MAF Policy News
Issue 16, June/July 2009
ISSN 1177-701X
MAF supports "smart farming" at Fieldays 2009
MAF was on the ground once again at the Mystery Creek Fieldays in Hamilton from 10-13 June. This year, MAF used the "My Land, Our Environment" theme to encourage farmers across the country to adopt smart farming practices and take action now to remain sustainable, resilient and productive in the face of a changing economic and environmental climate.
Information available to farmers on the main stand included the effects of climate change, the increasing risk of extreme weather events, on-farm adverse events recovery planning, practical farming solutions, and research underway that targets the mitigation of climate change and the on-farm management of greenhouse gas emissions.
"Now more than ever, farmers need to be drawing on their skills and experience in order to meet the challenges brought about by the global economic situation, climate change and the need to reduce their businesses' vulnerability to impacts", says MAF Director-General, Murray Sherwin.
MAFBNZ focused on the importance of identifying and reporting animal diseases, and the major role the agricultural sector plays in maintaining animal health and protecting New Zealand from pest and disease incursions. Animal welfare was also featured, highlighting the responsibility all owners have to their animal welfare needs.
MAF also teamed up with AgResearch and Environment Waikato this year as sponsors of the Premier Feature stand, themed "Fertile Ground".
This stand provided research, applied science and practical advice to support farmers in dealing with the environmental and economic challenges they face.
Visitors to the stand were able to get more information on how agriscience is working to provide solutions to these challenges.
There was also the opportunity for visitors to discuss new farming practices being trialled by others as they turn new ideas into action, and have a nutrient budget produced for their property using OVERSEER®.
For more information
- Visit the Fieldays website
Budget 2009: Primary Growth Partnership announced
Last month's Budget 2009 included funding for the development of a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) to be appropriated to Vote: Agriculture and Forestry.
PGP is a 50:50 government-industry partnership that will invest in significant programmes of research and innovation to boost the economic growth and sustainability of New Zealand's primary and food sectors, including forestry.
Funding for PGP amounts to $30 million for 2009/10, $40 million for 2010/11, $50 million for 2011/12, and $70 million per annum from 2012/13.
The industries included within the scope of PGP are:
- pastoral (including wool) and arable production;
- horticulture;
- seafood (including aquaculture);
- forestry and wood products;
- food processing (including, for example, nutriceuticals).
Investments will focus on initiatives that deliver significant economic growth and sustainability across the primary sectors from producer to consumer. The entire value chain will be covered; including education, research and development, product development, commercialisation, market development and technology transfer.
The priorities and strategic direction of PGP will be led by industry, through developing programme proposals that reflect their sectors' priorities.
Work involving the establishment of a secretariat within MAF Policy, and developing processes to support the Minister in appointing an Investment Advisory Panel (IAP), has already begun.
Bill Falconer is being appointed as Chair of the IAP and other appointments are expected to be finalised in August. All systems will be in place and guidelines for investors will be available in September.
Greenhouse Gas Footprint research is all go
The first two of 12 studies into the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Footprint of major New Zealand exporters have been released.
Both ZESPRI, the kiwifruit marketer, and milk producer Fonterra, New Zealand's largest exporter, have released the findings of studies into their respective GHG footprints.
Both studies were part-funded by MAF.
ZESPRI found that 41 percent of emissions generated by the production, export and consumption of kiwifruit came from transport. A further 17 percent were generated through orchard operations.
Fonterra found that 85 percent of emissions from farm to export port were generated on the farm, thanks largely to the amount of methane produced by all dairy cows.
The studies contribute to MAF's goal of working to develop a globally recognised methodology for undertaking GHG Footprint research and life cycle analysis.
MAF has funded a further 10 GHG Footprint studies for exporters including pipfruit, lamb and forestry products. These will be progressively released through 2009/10.
For more information
- For the GHG Footprinting strategy click here.
Centre for Agricultural GHG Research planned
The Government has announced it is setting up a greenhouse gas research centre targeting solutions for New Zealand's agriculture and horticulture emissions.
Agriculture Minister David Carter announced the centre on 2 June in Christchurch.
He said the centre will play a key role in encouraging the agriculture and horticulture sectors to contribute to New Zealand's emissions reduction targets.
"It is clear that agriculture will be part of New Zealand's emissions reduction efforts, but the sector must have access to effective and affordable technology that doesn't compromise productivity."
Mr Carter said the centre would be funded through the Primary Growth Partnership, announced in Budget 2009, and would be run through a host provider, most likely a Crown Research Institute or university.
"The Centre for Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research will promote win-win technologies that both reduce emissions, and improve on-farm efficiency and productivity.
"New Zealand's understanding of the drivers of ruminant greenhouse gas emissions is increasing all the time. Fonterra has just completed a carbon footprint project which will be invaluable to dairying's efforts to reduce emissions on-farm and in the manufacturing process.
"This, and an earlier study completed by Kiwifruit marketer ZESPRI are key to our primary industries better understanding and developing expertise in their carbon footprint work."
About half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, with methane from ruminant animals the biggest contributor.
The Centre will up and running by 2010.
Sustainable Farming Fund improving energy use in the wine industry
The Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) was established nine years ago to give financial support to New Zealand farmer or grower led projects. Since then, over 600 new and existing projects have received assistance; helping improve the prosperity and sustainability of the agricultural, horticultural and forestry sectors.
In 2006, the SFF and New Zealand Winegrowers funded a project aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the New Zealand Wine Industry, by using industry data to establish an energy-use benchmark system and best practice guidelines for energy conservation.
Twenty-two wineries, representing 53 percent of the 2005 harvest volume, were surveyed to establish the industry benchmarks for energy efficiency. The survey showed that there is considerable variation between wineries and potential to lower overall energy use by up to 20 percent. A simple computer tool was produced for case study New Zealand wineries to enable them to identify areas where they could make these savings, based on an adaptation of the Californian "BEST (Benchmarking and Energy and Water Savings Tool) Winery" software.
The NZ version of BEST is now complete and freely available to all New Zealand wineries. It has been demonstrated through a series of industry workshops and there has been keen interest from a large number of industry operators because of its ease of use and practical recommendations for savings. There is further potential to develop the tool for optimising water use within a winery.
For more information
- For more information about this project click here.
SFF has changed the timeline for the grant assessment process for the 2010/11 funding round
The new closing dates for the next funding round are:
- 7 October 2009 for projects of $20 000 and over; and
- 2 March 2010 for projects of under $20 000.
SFF project adviser contact details, application forms, guidelines, criteria, and information about funded projects are available on the MAF website: www.maf.govt.nz/sff
NZ Walking Access Commission appoint new CEO
The Chair of the New Zealand Walking Access Commission, John Acland, has announced the appointment of Mark Neeson as the Commission's first Chief Executive.
Mark is currently Manager Environmental Policy at MAF and has had an extensive public sector career - having worked previously for the Lands and Survey Department, the Department of Conservation and the State Services Commission in Christchurch, Hokitika and Wellington. He also holds qualifications in law and environmental management, and has been closely involved in the development of the walking access policy and legislation.
Once fully operational, the Walking Access Commission will provide information on walking access routes, negotiate new walking access across private land, and facilitate the resolution of disputes relating to walking access.
The Commission is also responsible for walkways, which were formerly under the New Zealand Walkways Act 1990.
The Commission has also recently released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Public Access Mapping System which has generated a lot of interest from potential suppliers. The objective of the system is to graphically show areas of public access in New Zealand in an easily understandable and inexpensive format.
For more information
- Click here for the Walking Access Commission website.
Farm monitoring publications review complete
MAF's Farm Monitoring Programme collects data from a range of farm types throughout New Zealand, and releases monitoring reports such as the Pastoral Monitoring Report and the Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report.
A review of MAF's farm monitoring publications has recently taken place. Stakeholder opinion highlighted the importance of timelier information releases, and more detailed data and time series analysis. Feedback also indicated that many people only use information from one region or one sector.
MAF will now be producing a suite of three products for each of the horticulture, arable and pastoral monitoring programmes. Each product will be a ‘stand alone' release but together will create a complete package of farm monitoring information.
- Product 1: Model data in downloadable excel tables and key points in HTML format will be published to MAF's website soon after monitoring is completed - approximately mid-July, or mid-September for sheep and beef models.
- Product 2: Model data and accompanying commentary will be available on MAF's website in a printable PDF format - approximately in early August, or mid-October for sheep and beef models. Commentary-only chapters will also be available in this format.
- Product 3: A concise report containing a sector overview and information on sector level issues, national models, and results of research undertaken using farm monitoring data will be published. This product will enable MAF to reflect key sector issues more concisely than in previous reports. Release dates are not yet available.
If you would like to be added to the farm monitoring publications database please email policy.publications@maf.govt.nz
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
