More success for Primary Growth Partnership   17 Feb 2015

More success for Primary Growth Partnership

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is welcoming more success stories from the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP), with several programmes making big steps forward.

“Government and industry are together investing $720 over time million into 20 innovation programmes, and many of these are already delivering results,” says Mr Guy.

Mr Guy is speaking today at the annual open farm day at Limestone Downs, which is involved in the “Pioneering to Precision” PGP programme, led by Ravensdown.

“As part of this programme drones and light aircraft are being used to scan the hill country at Limestone Downs Station to develop precision fertiliser applications for hill country. This programme will deliver productivity and environmental benefits.

“The Clearview Innovations PGP programme, led by Ballance Agri-Nutrients, has just completed the commercial release of N-Guru. This is a software tool developed with AgResearch that enables farmers to tailor application rates of nitrogen to areas which are likely to produce the highest pasture response.

“N-Guru will allow more efficient use of nitrogen fertiliser and reduce over-application, which – alongside the major environmental benefits – will help farmers to generate greater returns from their land.”

The Red Meat Profit Partnership programme has just completed a major piece of research into high-performing red meat farmers and what drives these businesses to adopt new practices.

“Studying these characteristics, behaviours, skills and attitudes can help more farmers improve their productivity and reach the top tier.

“Transforming the Dairy Value Chain is also making good progress towards improved animal health, working to reduce facial eczema in cattle. It has identified tolerant bulls of high genetic merit, and farmers are now using these to breed tolerance into their dairy herds.

“Facial eczema is estimated to cost New Zealand’s dairy industry over $100 million a year in lost production, treatment costs and animal loss.

“Through the PGP we’re seeing the primary sector working collaboratively to add value not just to the primary industries, but to New Zealand’s wider economy. These programmes have a major part to play in our goal of doubling the value of primary sector exports by 2025.”

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