Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures projects

This project set out to create a new product category utilising a novel 3D knitting technology, with strong wool as material to deliver an interior acoustic panel product that is more sustainable (zero waste and circular). Autex worked with Sarah Coxhead, as part of her master's degree, to develop a proof of concept prototype. This research and development work is ongoing, and has informed further product development.

This project has found a direct relationship between Blood Urinary Nitrogen (BUN) and Urinary Nitrogen (UN).  Farmers will now be able to measure UN from blood samples and create Estimated Breeding Values (EBV), to breed more cows with Low-N genetics. Previous work and calculations have shown that adoption of Low-N genetics will, over time, reduce environmental nitrogen from cattle by at least 20%. This study demonstrates potential reductions of at least 28%.

Hereford heifers with lower blood urea nitrogen breeding values excrete urine with lower nitrogen concentration – New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for blood urea nitrogen concentration and its genetic relationships with growth traits in Hereford cattle – New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research  

This project aimed to accelerate the distribution of the biocontrol agents for horehound (Marrubium vulgare), a serious weed of hill- and high-country farms. The researchers successfully re-introduced the horehound plume moth Wheeleria spilodactylus from Australia and released it in four catchments using a new release technique. It will take several years to know if the agent has established.

The project developed an arable sector strategy to identify specific opportunities to support the transition from the current commodity focused industry. This includes a whole of value chain approach to enhance domestic and export growth.

The next steps are to hold workshops in 2024 to confirm priorities and actions for arable sector growth. These will involve arable growers, arable sector industry bodies, pan-primary sector interests, food manufacturers and food product innovators.

The project developed a business case for a new processing facility that is fit-for-purpose for the immediate and future expansion of Ora Innovation New Zealand Limited’s mamaku business. It assessed building and site requirements; trialled new equipment; developed a Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) plan; assessed information technology requirements; and analysed the facility’s financial feasibility. The next step is to secure funding to build the new processing facility and purchase processing equipment.

This project was successful in reconfiguring New Zealand’s Seed Certification Information System (SCIS) to meet the needs of AsureQuality, the contracted service provider for the New Zealand seed industry. The system enables all parts of the production chain from grower, merchant, exporter, verifier, and regulator to enter and share data on a common platform. The software application went into production in May 2024, with the support of all the project partners. It is now the default interface for all industry stakeholders participating in varietal seed certification in New Zealand, which will help protect and grow our $400 million seed industry.

This project aims to improve the retention of seed mussels on mussel farms by developing novel approaches to deter fish predators in the few months following seeding out. This is when seed mussels are most vulnerable.

The ‘Pasture Accelerator’ programme focuses on genomic technology that combines genetic information and physical information to speed up the traditional ryegrass and clover breeding processes. Ryegrass will be bred to handle heat better and use nitrogen more efficiently, and there will be a focus on breeding higher yielding and more resilient clovers. This research will underpin greater returns for pastoral farmers with the improved yields estimated to increase revenue to farmers by around $1 billion by 2040.

Media releases

Government backs climate-resilient pasture programme – Beehive

Programme documents

Pasture Accelerator outcome logic model [PDF, 212 KB]

Quarterly progress report summaries

October 2024 to December 2024 – Pasture Accelerator progress report [PDF, 169 KB]

July 2024 to September 2024 – Pasture Accelerator progress report [PDF, 143 KB]

April 2024 to June 2024 – Pasture Accelerator progress report [PDF, 158 KB]

January 2024 to March 2024 – Pasture Accelerator progress report [PDF, 226 KB]

October 2023 to December 2023 – Pasture Accelerator progress report [PDF, 272 KB]

July 2023 to September 2023 – Pasture Accelerator progress report [PDF, 271 KB]

This project will trial a method of octopus potting not currently used in New Zealand. It will use octopus trigger pots, which have been designed to target and catch only octopus. These have been proven highly successful overseas.

This feasibility study will assess the opportunity for organic waste bioconversion using black soldier flies at an industrial level in New Zealand. The insect-based bioconversion would transform organic waste into high value biomass: insect protein, lipids, and organic fertiliser.

The study aims to confirm the technical implementation of the process at an industrial scale, the market interest for such products, and whether the technology will work in commercial terms in the New Zealand context.

This project will develop and test an injectable formula to prevent horn growth in newborn calves and goat kids. This solution aims to be pain-free, while also being a safer delivery method for farmers and vets.

This project has created a new certification process that allows new Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) owners to operate immediately. This has removed the 12-to-18-month delay between purchasing the equipment and being able to operate the aircraft, which was a significant barrier to the adoption of UAV in the agricultural sector.

The project has also developed an agriculture-specific training course for UAV pilots to enhance the quality and safety of Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems agricultural aviation training in New Zealand.

This project seeks to develop a prototype for a composite board made from New Zealand strong wool and recycled plastics. It aims to increase sustainable options for the New Zealand building industry, and ultimately increase returns for strong wool growers.

This project established the feasibility of digital tools to streamline harvesting and efficient delivery of wild deer, and measure the environmental impact of hunting by the location of harvested deer relative to native flora and fauna. The resulting tool aims to provide hunters with premiums for harvesting deer from sites with increased environmental significance, plus inbuilt traceability, and compliance documentation.

This project aims to show that the benefits gained from improving the condition of our ecosystems such as nutrient cycling, flood and erosion control, carbon sequestration and improvements in water quality, can be quantified in economic terms. The project will develop a framework to help assess these economic benefits. It will develop an easy-to-use, prototype phone application and online tool to help quantify the value of ecosystem improvement measures.

Putting a value on our native ecosystems – Pāmu | Landcorp Farming

This project centres around the strategic removal of barriers to research and development participation in apiculture within Ngāti Porou for Māori landowners. It will create a research strategy and framework to manage research data and related intellectual property. The project also includes a pilot for a research-driven programme to breed and grow mānuka trees based on their honey-producing attributes.

This project will help determine the genetic health of working dogs by enabling breeding solutions that improve health, wellbeing and performance.

From 'good' old Kiwi farm dog to 'great' – Beehive

Right Dog for the Job – Genetic Results Update December 2024 [PDF, 270 KB]

Te Arawa Fisheries Limited, on behalf of Ngā Iwi i Te Rohe o Te Waiariki (NIOW), is progressing toward large-scale aquaculture development that aims to unlock the full potential of aquaculture in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. This is stage 4 of the programme and aims to develop two Investment Memorandums to explore a large commercial development of aquaculture projects in the region. It will put in place the people, legal structures, and investment to enable NIOW to partner with iwi and other investors in one or more priority aquaculture projects.

Smart Māori aquaculture

This project aimed to create a circular economy by developing high value uses for unexportable kabocha waste. Lab scale trials have successfully developed kabocha waste such as kernel, seeds and skin into high value exportable products. The next stage will involve larger quantity prototype development for further testing and market validation.

This programme will focus on new farm system approaches for a range of sheep breeds. The programme will use genetics to help future-proof the industry, breeding sheep with a greater tolerance for hot weather and with lower methane emissions. It will enable benchmarking, breed comparisons, research on new traits, and innovative new breeding programmes focused on optimum meat and wool production.

Media releases

‘Sheep of the Future’ transformational for NZ sheep farming – Pāmu

Quarterly progress report summaries

January to March 2025: NZ Sheep of the Future progress report [PDF, 366 KB]

October to December 2024: NZ Sheep of the Future progress report [PDF, 221 KB]

July to September 2024: NZ Sheep of the Future progress report [PDF, 420 KB]

January to March 2024: NZ Sheep of the Future progress report [PDF, 654 KB]

July to September 2023: NZ Sheep of the Future progress report [PDF, 335 KB]