MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
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.”
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
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