Early life application of methane inhibitor BOVAER 10 in dairy calves

Project start: 18 May 2021
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $547,620
Industry funding: $806,615
Industry partner: DSM New Zealand Ltd
Region: National

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas emitted by ruminants during digestion. The feed supplement BOVAER, developed by Royal DSM, is shown to immediately, consistently and effectively reduce these emissions. This project will investigate an application of BOVAER fit for New Zealand pasture agricultural systems, to see whether a lifetime reduction in methane emissions can be achieved through supplementation of calves.

Development of a multiplex immunoassay for detection of various bovine diseases and pregnancy diagnosis

Project start: 30 April 2021
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $404,040
Industry funding: $606,060
Industry partner: Pictor Limited
Region: Nationwide

This project will develop an affordable multiplex assay (test) to detect Johne’s Disease and pregnancy from a single milk sample. The project aims to encourage dairy farmers to increase testing to ensure more proactive and sustainable management of disease on-farm.

Extension 350 enhancing associate farmer engagement and project evaluation

Project start: 20 November 2020
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $500,500
Industry funding: $90,500
Industry partner: Northland Inc
Region: Northland

Northland Inc is building on an existing extension model for 350 Northland farmers. The model relies on high performing farmers mentoring associate farmers, and has had mixed results. This project seeks to improve delivery to associates and evaluate benefits.

Optimisation of solar power into irrigation and/or stream augmentation systems

Project start: 20 October 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $80,000
Industry funding: $150,000
Industry partner: Eiffelton Community Irrigation Scheme IN Soc.
Region: Canterbury

This pilot project will test and demonstrate the viability of solar power for targeted stream augmentation (TSA). TSA involves pumping groundwater to surface streams. This is for irrigation, and to support natural freshwater living systems.

Future Ready Farms

Project start: 1 October 2020
Project length: 5 years
MPI funding: $10,058,000
Industry funding: $15,087,000
Industry partner: Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Region: Nationwide

This programme aims to trial and develop 12 farm nutrient technologies that will help meet national environmental targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural chemical use, and nutrient loss to waterways.

Off-paddock wintering facilities and systems for Southern dairying – Phase 2 & 3

Project start: 15 September 2020
Project length: 4 years
MPI funding: $1,753,590
Industry funding: $1,434,760
Industry partner: DairyNZ
Region: Southland

This initiative will work with two design concepts for uncovered structures where cows are kept during winter, developed during phase one of the project. It will produce detailed designs through extensive consultation with local farmers, and then road-test the concept preferred by farmers and technical experts via an on-farm trial in 2022.

Next Generation Farming

Project start: 1 September 2020
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $417,100
Industry funding: $266,000
Industry partner: Next Generation Farming Trust
Region: Canterbury

Waimakariri farmers face significant environmental, water use and sustainability challenges. A group will develop a 'whole of farm business planning' approach to establish sustainability-focused future farm systems. Outcomes will be shared with the farming community.

GoDairy campaign – providing the inspiration and opportunity to change careers

Project start: 1 July 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $900,000
Industry funding: $490,000
Industry partner: DairyNZ
Region: Nationwide

GoDairy is promoting dairy as a career of choice and a viable long-term option in an industry that is New Zealand’s biggest exporter and that will help rebuild New Zealand’s economy post COVID-19. The campaign aims to attract at least 500 new employees to the dairy sector and is directed at recently unemployed/underemployed workers.

Taranaki dairy step change

Project start: 18 June 2020
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $222,600
Industry funding: $290,500
Industry partner: Dairy Trust Taranaki
Region: Taranaki

Dairy Trust Taranaki is partnering with DairyNZ's Step Change programme to create change on Taranaki dairy farms with the aim of increased profit, lower methane output and lower nitrogen surplus.

Future dairy farm systems for Northland

Project start: 18 May 2020
Project length: 5 years
MPI funding: $776,114
Industry funding: $917,920
Industry partner: Northland Dairy Development Trust
Region: Northland

This project will demonstrate strategies that may help farmers adapt their farm systems to mitigate the effects of climate change and comply with changing regulations. It will test the effectiveness of three different dairy farm systems.

New dairy genetics information system

Project start: 21 February 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $792,000
Industry funding: $198,000
Industry partner: NZ Dairy Cattle Breed Societies
Region: Nationwide

This project is developing a new information system to collect information on the physical and behavioural traits of dairy cows, to help evaluate the performance of New Zealand’s top breeding bulls. The system will integrate with the Dairy Industry Good Animal Database, managed by DairyNZ subsidiary New Zealand Evaluation Limited.

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