Technical Papers - 1996
1996
96/1 Bibliography of MAF Policy
publications: 1993 to 1995
Rod Forbes February 1996
96/2 Agricultural productivity trends for New Zealand [615K PDF]
Robin Johnson January 1996
As well as analysing productivity trends, this study compared two methods of measuring productivity (Divisia, and Laspeyre), and looked at the data used and its shortcomings. The results gained from the two methods were slightly different, but the main trends are clear. Trends have been favourable, for example, the rate of return to labour and capital factors of production has been increasing at about 5% per year over the last 20 years, a rate higher than that reported for other countries. Overall, these years have a been a period of consolidation for New Zealand agriculture, and national output has been maintained at high levels in spite of declining labour and capital inputs.
96/3 Public attitudes to the biological control of rabbits in New Zealand
Gerard Fitzgerald, Lindsay Saunders and Roger Wilkinson March 1996
After possums, rabbits are New Zealand's second major vertebrate pest problem, damaging both the environment and farm production. Data was gathered through 11 focus groups, and a telephone survey of 1127 New Zealanders. Although the vast majority of New Zealanders recognise the problems caused by feral rabbits, this recognition is not translated into personal concern (because rabbits are seen as 'cute and furry' and as a potentially useful resource). Shooting and trapping are the most acceptable forms of rabbit control, followed by biological control methods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Aerial use of 1080 and other poisons was least acceptable. The 'quality of death' of the animal is a key issue in the choice of rabbit control. People's response to Rabbit Calicivirus Disease RCD) is complex - it's likely that only one third of people would actively support its introduction. The survey highlighted the need for a well thought out public information and education programme (as opposed to public relations), when introduction of a control organism is being
96/4 Public perceptions and issues in the present and future management of possums
Gerard Fitzgerald, Lindsay Saunders and Roger Wilkinson March 1996
The introduced brushtail possum carries bovine tuberculosis (BTb), and is destructive to native ecosystems and forests. The NZ publics' and stakeholder groups perceptions, and attitudes to, to possums, BTb, and possum control technologies were examined. During 1994, 11 focus-group and 1127 telephone interview were done. Most people view possums unfavourably, with its main impact seen as being environmental (however, the main issue, from a policy perspective, is BTb). Shooting was the most acceptable way of killing possums, followed by trapping and a [hypothetical] possum-specific possum poison; least acceptable was 1080 and the use of general poisons. The keys to acceptability are species-specificity and humaneness. For biological control methods: the most acceptable were those that stopped possums breeding; the least acceptable were those that made possums more susceptible to natural diseases. Highlighted in the results was the need for a well designed programme of public information and discussion.
96/5 Special farm monitoring update (sheep and beef farming) [588K PDF]
Agriculture New Zealand Ltd May 1995
Nine of the 23 models that MAF uses to describe and analyse New Zealand farming were used in this study, which was commissioned following a decline in cattle and wool prices. Since peaking at 11.1 million hectares in 1985, the area used for sheep and beef farming has shrunk to 9.5 million hectares. Farmers themselves (especially young farmers) are under severe financial pressure, including: low morale in response to very low product returns, lower financial reserves, lower soil fertility levels, and less money available for fertilisers and repairs. Land use change to forestry and dairying is likely to continue (resulting in land values falling steeply for sheep and beef land that is not suitable for forestry or dairying). Sheep farmers are exploring all options, including: more off-farm work, leasing their farms, subdivision, cropping, sale of forestry rights, dairy grazing, and diversification into other on-farm enterprises.
96/6 Rural research with an emphasis on social issues
Diane Anderson November 1996
This list of NZ rural research undertaken over the last 10 years comes from a range of organisations, including: university departments; the Ministries of Education, Health, Forestry, Justice, and Women's Affairs; the Ministry for the Environment; the Social Policy Agency; and Federated Farmers and Women's Division Federated Farmers. Subject areas include: agriculture, education, forestry, intellectual property, Maori, natural resources, recreation and tourism, resource management and planning, rural communities, and services. Publications include: published and unpublished academic papers, books, theses, government and other reports, and proceedings of conferences and seminars.
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