Early Bird I Monday July 29th 2024

Agricultural emissions research takes a funding hit, multi-million dollar plantain project under scrutiny, and champion racers team up to enhance farm safety. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Agricultural emissions research takes a funding hit Treasury documents reveal a $48 million reduction in funding for a research initiative aimed at helping farmers lower agricultural emissions. This cut affects the Accelerating New Mitigations Programme, originally established to advance tools and technology for reducing on-farm emissions. The programme, initiated in 2022, has undergone two rounds of cuts. The previous Labour administration reduced it by $30 million in August 2023, followed by an additional $48 million cut in this year's Budget under the current government. The fund now stands at $419 million. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts had highlighted the government's dedication to this fund when discussing the decision to delay agriculture's entry into the Emissions Trading Scheme. This move has drawn criticism, given that methane and nitrous oxide from dairy, beef, and sheep account for nearly half of the country's emissions. Farmers argue they lack access to climate-friendly alternatives compared to other industries. Minister Watts has emphasised a "technology-led approach" to tackling agricultural emissions, stating that solutions would arise from innovation. Despite overall reductions, the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre in Palmerston North received an increase of $50.5 million over five years. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay clarified that this additional funding was reallocated from within the existing $400 million fund. The centre leads high-profile agricultural climate research, including the development of a methane-reducing vaccine for dairy cows. Such breakthroughs could significantly aid New Zealand in meeting its emissions targets. Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick has questioned the government's claims, noting that the fund was initially committed to under the previous government and has since been reduced. She argues that while research investment is crucial, immediate action on known solutions is equally important. Multi-million dollar plantain project under scrutiny A scientific review has cast doubt on research at the centre of a major plantain project aimed at reducing nitrate levels in dairy farming. The New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research has released a review of 15 years of plantain research, challenging key assumptions about the plant's effectiveness. The review, authored by experts including Dr Tony Connor of Lincoln Genetics and DairyNZ director Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, questions aspects of plantain's ability to absorb nitrates and mitigate losses. It suggests other plant species may be more worthy of research attention. This development comes as the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures plantain project reaches its midway point, having used $12.6 million of its $22 million budget. The initiative, launched in 2021, aims to enhance waterway quality and reduce nitrate losses. DairyNZ scientists have defended their focus on plantain, stating that earlier evidence indicated its high potential across multiple nitrate reduction mechanisms. They acknowledge challenges in maintaining plantain in established pastures but argue that partner farmers are demonstrating successful integration into their systems. The review also challenges the long-held benchmark of dairy cow urine nitrogen concentration, suggesting it may be significantly lower than previously thought. DairyNZ contests this point, calling it a "red herring" based on limited data. The Ministry for Primary Industries confirmed an ongoing independent mid-term review of the programme. Marlborough leads the way with advanced viticultural research An innovative research vineyard in Blenheim is set to chart the course for New Zealand's wine industry as it adapts to climate change and evolving consumer demands. The facility, named Te Whenua Tupu or the Living Lab, features a 600-square-metre building with retractable clear walls and roof. John Patterson, Marlborough Research Centre chief executive, says the new facility will concentrate on sustainability, climate resilience, and carbon management. The controlled environment allows researchers to manipulate growing conditions, offering insights into grape cultivation under various scenarios. Damian Martin from Plant and Food Research highlights the significance of this work. He notes that climate change will introduce new challenges to wine production, including warmer days and increased threats from insects and diseases. The Living Lab will enable the development of strategies to maintain excellent grape quality while meeting environmental and economic requirements. The facility, located at the New Zealand Wine Centre on the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology campus, will host studies on deep soil growing and sustainable viticulture. Its unique design allows scientists to control environmental factors such as rain and hail. Mark Patterson, NZ First MP and associate minister for regional development, emphasised the vineyard's role in safeguarding the nation's $2.4 billion annual wine export industry. Marlborough, which accounts for 80% of the country's wine exports, stands to benefit significantly from this research. The Living Lab received funding from various sources, including $750,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund and $1.5 million from NMIT. An adjacent classroom will facilitate collaboration between students and scientists, ensuring knowledge transfer to the next generation of wine industry professionals. Champion racers team up to enhance farm safety New Zealand's national enduro women's champion Kylie Dorr, is heading to Spain this October for the International Six Days of Enduro. To fund their journey, Dorr and her teammates have devised an innovative approach: offering farm bike safety courses for agricultural workers. In a mere 18 months, Dorr has transformed her hobby into a chance at the world's largest annual off-road motorcycle competition. Now, she's melding her racing expertise with her agricultural background to benefit the farming community while raising funds. The courses, a collaboration with Agricademy, aim to enhance farm safety by teaching workers to navigate common hazards such as creek crossings and irrigation drains. Dorr highlights that the training focuses on control and technique rather than speed. She sees a trend of newcomers to farming lacking the bike-handling skills that those raised on farms naturally developed. These courses are designed to address that gap. The team includes Rachel Archer, the United States number one; Wil Yeoman, Taupo's national cross-country champion; and James Scott, a sheep and beef farmer who's a national champion across disciplines. Dorr, who manages an artificial insemination and pregnancy scanning business, attributes New Zealand's high number of world-class riders to our rural background. The team hopes their initiative will not only fund their trip but also help future generations of Kiwi riders reach the world stage. With each rider needing between $30,000 and $40,000 for the Spanish event, the team encourages farmers to enroll in these potentially life-saving courses. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement: enhancing farm safety while supporting New Zealand's top enduro talent on the global stage. Conservation and recreation meet in wild goat hunt The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition is set to begin, offering hunters a chance to win $70,000 in prizes while aiding conservation efforts and supporting farmers. Running from August 1 to November 26, the event is backed by Federated Farmers, Hunting & Fishing NZ, and Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority. Last year's inaugural competition saw nearly 700 hunters remove over 10,000 wild goats. The Department of Conservation's Ben Reddiex highlights the event's role in reducing pressure on native ecosystems and farmlands. Wild goats threaten native plant life by consuming seedlings and altering forest understory. They also contribute to erosion and can damage farmers' restoration efforts. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says that one wild goat consumes as much as one sheep, while a deer equals two adult sheep or a yearling heifer in feed consumption. This presents a significant challenge for sheep and beef farmers already facing mounting costs. The competition offers various prizes, including a wild game banquet, hunting gear, guided hunts, and personal locator beacons. It aims to combine recreational hunting with practical pest control, benefiting both the environment and agricultural sectors.   ISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.