A central North Island Māori trust is partnering with geothermal experts and New Zealand scientists in a world-first project to develop livestock feed from geothermal gases.

Funding of nearly $5 million from Tauhara North No 2 Trust and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will support Rotorua-based Upflow and partners to progress laboratory-scale research that has shown how two microorganisms – a bacterium and an algae – can be used together to convert carbon dioxide and methane into a protein-rich biomass.

This biomass is created when microorganisms feed off greenhouse gas emissions captured from geothermal power stations, such as those used to generate electricity in the central North Island. The biomass produced is made up of several potentially commercially valuable components, including protein for animal feed.

The four-year research project will be the first in the world to pioneer biomass feedstock production from gases and robust microorganisms that thrive in the extreme conditions found at geothermal sites.

Tauhara North No 2 Trust has significant investments in geothermal assets at the Rotokawa geothermal reservoir and is seeking more than financial outcomes. 

“Having geothermal assets in our rohe (region) gives us the opportunity to unlock potential new industries and leverage our existing knowledge to create new jobs and revenue for mana whenua and regional communities,” said Trust group chief executive Mana Newton.

Geothermal consultancy Upflow is the delivery partner for the project, providing leadership and expertise, partnering with researchers from Crown Research Institute Scion, the University of Canterbury and algae experts from Cawthron Institute.

Early-stage research looks promising. 

Industrial biotechnology processes were jointly developed by University of Canterbury researchers, Scion’s biotechnology team and Tauhara North No 2 Trust. The technology uses a methane-eating bacterium, and a carbon dioxide-eating microalgae to capture the gases and use them as a food source for growth.

This process generates a biomass rich in protein, which is being explored as an animal feed ingredient, use for human nutrition, or to produce high-value nutraceuticals or pigments. The initial focus is on the protein component to benefit New Zealand’s primary industry, while also investigating the potential for premium products.

The MPI’s investment of $2.49m in the project comes from the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund. 

The MPI’s director of investment programmes Steve Penno said it is an exciting project.

 “If successful, this could be the start of a new biomass feedstock manufacturing industry for New Zealand, worth an estimated $500m per annum by 2045, creating new skilled jobs.

 “It would reduce our reliance on imported livestock feed, and decarbonise these industries, while also reducing the cost of carbon emissions for geothermal companies that adopt the system.”

 According to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, as a nation of 5 million people, New Zealand feeds an estimated 40 million people worldwide.

 “We’re looking to futureproof this legacy by providing a decarbonised food production option using Aotearoa’s abundant geothermal resources. We’re making animal feed from greenhouse gases,” said Andy Blair, director of business and innovation at Upflow.

Over the next four years, Upflow will work with researchers to progress development of the technology from its satellite office on Scion’s campus in Rotorua.

 Only small quantities of the biomass have been cultivated and tested so far from pure gases. In the next step, scientists will support Upflow to plan and build a pilot-scale facility. This will aid the transition of fermentation conditions to real geothermal gases to generate yields at pilot scale (1000 litres). 

 More work will determine markets for the biomass, including agriculture, aquaculture and the potential for human nutrition.

 Inghams Enterprises NZ is a keystone industry partner in the project, bringing insights to navigate its animal feed market spaces.

 Scion’s portfolio leader for distributed and circular manufacturing Marc Gaugler said the groundwork was a collaboration through the cultivation of specific bacterial strains at Scion and algal strains at the University of Canterbury.

 “With our research colleagues and Upflow, we look forward to seeing this novel technology contribute to regional economic development, create new value from waste and benefit the geothermal sector by helping it decarbonise.”

 Blair said the project is an example of visionary individuals and organisations taking a risk and coming together to incubate an emerging New Zealand-led scientific discovery.

 “Many great research ideas struggle to find real-world application, and to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale concept and application at scale. We’re giving this technology the time and support it needs to be shaped for commercial reality.”

The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking 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 $2.9 million of funding available for new projects in the 2024/25 financial year.

“The GHGIR focuses on improving our knowledge of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions, to ensure we have the best possible data to help manage New Zealand’s emissions and inform policy decisions,” said the MPI’s director of programmes and planning, policy and trade, Stephanie Preston.

“This year we’re looking for very specific research proposals in 10 priority areas, ranging from improving liveweight estimation of sheep and beef to exploring remote sensing methods of collecting data, such as using satellite data to measure feed type and quality.

“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  October 30 2024, with successful proposals expected to be announced by the end of February 2025.

The New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and AgriZeroNZ are backing biotech venture Lucidome Bio with funding as it spearheads the next phase in research to create a methane vaccine.

AgriZeroNZ is providing $8.5 million and the NZAGRC $5m to Lucidome Bio. The company’s interim chief executive, David Aitken, said the funding will allow them to build the team, carry out field trials in animals and progress development of the vaccine for farmers.

Lucidome Bio builds on research led by AgResearch’s team of globally renowned immunologists and microbiologists.

It was established by AgriZeroNZ to bring together New Zealand’s vaccine technology, intellectual property, team and funding into a compelling, investible entity and help deliver a world-first solution to market.

Prior to this, the research had received support and funding from multiple organisations including the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium and the New Zealand government (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment; Ministry for Primary Industries) through the NZAGRC.

AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee said a vaccine that reduces methane from ruminant animals would be a transformational tool for the agricultural sector “as it’s a low cost, high-impact solution which has the potential to be adopted into all farming systems”.

“We’re really pleased to be backing Lucidome Bio, alongside the NZAGRC, in a shared effort to get a vaccine to farmers sooner,” said McNee.

A successful vaccine would trigger an animal’s immune system to generate antibodies in saliva that suppress the growth and function of methane-producing microbes (methanogens) in the rumen, significantly reducing the quantity of the potent greenhouse gas it burps out.

NZAGRC executive director Naomi Parker said the reliance on antibody production in saliva and the complex nature of the rumen make the work incredibly challenging, however the progress to date gives confidence it can achieve success.

“We’re proud to be long-standing supporters of this work and help Lucidome Bio achieve a world-first by turning the vaccine’s research legacy into a safe and effective tool for farmers.

“This is no easy task, but the research team has made significant progress over the years and achieved many groundbreaking advancements which provide critical foundations to support future success.”

AgResearch will continue to be a partner, providing scientists to Lucidome Bio as well as access to research facilities. The Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium also remains a shareholder alongside AgriZeroNZ.

The funding follows the announcement in August from the Bezos Earth Fund to provide US$9.4m ($15m) for an international consortium to build scientific evidence for a methane vaccine. 

Led by researchers at the Pirbright Institute and the Royal Veterinary College, the AgResearch scientists (now seconded to Lucidome Bio) will provide expertise in rumen microbiology and immunology.

In Focus Podcast | Sheep outlook: the future of our flock

Sheep farmers are doing it tough right now, with farmgate returns dropping back after a few good years and input costs rising. Add to that the march of pine trees across the land, and there’s talk of an existential crisis. Bryan asked AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad to give him the lay of the land and asked her what the sector needed to do to find prosperity again.

A new, rapid and cost-effective test for bovine tuberculosis being developed by Otago University could cut diagnosis times from 72 hours to about an hour.

The three-year project has just received $1 million in funding in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s latest Endeavour Fund investment round.

Tb is caused by Mycobacterium bovis and is a highly infectious livestock disease that costs Aotearoa’s primary sector $160 million a year. 

Otago University Rutherford Discovery Fellow at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr Htin Lin Aung, said the current testing regime for Tb requires a 72-hour turnaround, specialist equipment, skilled staff and laboratory infrastructure, which prevents diagnosis of the disease on farm and leaves infected animals in their herds while the results are pending.

He hopes the new test will reduce that time to one hour.

“This is a very lengthy process if you are the one doing the test or if you are the farmer waiting for the result,” Aung said.

It would also eliminate the need for skin tests, which can produce false-positive and false-negative tests, and the blood test, which confirms if the animal has Tb or not.

“I think it could be a game-changer because our test will be very quick, and it doesn’t have to be a vet or a skilled technician – farmers can do it as well.”

The test will also be non-invasive with no blood samples taken or injections, which the current testing system relies on.

Aung said they hope the test they develop will be similar to how people tested themselves for covid-19, which used a nasal swab, but based on a different technology.

Business development manager and patent attorney Tomas Ribeiro said that as well as providing farmers with a much faster diagnosis, it will be better for animal welfare.

“If you have a positive test in a large herd and you have to wait three to four days to get that result back, you have to cull the entire herd.”

A quick diagnostic test would allow the farmer to quickly separate those that test positive and those that are negative, and prevent the mass culling of herds, he said.

“There’s a massive economic benefit and there’s a massive animal welfare benefit.”

Aung said they will be working closely with stakeholders over the next three years as the test is developed and moves into the trialling stage.

It could also be used overseas to fight Tb and could serve as a platform technology for the detection of other pathogens in animals as well as humans.

“It has a lot of potential and we’re very excited by it.”

While it is a three-year project, the science behind it is well developed and the team is optimistic a prototype could be ready in 18 months.

Farmers are being encouraged to join the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Poo study, a crucial part of the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts programme ahead of the new season.

About 200 farmers have already signed up for the study, but more are needed. Farmers do not need to have had facial eczema (FE) on their farms to take part.

Dr Suzi Keeling, BLNZ sector science strategy manager, said the work will build greater knowledge of the extent of FE throughout New Zealand and the potential impact of a changing climate on the disease.

“We need 350 farmers, 22 each from 16 regions around New Zealand to join the programme,” said Keeling.

“It’s very straightforward and just involves collecting some sheep poo samples fortnightly from October-May. BLNZ covers the cost of the sampling kits and the return packaging.

“Greater knowledge about the prevalence of FE spores throughout New Zealand is important for developing tools to help farmers mitigate the impacts of the disease.”

Researchers will analyse the sheep poo samples to see if they contain the fungal spores associated with FE, which indicates the risk of FE on the farm. Farmers will receive free FE spore counts over the season, access to an online map showing results and opportunities to network with other farmers.

 Paul Crick, chair of BLNZ’s Farmer Research Advisory Group, is taking part in the study on his Wairarapa farm.

 “Facial eczema is a growing challenge for many farmers. Being part of the Sheep Poo study is a practical way to contribute to critical research that aims to eliminate the impact of FE in New Zealand.”

 The disease, associated with a toxin-producing fungus, affects pasture-grazing livestock and there is no cure. The toxin can cause permanent liver damage resulting in reduced fertility, weight loss, slowed growth, photosensitivity and sunburn. If the animal survives, its production will be limited for life. BLNZ estimates FE costs the New Zealand economy around $332 million every year.

Farmers can register their interest in participating in the Sheep Poo study by October 4.

New government funding of $3 million will enable AgResearch scientists to explore new ways to tackle industry challenges such as plant disease and reducing environmental impacts.

The three Smart Idea grants are from the government’s 2024 Endeavour Fund, announced by Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins. The Endeavour Fund is aimed at supporting excellent research that pushes boundaries and deliver results to positively transform New Zealand’s economy, environment and society.

The three AgResearch projects to receive funding feature research using technology known as RNAi to control fungal diseases threatening plants and animals, nanofertilisers to reduce pollution from nitrogen loss, and development of new generation biomaterials from protein.

AgResearch chief scientist Axel Heiser said it is always exciting to see the bright ideas of scientists getting the support to test them out.

 “I think we all recognise now that given the challenges our primary industries are facing, a business-as-usual approach isn’t going to be enough. Investing into research that explores new approaches to long-running problems is critical, and the payoff over time can be significant.”

The successful AgResearch projects are:

 • Superior protein biocomposites through tailored gradients of nature-inspired microstructure ($1m)

 Protein is commonly know as something we eat, but in nature it is used for a diversity of hard, soft and elastic structures. For example, cat claws, spider silk, our nails and our hair are all protein. What makes silk elastic or claws sharp lies in how proteins are ordered at both molecular and microscopic scales, and like nesting dolls, these materials contain hierarchical layers of order.

 In this Smart Idea project, the aim is to design a new generation of custom-made biomaterials inspired by the way that nature optimally organises proteins at a microscopic level as a material forms. Natural control of microscopic structure of protein materials allow AgResearch to make tailored biomaterials that are flexible, stiff or have gradients of effect, like in-built hinges. Products made this new way will be environmentally friendly and sustainable compared to the material they will replace (largely plastics). Not only are protein materials safely compostable (no microplastics) but they are also recyclable. 

Compared to other green alternatives, such as paper, products made from these next-generation materials will inherit the unique combinations of natural benefits brought by proteins, such as fire retardancy, breathability and odour absorption. 

 • Silencing fungal diseases: unlocking RNAi as novel tool to control Agricultural Pathogens ($999,999.96)

Globally, fungi pose a significant threat to animal and plant species, causing 65% of pathogen-driven host losses. The estimated annual global economic burden of fungal crop diseases is roughly US$200 billion (about $324bn), whereas in farm animals it is poorly reported globally. 

For instance, Pithomyces chartarum, the causal organism of facial eczema (FE), costs  $332m a year in New Zealand. Traditional agriculture heavily relies on chemical agents to combat fungal pathogens, but this approach harms the environment. 

AgResearch proposes employing RNAi technology to create environmentally friendly double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules targeting virulence genes in Pithomyces chartarum. 

This research will yield new knowledge, IP, and technologies that enhance animal production systems, promote chemical-free practices and improve animal welfare, while bolstering global confidence in NZ’s animal products. 

It will support the globally recognised team in developing RNAi therapeutics and technology platforms for emerging agricultural applications. The enhanced detection capabilities will substantially reduce costs and enhance existing Pithomyces chartarum forecasting systems, thereby safeguarding NZ’s pasture and farm animals.

• Foliar nitrogen nanofertilizers (Nnf), increasing nitrogen use efficiency and reducing environmental pollution ($999,999)

The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of dairy grazing NZ systems using a novel approach targeted to increase the efficiency of nitrogen delivery to plants. 

The team will combine nanotechnology, engineering, environmental and agronomic evaluations to assess the effectiveness and direct impact of the proposal. 

New research says that having women at the board table helps implement effective governance systems, enhances collaboration, inspires organisational dedication and improves fairness in the workplace.

According to a study report by a group of Lincoln University academics, female leaders help increase productivity and are vital for instilling confidence and protecting shareholder interests. 

Bringing greater diversity to corporate boardrooms has been a focus in parts of the world with regulatory reforms on promoting female directorships highlighting new evidence coming out the United Kingdom that female directors positively impact business investment decisions.

The report authored by three Lincoln University academics demonstrates to regulators, policymakers and stakeholders that appointing women to boards helps implement effective governance systems. 

The report, by Dr Sanaullah Farooq, Dr Muhammad Nadeem and Professor Christoper Gan from Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University, examines the link between boardroom gender diversity and investment inefficiency.

Taking a sample of UK businesses from 2005 to 2018, researchers examined the impact of female directors on the efficiency of capital investments.

“Important discussions take place on boards; diversity brings a range of perspectives and talent that synergises the board, leading to more well-rounded decisions,” Farooq said.

“There needs to be a raised awareness of giving women a fair shot at landing a seat on a board of directors.

“From our findings and others published, female directors encourage better business performance and governance, are less tolerant of poor managerial performance, make better investment decisions and are more transparent in disclosing information. 

“Research suggests that women in management minimise corporate risks and improve corporate social responsibility.”

Following regulatory reforms in the UK to increase female representation on corporate boards, the study found that gender-diverse boards strengthen the financial monitoring of a business, improving decision-making, resulting in less under and over-investment.

Female directors improve the efficiency of capital investments through three channels, board dynamics, stewardship effect and information environment. 

The dynamics of a board improve with female directors’ active participation in activities such as meetings and governance sub-committees where they seek discussion and clarity on the viability and rationality of investments.

“Forging productive relationships within a business sees female directors help align a chief executive officer’s interest with a business and by doing so, helps mitigate inefficient investment decisions.” 

Female directors help create information-rich environments that raise confidence with stakeholders on the availability of profitable investments, resulting in the supply of capital being eased, Farooq said.

The study also found that corporate boards with three or more female directors have a more significant and positive influence on investment decisions because the women have a greater voice at the board table.

“By achieving critical mass, female directors can change boardroom dynamics and encourage policymaking. 

“So, rather than tick-box compliance, aim to have three or more female directors for a more pronounced effect on financial decision-making.”  

The study suggests promoting greater gender representation can be adopted across other countries, including New Zealand, and beyond corporate entities.

Similar findings are expected in non-listed organisations. 

“Decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration and inspire organisational dedication and improve fairness in the workplace. 

“This is why legislation encouraging female representation at board level should be encouraged.” 

Crops were grown successfully across 34 sites that suffered serious silt incursion during Cyclone Gabrielle, a study shows.

Hawke’s Bay researcher Alan Kale, who worked with colleague Diana Mathers, said the study was aimed at growers to support their recovery and that of the land impacted by silt.

“We found that land covered by sludgy clay-based silt could grow good vegetable and arable crops in the next season, with minimal additional effort. 

“However, the story was considerably different for land covered by sandy silt. Crops grown on this land did not thrive,” Kale said.

The study looked at the recovery of silt-covered land at 34 different sites in Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa. 

The study was managed by the Foundation for Arable Research with funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries, North Island Weather Event Fund and Vegetable Research and Innovation. 

Kale said initial conclusions from the study showed cropping on silted sites in the Heretaunga Plains was very successful.

No extra pest and disease inputs were required. 

Some fields had an extra side dress applied, otherwise fertiliser practice was as normal.

Most sites grew and produced crops at or above normal pre-cyclone levels, and current season non-silt crops.

Generally, growers were comfortable to return to normal cropping cycles on these sites.

The exception was the sandy silt type sites, where at one site the sandy silt layer severely impacted maize plants growth and yield by preventing roots reaching the soil below.

Kale said some extra remedial cultivation was required to deal with silt.

“Once you can, stir the silt up to help with the drying process.

“The silt holds onto moisture. Be prepared to wait longer between cultivation passes.

“Post harvest, growers still report needing a longer gap between cultivation passes.

“Extra ripping was often reported as the flooding created a tighter profile.”

The study covered sites where arable, seed, market gardener, processing and cucurbit crops were grown.

“The whole idea of the study was to create a body of knowledge that could be used immediately, as well as in future similar flooding events. We believe we have achieved this outcome.”

In Focus Podcast | New tech to map farms and aid decision-making

Silver Fern Farms has partnered with Wellington-based Lynker Analytics to form a new company, Prism Earth, to help farmers better understand and capitalise on their natural vegetation and biodiversity.

Managing director of Prism Earth, Matt Lythe, tells Bryan the company will help primary producers face up to critical challenges such as developing diversified revenue streams, adjusting to changing climatic conditions, meeting emissions targets and responding to changing buyer behaviour.

Scion scientists have made a discovery that might one day help allergy sufferers survive the sneezing season.

Led by microbiome scientist Lottie Armstrong and Dr Steve Wakelin, they have identified a unique microbiome associated with pine pollen that may offer insights into future environmental and allergy research.

As outlined in a newly published paper, Armstrong has been exploring the idea that pollen is more than just a carrier of plant genetic material. 

“Like humans, many plant surfaces are colonised by microbial organisms, and these microbes influence the fitness of the plants. Pine trees and other conifers have been around a lot longer than humans, so we wonder if they have had much longer to form, or co-evolve, microbiome associations. 

“Microbiomes may be even more important to trees than they are to us,” she said.

Using environmental DNA-based methods, Armstrong examined the microbiomes on pine pollen from different Pinus radiata trees across Canterbury. 

Over two consecutive pollen seasons, researchers found a highly consistent presence of bacterial and fungal microbiomes on pine pollen. The fact that the same microbial species were present on pollen from different trees, and are stable over consecutive years, indicates this pollen microbiome is conserved and may be important for the plant. 

“Metabolomic analysis showed that amino acids and sugars on the pollen surface may help maintain this microbiome,” Armstrong said.

This revelation means that when pollen moves from tree to tree, it’s not just transporting the male genetic material – it’s also carrying a microbiome and all the microbial genome too.

“Microbiomes are essentially hitchhiking on pollen to move from tree to tree,” she said. “It’s a great evolutionary tool for microbes, allowing them to be transmitted into the wider forest, or to play a role in fertilisation, germination or the health and fitness of the next generation of trees.”  The discovery could open up new opportunities for researchers in health-related fields, particularly those involved in allergy research. 

“In other plant species, some of the allergenic effects of pollen are influenced by the microbiome,” Armstrong said. 

“Wouldn’t it be great to have a low-allergy microbiome on our pine trees so that those sensitive to pine pollen might get some relief? This could be a useful breeding target for the next generation of pine trees.”

While this aspect of the research is still unexplored, the potential implications are far reaching. The findings suggest that by understanding and possibly manipulating the microbiomes of trees, researchers could not only improve forest health and resilience but also help mitigate some of the allergenic effects of pollen on humans.

“This is just the beginning,” Wakelin said. 

“There’s still a lot we don’t know, but what we’ve discovered here sets the stage for exciting future research. Understanding how trees and their microbiomes interact will not only benefit forestry but may also have broader environmental and public health impacts.”

Lucerne grazing systems are boosting on-farm profitability for pastoral farmers thanks to an $8.1 million, five-year hill country futures programme researching resilient forages.

A 16-year study on Bog Roy Station, a hill country property on the shores of Lake Benmore, shows the adoption of lucerne grazing systems has significantly boosted animal performance and farm income.

Research from the completed Beef + Lamb New Zealand Hill Country Futures (HCF) programme continues to benefit farmers with lucerne as a drought-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing forage.

The programme, which included a focus on resilient forages, collected data on lucerne and a range of other forages from farms across New Zealand.

HCF focused on future-proofing the profitability, sustainability and wellbeing of NZ’s hill country farmers, their farm systems, the environment and rural communities.

A case study led by Professor Derrick Moot of Lincoln University’s dryland pastures research group used insights that were gained by the HCF programme to look at the impact of a lucerne grazing system on the station in Waitaki, with impressive results. 

“Farmers know that the decisions made today can yield results for years to come. 

“This is particularly evident at Bog Roy Station, a high-country farm in the Upper Waitaki region,” BLNZ head of science and research Dr Suzi Keeling said. 

“Since 2008, the station has implemented a lucerne grazing system that continues to deliver benefits 16 years later, both in animal performance and financial returns.  

“This success story shows how long-term research, like that supported by BLNZ’s Hill Country Futures, can have lasting impacts.” 

By 2015, Bog Roy Station had expanded its lucerne coverage from 60 hectares to 265ha, significantly boosting feed supply and enabling an increase in ewe numbers and overall productivity and profitability.  

Over time, the lucerne system has supported higher lambing percentages and earlier weaning, leading to a substantial rise in lamb liveweight production.  

By 2023, the station consistently weaned 163 tonnes of lamb liveweight from its Merino ewes, up from 90.8t in 2008. 

“The improvement in ewe performance, particularly in lambing percentages and growth rates, is directly tied to the higher quality and quantity of feed available,” Moot said.

“This has not only enhanced animal health and productivity but also allowed for greater flexibility in managing the flock.” 

The introduction of irrigation on 210ha further amplified these gains, supporting lucerne-grass mixes that provided high-quality feed for lambs.

As a result, pre-weaning lamb growth rates averaged 286 grams per head per day, allowing for weaning 40 days earlier than in 2008. 

“It’s a clear example of how strategic pasture development can lead to long-term gains in productivity and financial performance. 

“Farmers can look to this model as proof that the benefits of research and innovation extend well beyond the initial implementation phase,” Moot said. 

Bog Roy Station owner Gundy Anderson said that  “the shift to a lucerne dominant grazing system has been a game changer”. 

“The support and guidance of Derrick [Moot] with integrating strategic pasture development and management, combined with this programme, I believe is an example of how science and practicality can collaborate to bring about real long-term benefits and gains.  

“As Derrick often quotes, excellent agricultural science only happens in the field.”

Bog Roy Station’s experience demonstrates how initiatives like HCF, continue to deliver value long after trials have ended. 

The ongoing success at the station shows how continuous monitoring, adaptation, and learning can turn a research project into a sustainable, profitable farming system, Moot said. 

The HCF programme, a collaboration between BLNZ, MBIE, seed companies and farmers, was designed to provide practical, science-based solutions for the unique challenges of NZ’s hill country.

Further details of the transformational change at Bog Roy Station will be presented at this year’s NZ Grasslands conference NZGA conference in Oamaru, November 5-8. 

In collaboration with Lincoln University, BLNZ offers a free text messaging service for farmers, providing timely tips and reminders on lucerne management. 

With around 1100 subscribers, this service delivers expert advice from Moot directly to your phone.  

Subscribers can also send in questions and receive responses. Recently, the service added one-minute voice notes, offering more in-depth insights on lucerne management. 

All past messages are posted on X/Twitter, allowing farmers to follow or review them anytime. To sign up for the text service email: resources@beeflambnz.com