Developing high-throughput image-processing tools for seed testing
Project start: 15 December 2022
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $100,000
Industry funding: $110,000
Industry partners: Seed Industry Research Centre Inc, AgResearch Ltd
Region: Nationwide
Seed quality assessment based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is transforming the global seed industry. This project aims to evaluate the use of HSI imaging and modern AI technologies to identify weed seed contamination of seed lots. These technologies will be used to detect wild oat (Avena spp.) seeds within ryegrass, wheat, and barley seed samples.
See you later Alligator
Project start: 24 August 2022
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $270,000
Industry funding: $135,000
Industry partners: AgResearch, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Horizons Regional Council, Wellington Regional Council, Kiwifruit Vine Health, Rural Contractors NZ, Foundation for Arable Research
Region: North Island
This project will establish the on-farm impacts and costs of alligator weed. It also aims to provide practical mitigation and management advice, and education to farmers, growers and rural contractors. This will incorporate excluding, eradicating and/or the progressive containment of alligator weed on agricultural, horticultural and arable farms.
New project aims to say 'see you later Gator weed' - Farmers Weekly
Reducing off-target fertiliser application
Project start: 3 May 2022
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $292,500
Industry funding: $195,000
Industry partners: Lincoln Agritech Limited
Region: Canterbury
This project will work with stakeholders to improve fertiliser spreading in New Zealand, and reduce off-target application. It will carry out agronomic research to assess and manage the level of economic loss from poor spreading quality. It aims to provide guidelines to ensure fertiliser spreading meets Spreadmark and Good Practice Management standards.
Hemp optimisation project
Project start: 1 September 2021
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $245,568
Industry funding: $407,372
Industry partners: Hemp Connect Limited
Region: Manawatū-Whanganui
This project aims to establish a pilot hemp seed processing plant in New Zealand. The project will research and develop new hemp-based products that utilise processing waste streams.
Media release: MPI backs project to establish internationally competitive hemp seed processing plant
Growers Leading Change
Project start: 6 October 2020
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $1,169,000
Industry funding: $1,315,000
Industry partner: Foundation for Arable Research
Region: Nationwide
Growers Leading Change will develop an extension framework for the arable industry. This will include setting up a network of facilitated farm discussion groups, trial and demonstration farms, and a mobile learning centre. It will enable arable growers to work with and learn from each other.
Growers choosing to lead change for arable – Foundation for Arable Research (FAR)
Reducing yield variability in process pea crops
Project start: 3 July 2020
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $274,000
Industry funding: $118,000
Industry partner: Horticulture New Zealand (on behalf of the process vegetables sector)
Region: Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury
The New Zealand process pea industry wishes to quantify the differences between pea seedlines available in New Zealand for production. This will help them understand how to achieve yield consistency and how to determine the most economic solutions for growing peas and increasing production.
