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SFF Futures projects: other biological products
The projects are listed according to their start dates. The latest project is at the top.
Future proofing the New Zealand poultry industry against biological hazards
Project start: 9 March 2020
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $240,000
Industry funding: $110,000
Industry partner: Massey University, Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, Egg Producers Federation
Region: Nationwide
The New Zealand poultry industry is vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks that can disrupt domestic supply chains as well as access to international trade markets. This project involves working with poultry producers, industry, and government to co-design a national poultry information system with decision-support tools to help the poultry industry prepare and respond effectively to future disease threats.
Biological control of giant willow aphid
Project start: 25 February 2020
Project length: 2.5 years
MPI funding: $260,000
Industry funding: $97,000
Industry partner: Scion
Region: Nationwide
Scion is trialling a sustainable method of controlling giant willow aphid, an exotic pest with a particularly devastating impact on bee colonies. This will involve mass rearing and releasing Pauesia nigrovaria, a parasitoid from California, and monitoring its success. The parasitoid, which has been approved for release by the Environmental Protection Agency, will act as a biological control agent.
Parasitic wasps that leave mummified corpses Northland’s unlikely new environmental heroes – Stuff
The biology and impact of poplar sawfly
Project start: 21 February 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $100,000
Industry funding: $25,000
Industry partner: New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust
Region: Otago
An established population of poplar sawfly was detected in Dunedin in January 2019. These species are expected to spread rapidly throughout New Zealand. This project involves researching the poplar sawfly’s biology and impact on different poplar varieties to inform New Zealand’s approach to long-term management of this pest.
Find-A-Pest
Project start: 21 February 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $255,445
Industry funding: $136,000
Industry partner: Scion
Region: Nationwide
Scion is improving a prototype Find-A-Pest app that enables members of the community to participate in biosecurity surveillance. Developed through a National Science Challenge project, the app provides users with simple options to report potential pests and weeds. It also alerts users to the biosecurity threats in a particular region or industry.
