, with the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) now accepting applications for its scholarships through Lincoln University, offering $10,500 to up to six exceptional students who are poised to become the next leaders in the primary industries.
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
A new report from ASB and Lincoln University shows how smarter, more diverse land use could unlock billions in value for farmers and the wider economy.
Fonterra has invested in a new effluent pond mobile dosing service to support farmers to reduce emissions and make progress towards its on-farm emissions reductions target.
Jonathan Jamieson, a Lincoln University student, has been named as the latest recipient of Ravensdown’s Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship.
OPINION: Public pressure has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.
When I interview Rachel Cox, she is driving - on her way to her next meeting.
With Fonterra's UHT plant at its Edendale site less than a year from completion, demand continues to grow for products the plant will produce, such as Anchor Whipping Cream.
A new $50,000 scholarship fund designed to support and empower women in the New Zealand dairy industry through leadership development has been launched.
Many farmers around the country are taking advantage of the high dairy payout to get maximum production out of their cows.
In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
