|
Sponsorships
for 2007
AgResearch supports a
number of key events and strategic sponsorships each year. These are
considered by the Communications Committee and committed for the
forthcoming financial year in a funding round in March. The
sponsorship portfolio is for events or activities that align with
the strategic direction of the organisation. The funding allocation
is finite and contestable. Each proposal is considered on its merit
and is assessed according to its potential return on investment. The
Communications Committee has confirmed the following successful
sponsorships for 2007 – 2008.
Maori Excellence In Farming Awards 2007
- The Ahuwhenua Trophy
AgResearch are proud to be Gold Sponsors of the
Maori Excellence in Farming Awards 2007. Since its inception in 1932
by Sir Aprirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe, the Ahuwhenua Trophy has
continued to celebrate and encourage the pursuit of innovation and
new approaches by Maori farmers committed to tapping the full
potential of their holdings. For contenders of the trophy
exceptional performance not only encompasses use of research and the
application of new technologies by Maori farmers, it goes further,
and permeates financial performance, management and nga tikanga
Maori in their business practice.
This is the fifth consecutive year that
AgResearch has been a sponsor of this competition and reconfirms
AgResearch’s commitment to the Maori farming sector. For more
information contact Roger Pikia, Maori Strategist, AgResearch, ph 07
856 2836.
The New Zealand Institute of
Agricultural & Horticultural Science 2007 Technology Transfer Award
NZIAH's vision is to be the recognised champion
of Agricultural & Horticultural Science in New Zealand and to
recognise and reward achievement and excellence in technology
transfer in agriculture. AgResearch supports the Institute through
its sponsorship of the annual Technology Transfer Award
NZ Bio Conference 31 March – 2 April
2008
NZBio is an incorporated society representing
the New Zealand biotechnology sector. It has a broad range of
members engaged in a number of different activities, and
strong connections into regional and national networks. Its focus is
on enhancing health, wealth and wellbeing through the benefits of
agricultural biotechnology. It works on policy advocacy, networking
by facilitating local & international market links, communicating
AgBio success stories and enhancing sector value as well as
community education.
In 2007, for the third year in a row, an
AgResearch scientist was named Emerging Biotechnologist of the Year
by NZBio. Dr Mike North, Senior Food Engineer in AgResearch’s Food
Metabolism & Microbiology Section, was awarded the coveted title of
Emerging Biotechnologist of the Year award which is presented to a
scientist under the age of 35 whose achievements clearly demonstrate
the potential for future leadership in biotechnology. Dr North leads
the meat quality and safety team based at the former Meat Industry
Research Institute of New Zealand (MIRINZ), which is part of
AgResearch’s Ruakura campus in Hamilton.
New Zealand Grasslands Association 69th
Annual Conference 13 – 15 November 2007
AgResearch has worked closely with the
Association over several years and in 2006 provided sponsorship
support for the 68th Grassland Conference that saw 420 delegates
receive presentations by more than 20 AgResearch staff. Through the
Association, AgResearch also supported the 13th
Australian Plant Breeders Conference and the 6th International
Symposium on Fungal Endophytes of Grasses. The Association is the
largest membership based body specialising in transferring pastoral
technology from the laboratory to the farm. The Association is also
the publisher of internationally regarded Proceedings which has, for
the past 75 years, been the preferred publishing choice of pastoral
researchers in New Zealand and aboard.
NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists &
Communicators / AgResearch Science Writers Award 2007
This award has been established by the New
Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators and
AgResearch to enhance standards of science writing, especially about
pastoral agriculture. The award goes the writer or journalist who
provides two science features, in any medium, published in New
Zealand in the 12 months to July 31st 2007. The entrant
need not be a member of the Guild. The award is judged on style of
writing, presentation, accuracy and topicality. Articles must be
well written, interesting, educational yet inspirational, displaying
thoroughness, the ability to translate science for everyone to
understand, and an overall standard of workmanship.
In particular, readers have to be inspired by
science, to come away with an understanding that science holds the
key to New Zealand’s future prosperity and that technology for the
next decade is under research right now. A prize of $1000 is awarded
to the best entry.
MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year
Awards 2007
The MacDiarmid Awards is a prestigious event
that recognises the excellence of New Zealand's young research and
technology scholars. The awards are named after one of New Zealand's
greatest scientists - Professor Alan MacDiarmid, who won the Nobel
Prize for Chemistry in 2000 for the discovery and development of
conductive polymers.
Born in the Wairarapa, Professor MacDiarmid was
educated in the Hutt Valley and at Victoria University and was,
until his death in early 2007, the Blanchard Professor of Chemistry
at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, and the James
Von Ehr Professor of Chemistry and Physics at the University of
Texas at Dallas, USA.
Emerging science and technology scholars enter
a summary of their research project with accompanying academic
curriculum vitae. The best entries are then invited to continue on
to the next stage of the competition and submit a poster and either
a short essay, audio or video clip. These are targeted at a
secondary school age audience using clear simple language and
imaginative graphics. The best science and communication entries are
then invited to present their research to a final judging panel.
This panel determines winners in each of five science categories and
the overall winner and runner-up. The overall winner receives
$10,000 and a trip to the British Association Science Festival in
the United Kingdom.
International Conference Greenhouse
Gases in Animal Agriculture 26 – 29 November 2007
Previously hosted in Japan and Switzerland this
conference offers a unique opportunity to showcase local efforts to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming and to raise
the profile of the greenhouse gases debate. Approximately 250
delegates from around the world are expected to attend. As
AgResearch is the major provider of research in the mitigation of
agricultural GHG’s in New Zealand AgResearch will have a strong
presence in both invited and offered paper presentations. In
addition our sponsorship support will assist organisers to bring Dr
Henning Steinfeld, author and principal scientist with the FAO in
Italy to the conference.
NZ Society of Animal Production
publication “Mineral Requirements and Managing Deficiencies in
Grazing Animals”
This book will be a comprehensive reference
work that focuses on local pastoral grazing systems. The book will
outline the reasons, means, risks and real benefits that flow from
careful management of trace and macro-element nutrition. The latest
data and most dependable recommendations for livestock will be
presented in a concise and retrievable form. The book is a revision
of what was published in 1983 and subsequently in 1994. This latest
revision will completely update the science and broaden the
audience. AgResearch scientists Dr Neville Grace and Dr Scott
Knowles have jointly authored the book with Professor Andrew Sykes.
AgResearch considers this document to be an invaluable resource for
the New Zealand agricultural sector.
|