Need for Science Investment Reset
OPINION: New Zealand's prosperity has always been built on farmers and scientists working together to shape our economy.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is on the hunt for research proposals to help improve New Zealand’s reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land uses.
The annual funding round for the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research (GHGIR) fund is now open, with $8.9 million available over the next three years for new GHGIR projected.
The annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory reports on human-induced emissions and removals of greenhouse gases for energy, industrial processes, agriculture, land use, land-use change and forestry, and waste.
Steve Penno, MPI’s director investment programmes, says the GHGIR is focused on improving MPI’s knowledge of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, to ensure the best possible data is available to manage emissions and inform policy decisions.
“This year we’re looking for very specific proposals in 10 priority areas, ranging from modelling variations in dairy cattle body weight to wetland mapping,” Penno says.
“The outcomes will inform MPI’s reporting to the New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Inventory and the United Nations under the Paris Climate Agreement.”
Applications close on 19 July 2023, with successful proposals expected to be announced in October.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.

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