MAF Policy News
Issue 13, December 2008
ISSN 1177-701X
Funding round opens for Sustainable Farming Fund
The new funding round for MAF’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) opened earlier in November. Applications for 2009/10 are due by 5 February 2009.
Each year the SFF grants up to $9.5 million for projects which contribute to the sustainable growth of our land-based primary industries. Another $2.25 million is dedicated to projects that focus on climate change.
So far, more than 600 projects have been supported from across the horticultural, agricultural and forestry sectors ranging from pasture development to pest control, irrigation to information sharing and innovative production schemes.
For more information
- Read about the SFF and how to apply for funding.
- Read the latest SFF newsletter.
- To subscribe to this newsletter email amanda.hall@maf.govt.nz with “Subscribe to SFF newsletter” in the subject line.
Applications encouraged for Community Irrigation Fund
 |
Applications for MAF’s Community Irrigation Fund (CIF)
close on 20 February 2009. All potential parties are encouraged to apply. The fund is available to promoters of community water storage and/or irrigation schemes for generating investor and community support. Funding may be provided for up to four years. Before applying, applicants must complete a feasibility study. The pre-feasibility and feasibility studies of irrigation schemes can potentially receive grants from MAF’s Sustainable Farming Fund which closes its funding round on 5 February 2009. |
For more information
- Read about the CIF.
-
Read about the criteria for applications and download the CIF application forms.
Another 2238 hectares of East Coast gets erosion control
MAF has just approved in principle 25 applications under the East Coast Forestry Project's (ECFP) 2008 funding round which will cover a further 2238 hectares of new erosion control projects in Gisborne. The projects will cost over $3.5 million and cover erosion treatments commencing in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
The scheme provides grants for various soil conservation treatments. As at 30 June 2008, sustainable land management has been achieved on 33 000 hectares of the most severely eroding land, with a further 7000 hectares approved awaiting establishment. In total, 315 ECFP grants have been awarded to landowners in the Gisborne District.
For more information
- Read about the East Coast Forestry project.
$1.4 million for erosion protection and research
 |
The Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Hill Country Erosion Fund has allocated the Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Regional Councils’ Willow and Poplar Research Collective a total of $1.4 million for erosion protection and research.
The Greater Wellington Regional Council has been allocated $675 000 to target erosion in the Wairarapa hill country. The Regional Councils’ Willow and Poplar Research Collective will receive $735 000 to increase adoption of new varieties and research enhancing poplar and willow genetic stock to develop varieties with improved soil stabilisation qualities.
|
For more information
- Read about the Hill Country Erosion Fund.
- How to apply for Hill Country Erosion funding.
Business opportunities arising from climate change
A recent report identifying a range of potential business opportunities for the land-based primary sector is now available. These opportunities arise from the indirect impacts of climate change. This refers to any exposure to climate change that is not directly associated with physical climate changes, and can generally be categorised as impacts relating to the responses to climate change by private and public sectors. Examples of these responses include changing consumer demand for low greenhouse gas footprint products and voluntary offset markets.
This research is a key input into the strategy and plan of action being developed by the government/primary sector partnership to maximise business opportunities from climate change.
For more information
- Read the report or download in pdf format.
Climate change research findings now available
More than $5 million was allocated to fund research proposals through the Plan of Action for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change in 2007/08. The successful research bids focused on research to help the land-based sectors both to mitigate their impact on climate change as well as build the capability and resilience of the agricultural and forestry sectors to adapt to a changing climate. These reports are now available online.
For more information
- Read Forestry Sector research reports.
- Read Cross-sectoral/integration reports.
- Read Adaptation mechanisms to cope with climate change reports.
- Read Mitigation of agricultural emissions reports.
New forestry statistics available
Annual forestry production and trade in New Zealand for the year ended March 2008 have been re-released and are now available.
- To read the commentary and statistics.
Roundwood removals from New Zealand forests for the year ended 31 March 2008 are available.
- To read the commentary and statistics.
Pastoral Monitoring Report 2008 just released
 |
MAF’s Pastoral Monitoring Report 2008 was released on 16 December 2008. The report presents information on the production and financial status of farmers.
This year’s report shows that, with the exception of dairy farmers’ record payout, the sectors had a very tough season in 2007/08 due to widespread drought and rising input costs. For the 2008/09 season, farmers are cautiously optimistic for improved lamb, wool and beef prices, but dairy profitability is expected to drop back with rising expenses and a decreasing dairy payout.
|
For more information
- Read the media release.
- Read the fact sheet containing key highlights of the report.
- Read the report.
- For a printed copy email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz
Latest wood availability forecast for Southern North Island
MAF has released its latest wood availability forecast for the southern part of the North Island, including Taranaki, the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Wairarapa and Tararua District. The forecasts indicate that the potential availability of radiata pine from this region will increase slightly over the next few years. After 2016, increases in wood availability are expected to result in an increased log supply with the potential for significant volume increases from 2024.
For more information
- Read a copy of the Southern North Island wood availability forecasts.
- To read all current forest industry and wood availability reports.
- For printed reports email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz
Pork industry to turn waste into energy
A new project has been launched to look at the potential to turn pig manure on New Zealand farms into energy, significantly reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
The Pork Industry (NZPork), MAF and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) have joined together to launch the eight month project which will evaluate using manure in different biogas systems on farms.
The project will assess up to 10 individual farm biogas systems across various regions and farm sizes and the results will be used to inform the industry of the most effective opportunities for their farms.
The initial research stages of the project were supported by MAF’s Sustainable Farming Fund and has progressed to this next stage with the support of EECA’s EnergyWise Business Programme as part of the joint effort to implement the primary sector actions in the NZ Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.
For more information
- Read the media summary.
- Read a report describing research conducted as part of MAF’s Climate Change Plan of Action Research Programme 2007/8 on the sub-category topic of Methane from Animal Waste Management Systems.
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
Contact this person
