Latest news with #AgResearch
Scoop
10-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
NZAGRC Changes Name To Ag Emissions Centre
The New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) has a new name. It will now be known as the Ag Emissions Centre. Since 2009, the Ag Emissions Centre has led research to help farmers meet the growing challenge of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. The new name will make it easier for farmers and industry to find and engage with the science, tools, and support that will help them reduce emissions. 'As international expectations around emissions have grown, so too has the pressure on farmers to respond, and our work has evolved alongside them,' says Dr Naomi Parker, Executive Director of the Ag Emissions Centre. 'The new name is about being more visible, better connected, and more easily identified by the farmers, Māori agribusinesses, researchers, and industry partners we support. It reflects the Centre's role as specialists in agricultural emissions, and the urgency of the challenge we're helping tackle.' While the name has changed, the Ag Emissions Centre's core mission remains the same: shaping and funding research that can help farmers, government, and industry meet global demands for low-emissions farming. Its research portfolio includes a methane vaccine and inhibitors, nitrous oxide inhibitors, low-methane livestock genetics, and farm systems research. Reducing agricultural emissions remains one of the most pressing issues facing New Zealand's primary sector. Agriculture makes up over 50% of the country's total emissions, and the pressure to demonstrate measurable reductions from global markets, customers, and trading partners is growing. 'Farmers are already feeling the effects of climate change and shifting market expectations,' says Dr Parker. 'Our role is to help discover and develop the tools and knowledge New Zealand farmers need to stay competitive, protect their markets, and keep farming sustainably into the future.' The Ag Emissions Centre will continue to operate as an independent unit within AgResearch, which will transition on 1 July 2025 to the new Bioeconomy Science Institute under the Government's wider science system reform. Existing contracts and relationships with research partners remain unchanged. Stakeholders will begin seeing the new name and branding, including new email addresses and website at from 1 July 2025.
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Toxic 'superweed' spreading across Northland sparks concern for pastoral farming sector
Perennial Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis) can grow up to 50cm tall in ideal conditions, and has multiple branches, long leaves and many flowers. Photo: SUPPLIED/Northland Regional Council The Northland regional council and farming groups are developing a plan to try to control an invasive weed known as the "mad rag" or "fireweed", amid fears it could spread to other regions and even into the South Island. Madagascar ragwort (Senecio madagascariensis) is a poisonous and sometimes fatal plant for livestock with bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, now considered widespread in the Far North particularly on cattle farms. Dubbed the "fireweed" in Australia, that originated from southern Africa, adult plants could produce up to 10,000 seeds that could be viable for up to a decade, and germinated in as little as six weeks across most soil types. AgResearch principal scientist and weed management expert, Dr Trevor James said the plant suppressed other pasture species and spread by wind, posing many challenges for farmers and landowners trying to control it. "There is no easy way to manage it once it gets established, but the main problem is its toxicity to cattle and horses," James said. "Poisoning doesn't seem to be the problem per se, because stock don't eat it once they learn that it's horrible. "But poisoning could be a problem if it's made into hay and is fed out as hay or possibly silage and the poison toxins are still there." James said climate modelling showed it had the potential to go further afield of Northland. "And if climates get warmer and drier, definitely it has the potential to move further south ." Some fields along SH10 in the Far North are now dominated by Madagascar ragwort. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Farmers were being urged to get to know the weed, pull it out by hand and work with their neighbours to keep on top of it. Will Burrett, chief operating officer of Crown-owned Pāmu Farming formerly Landcorp Farming, said Madagascar ragwort was prevalent on its Northland farms. He said it resulted in lost production of up to 35 percent over seven years at its Rangiputa site, where it was costing on average up to $200 per hectare to control, in addition to the increased use of agrichemicals. "We've obviously got herbicide applications and we're trying to limit those as much as we can because we are starting to impact overall pasture production," Burrett said. "It is highly toxic, so we can spray out of paddock and then the fresh seedlings that re-sprout and come back through, if animals do graze those, they're highly toxic to their liver, so that does cause animal health considerations that we have to try and manage as well." He said Pāmu were actively trying to manage it by pulling the weeds out by hand as they came through, but it was such a "fast, prolific grower". "There's no silver bullet for this, and it's got a significant risk across the north in that it's been proven to have the ability to spread to other regions throughout Aotearoa in terms of the cattle systems and the dairy systems out there. It's a massive risk." Burrett said the next steps were about committing industry to a plan, to take to the biosecurity minister in the next month or two. Takou Bay farmer Ian Sizer studies an infestation of Madagascar ragwort. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Beef farmer Ian Sizer of Tākou River had dealt with the pest for around four years, and said it spread across a whole paddock within just four weeks on discovering the first plant. He spent up to two hours a day hand-weeding it to keep on top of it and maintain his herd's health. "It's everywhere. It's a problem all the way across our farm and of course, neighbouring farms, and we're all trying to do our part on containing it," Sizer said. "Part of my daily routine when I'm moving cattle is one eye is always kept on the Madagascar ragwort, and if I see it, the priority is to get off and hand-weed it." Sizer said it came at a significant cost to the business. "It's costing me probably in the region of $70,000 a year to try and deal with this, but the impact on farmers throughout the whole of New Zealand, it could easily be put into millions," he said. Sizer said there were very few effective herbicide for farmers, which had to change, and a collective, national approach to fast-track the development of longer-term biological controls was vital. The Northland Regional Council led a working group to address the challenge of controlling Madagascar ragwort, including the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Department of Conservation, as well as farming sector groups like Beef and Lamb New Zealand and Dairy NZ. A 2023 Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research feasibility study for biocontrol of Madagascar ragwort found the potential agents used in Australia would be unsuitable in New Zealand. Jack Craw, chairman of the regional council's Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party, said it had $20,000 allocated towards developing a business case for its long-term management and further research. He hoped industry groups would help co-fund the programme that would explore the use of biological controls such as beneficial insects for the long-term management. "We've highlighted this to the national level, and we believe it's something that the regional councils, plural, of New Zealand should be funding this, along with all the sector organisations." Madagascar ragwort grows up to 60cm tall and has yellow, daisy-like flowers. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf He said its spread outside of Northland was "inevitable", as the seeds travelled by wind, so a controlled area notice to restrict the movement of vehicles in and out of the region would be "a futile gesture". "There's probably no point in the Ministry for Primary Industries putting a controlled area notice on the upper half of Northland because even if we did, we can't inspect every single vehicle and then water blast them all. It's just not possible. "We need to focus much more on finding a long-term control solution for this weed." Madagascar ragwort was "a national issue," he said. "We've done the climate matching and this thing will grow as far south as Canterbury, and invade most pasture types." Farmers were not currently receiving any financial assistance for its control, he said. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the management of Madagascar ragwort would require a "collective effort", but the responsibility of long-term management of it in the north, where it was well-established, sat with the regional council. "A working group involving regional council and industry sector representatives has been established with the intention of identifying management options to mitigate the risk of further spread and to reduce known infestations," Hoggard said in a statement. "The working group will be developing a Madagascar ragwort action plan for the region. Nearby regions are involved in this too. "Biosecurity New Zealand and MPI's On Farm Support team will support this group." The matter would be discussed at the next regional biosecurity manager's forum, he said. Recent genomic DNA testing revealed the plant that many thought to be the similar endemic Gravel groundsel species, was the faster-spreading Madagascar ragwort. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Late Feds leader Rural Hero of Year finalist
A Mid Canterbury farmer who died after a farm accident is in the running for major recognition at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards. The late Federated Farmers leader Chris Allen is a finalist, along with Waikato-Hauraki-Coromandel Rural Support Trust co-founder Neil Bateup and Taranaki rescue helicopter fundraiser Ian Jury, for the Rural Hero of the Year award. Mr Allen, 62, died after he was electrocuted while fixing a garage door last December. His sheep and beef property in Ashburton Forks was one of several farms badly damaged in the floods which hit the region in 2021. A Federated Farmers board member for eight years, he hosted then prime minister Jacinda Ardern at his property to show the damage and appeal for government support. His balanced approach on environmental and water issues earned the respect of farmers and those with opposing views. Mr Bateup became founding chairman of the NZ Rural Support Trust in 2017 and has given many hours supporting farmers and rural families facing hard times, while 85-year-old Mr Jury has collected batteries for recycling for 20 years in his fundraising for the rescue helicopter service. The awards are part of the two-day PINZ Summit taking place at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre from June 24 to 25. Another widely known central South Island farmer — Molesworth Station manager Jim Ward — is a finalist with senior AgResearch scientists Dr Robyn Dynes and David Wheeler for the Champion Award. For nearly 20 years he has been on the Federated Farmers high-country committee and served the Wilding Pine Network New Zealand. Often behind the scenes, he has worked for change, shaped policies and driven improvements for high-country farmers. Since taking on the Molesworth farm manager role in 2001, he has faced many challenges to ensure the station remains economically viable. For more than two decades he has balanced pastoral farming, conservation and recreation values under the scrutiny of the public eye. Mr Wheeler has helped shape and improve the farm management tool Overseer, while Dr Dynes is a principal scientist and farmer engagement specialist at AgResearch focusing on farming systems between forage science and animal science. Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland said the awards celebrated primary leaders at a time when leadership was needed during an international tariff "tit-for-tat" sparking disruption and uncertainty in export markets. PRIMARY INDUSTRIES NEW ZEALAND AWARD FINALISTS • Emerging Leader Award: Bridie Virbickas, Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty sharemilker chairwoman. Imogen Brankin, Silver Fern Farms on-farm sustainability adviser. Kazi Talaska, Onions NZ general manager. Lucy Brown, The Whole Story agricultural sustainability coach. • Champion Award: David Wheeler, AgResearch senior scientist. James (Jim) Ward, Molesworth Station manager. Dr Robyn Dynes, AgResearch principal scientist and farmer engagement specialist. • Team and Collaboration Award nProve for Beef — online genetics tool, Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Food system integrity team, AgResearch, led by Dr Gale Brightwell. An open data-sharing ecosystem: Fonterra, Ballance, Ravensdown and LIC. • Technology Innovation Award TEO for Ovitage, the world's most complete collagen. FAR for Combine Workshops — increasing productivity on arable farms. Alliance Group for Meat Eating Quality (MEQ) technology. • Food, Beverage and Fibre Producer Award Chia Sisters. Kiwi Econet, Grant Lightfoot founder. New Image International. • Guardianship & Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award Pāua Dashboard — Pāua Industry Council. The eDNA for water quality team led by Dr Adrian Cookson. Pacificvet, co-founder Kent Deitemeyer. • Rural Hero of the Year Chris Allen (posthumous), farmer and Federated Farmers leader. Neil Bateup, Rural Support Trust founder. Ian Jury, Taranaki grassroots good sort. •Outstanding Contribution to Primary Industries NZ Award Winner to be announced on the night.
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Livestock facial eczema breakthrough: Scientists discover new fungus species
But new research has revealed there are two species of this fungus in New Zealand pasture, not just one as previously thought. Scientists have named the new fungus species Pseudopithomyces toxicarius, identified as the primary producer of sporidesmin, the toxin produced by spores of the fungus. The new species is in addition to the better-understood non-toxic Pseudopithomyces chartarum. The study's lead author, Dr Bevan Weir, senior scientist at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, said the teams extensively studied the organisms, genomes and toxins found in New Zealand pasture and abroad. 'It was amazing when we got the first DNA sequencing data and there was just this incredibly clear split showing that there was definitely these two species on pasture,' Weir said. 'It was a fantastic experience figuring out that we've kind of cracked it, and that in the past there have been reports of non-toxic strains or less toxic ones, and now we know the reason why.' He said the discovery followed years of hard work and dedication by research institutes, the agriculture industry and farmers. AgResearch, Landcare Research, Beef + Lamb NZ and the Livestock Improvement Corporation were involved in the study, led by Beef + Lamb NZ. The seven-year project to eliminate the impacts of facial eczema in livestock was valued at $20.75m, and the Government assigned $8.3m to it in March last year. Weir said identifying the primary cause of facial eczema was a 'critical step forward' in reducing its impact. 'The complicated thing is that although these species are really genetically distinct and have very different genes, under the microscope, they are completely identical. 'So you can't tell them apart at all, even under our really good research microscopes. 'And this is a problem for assessing facial eczema risk, because at the moment the main method of assessing risk is doing spore counts, and it's still a good method, but some of those spores that the vets and farmers are counting under the microscope will be from the non-toxic species.' Weir said the ongoing sheep poo collection work will help them identify where the toxic and non-toxic species were found around New Zealand - but there were generally very little toxic examples found in the South Island, and more in the North Island. AgResearch lead author Christine Voisey said the teams were grateful to the farmers who supported the study by providing samples that were vital to this research. 'Working on this project has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,' she said. 'There is still much to learn about the biology of Pseudopithomyces, but this research brings us closer to developing tools that will help mitigate the impacts of facial eczema on New Zealand's farmers.' Beef + Lamb NZ general manager of farming excellence, Dan Brier, said the research gave the sector a clearer foundation for developing more accurate diagnostic tools and effective management practices.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Our Changing World: Dissecting The World's Rarest Whale
The spade-toothed whale: deep diving, rare, and largely unknown to science - until now. The elusive species, part of the beaked whale family, grabbed worldwide headlines in 2024: first when it washed ashore 30 minutes south of Dunedin in July, then again five months later when it was dissected. In December 2024, Our Changing World joined the research team during their week-long scientific dissection efforts to find out what secrets the whale holds. Rare and elusive Beaked whales are some of the most elusive marine mammals on the planet because they are so incredibly well adapted to their long-deep-diving lifestyle. Satellite tagging studies of Cuvier's (or goose-beaked) whales have revealed extraordinary feats of physiology. This includes one dive that lasted a mindboggling 222 minutes - that's longer than the runtime of The Return of the King, the third (and longest) Lord of the Rings movie. Another dive reached a depth of almost three kilometres. Average dives lasted about one hour - impressive breath-holding for an air-breathing mammal. As for the spade-toothed whale's diving prowess - well, nobody knows. It's never been seen alive in the wild. 'I can't tell you how extraordinary it is for me personally' Anton van Helden helped give the whale its common name - spade-toothed - because the single tusk-like tooth erupting from the lower jaw of males looks like a whaling tool called a spade. Anton, senior science advisor in the marine species team at the Department of Conservation, had described the outer appearance of the whale from photographs taken of a mother and calf that washed up in the Bay of Plenty in 2010. They were originally mis-identified and buried, before DNA analysis confirmed that they were spade-toothed whales, after which their partial skeletons were exhumed. This meant that when Anton was sent some snaps of the whale that washed up in Otago in July 2024 he knew exactly what he was looking at, and what a rare find it was. The 2024 specimen is only the seventh ever found (with all but one from New Zealand). Hence the hum of excitement in the concrete room at AgResearch's Invermay campus in Mosgiel, just south of Dunedin. For the first time ever, scientists got the chance to dissect an intact spade-toothed whale. New finds: nine stomachs and tiny teeth The week begins with photographs and whole-body measurements, followed by cutting into and peeling back the thick layer of blubber. Once the blubber is removed, individual muscles are identified and documented. The massive backstrap muscle across the length of the body is then removed, exposing the organs below. These are photographed, examined and weighed. Each beaked whale species seems to have a unique stomach plan. This dissection revealed that the spade-toothed whale has nine stomachs. Squid beaks and eye lenses were found inside, along with some parasites that are now at the University of Otago, awaiting identification. During the week the intact head was removed and brought to the onsite CT scanner. The tens of thousands of images that come out of the scan, along with the subsequent head dissection, will help the researchers dig into some of the many questions they have around the whale's evolution, how they make and use sound, and how they feed. For example, tiny vestigial teeth were found in the jawbone of this whale - a throwback to their early evolutionary days when they had more teeth. Now they have evolved to be suction feeders, using sound to echolocate their prey and then employing their piston-like tongue to alter the water pressure and suck them in. While the focus was scientific dissection, rather than autopsy, the team did find bruising around the neck and head, and a broken jawbone, indicating that the whale had suffered some head trauma that was likely the cause of death. A collaborative effort, and a reconnection A large team participated in the whale's recovery and dissection: Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou hapū members and rangatahi, staff from Tūhura Otago Museum, local and international whale scientists, University of Otago staff and scientists, Māori whale experts (tohunga), and staff from the Department of Conservation. Experts from both knowledge systems - mātauranga Māori and western science - worked alongside each other, with learning going both ways, says Tumai Cassidy from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou. He was excited to learn from Ngātiwai tohunga Hori Parata and his son Te Kaurinui who answered Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou's call to assist with the dissection. The whale was named Ōnumia by the rūnanga, after the te reo Māori name for the native reserve stretch of coastline it was found on. The whale's skeleton has been gifted to Tūhura Otago Museum, but it will be a while before it will go on display. Right now, the bones are in Lyttelton in the care of Judith Streat. Three months in bacteria-filled baths have stripped the bones of flesh, but there is a lot of oil in deep-diving whales, so the process will take several more years. The kauae, or jawbone, will stay with Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, says Rachel Wesley. "Being able to claim the kauae, you know, as mana whenua, under our rakatirataka and in line with old practices from the past has been a huge step forward from what our hapū has been able to do in the past." A 3D-printed version of the jawbone will complete the skeleton in the museum.
