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Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor
The Government is co-investing in a $22 million programme aimed at reducing agricultural greenhouse gases and nitrate leaching, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced.
The Government has committed $7.3 million over the course of seven years to the N-Vision NZ programme through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund, O’Connor says.
He says the programme focuses on three technology streams: N-Retain, N-Test, and N-Bio Boost.
“For our future we need innovative tools and technologies to help farmers reduce nitrogen fertiliser use on pastoral farms while maintaining production and profitability.”
Ravensdown is leading the programme, and will contribute $11 million, with Lincoln University and Plant & Food Research providing research expertise.
Ravensdown and Lincoln University will contribute in-kind funding to the value of $3.8 million.
O’Connor says the products and technologies developed through the N-Vision NZ programme will be made widely available under commercial terms.
“This will ensure that the environmental and economic benefits extend to the whole of New Zealand and not just Ravensdown’s customers,” he says.
“This Government is focussed on helping farmers reduce their environmental footprint.”
O’Connor says the work aligns with the sustainability goals of the Fit for a Better World food and fibre sector roadmap.
“Partnerships like N-Vision NZ will help us meet these goals and maintain our economic strength.
“Finding new methods to take action for the health of our soils, waterways, and climate will pave the way towards a healthier future for us all.”
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.
Hawke's Bay's loss is Canterbury's gain with the opening of a new state-of-the-art soil testing laboratory for the Ravensdown subsidiary ARL (Analytical Research Laboratories) at Rolleston.
Fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown is working on delivering a rebate for its farmer shareholders next year - the first in four years.
Farming is changing fast, and future-focused leaders are needed in New Zealand’s boardrooms.
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Two Waikato dairy farmers and Federated Farmers leaders have thrown their hats in the ring for this year's Waikato Regional Council elections.
Buying a farm is challenging but still achievable according to research recently carried out by Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH).
A world-first public-private joint venture helping farmers cut emissions is set to have the first product from its investment portfolio - a methane-reducing bolus - available for beef farmers early next year.
Donald Trump's uncompromising tariff policy is set to put New Zealand dairy exports to the US under huge pressure.
Two large milk processing plants in New Zealand are changing hands.
Sheep and beef farmers are urging the Government to do more to stop productive farmland overrun by pine trees.
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