April 2009

Opportunities arise from crises

From AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West
Responding to the global economic crisis

Around the world, and in the New Zealand agriculture sector, the challenges of the economic crisis are real. The choices being made now, however, by farmers, business people, Government and sector leaders will create a platform for future prosperity.

When Britain went into the Common Market in the 1970s, it was tough, but New Zealand built one of the world’s most innovative, productive and competitive agricultural sectors in response. In the current crisis, strengthening those attributes further will form a firm footing for the future.  Our new, more cost-effective intouch newsletter contains some of the ways AgResearch is contributing to this.

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Cracking the bovine genetic code

International recognition of genetic framework to boost agricultural sector

The prestigious US scientific journal ‘Science’ has just published the research results from the bovine genome sequencing project – a massive international collaboration including John McEwan and other AgResearch scientists, and spanning many years.

Decoding a cow’s complete DNA information has formed the critical research basis to advance genetic gain in ruminants and boost the dairy, beef and sheep industries.

The research has already had a major impact on New Zealand farming systems. Groundbreaking technology in selective breeding has sped up genetic progress in improving dairy production through whole genome selection. Estimates suggest this will increase the rate of genetic gain in the dairy industry by 50 to 70 percent.

The beef industry has also seen the emergence of products that will improve the rate of genetic gain in meat yield and quality, feed efficiency and disease traits.

The bovine genome provided the critical framework for the creation of a sheep SNP chip, and the development of commercial genetic tests for desirable traits in sheep.

For more information contact:
john.mcewan@agresearch.co.nz

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Growing health, and wealth

Transgenic technology provides new use for agricultural land

A collaboration between AgResearch and a leading international therapeutic protein pharmaceutical company hopes to pave the way for an alternative revenue source for New Zealand’s agricultural industry.

The recently signed agreement will see AgResearch produce transgenic animals to allow GTC Biotherapeutics to make monoclonal antibody drugs – protein-based drugs that resemble antibodies in our own bodies to fight disease. Herceptin, which is used to treat breast cancer, is a well-known example.

The potential to farm transgenic animals that produce pharmaceuticals provides our agricultural sector with alternative land use options. It also gives an opportunity to increase revenue from the land. The transgenic animals produce the drug protein in their milk, giving farmers a premium value milk product from which the pharmaceutical can be extracted.

For more information contact:
dawn.willix-payne@agresearch.co.nz
or
goetz.laible@agresearch.co.nz

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The Sheep Revolution

Sheep Revolution on show at Field Days

From fashion to fibre-eating nasties, AgResearch’s exhibition at the recent South Island Agricultural Field Days was all about showing how scientific research can boost wool’s value.

‘The Sheep Revolution’ exhibition showed the exceptional characteristics of AgResearch-developed woollen fabrics in garments created by top Kiwi designers for last year’s Air New Zealand Fashion Week.

A creepy crawly display highlighted an AgResearch development that will hugely benefit New Zealand’s wool carpet industry – environmentally-friendly treatments for insect resistant wool carpets.

The exciting new genomic tool the Ovine SNP chip also featured. This technology can help pinpoint commercially important traits in sheep to boost genetic gain in the industry.

For more information contact:
wayne.green@agresearch.co.nz

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Big Science – Great Results

AgResearch scientists recognised for making a difference

AgResearch’s Natural Easy Care fabric – the world’s first environmentally friendly, machine washable, tumble dryable wool suiting fabric (pictured) – has been recognised with the inaugural Product Innovation and Commercialisation Award at the 86th Textile Institute World Conference in Hong Kong, presented to Dr Surinder Tandon from AgResearch.

You can read more about AgResearch's Natural Easy Care fabric and other textiles research in the AgResearch Textiles magazine.

For more information contact:
surinder.tandon@agresearch.co.nz

Dr Warren McNabb has been appointed Professor at Massey University’s Riddet Institute, a Centre of Research Excellence focused on foods and human nutrition. The position will strengthen links between AgResearch, the Riddet Institute and Massey University.

You can read more about AgResearch's food research in the 'Big in Food' issue of AgResearch Now magazine.

For more information contact:
warren.mcnabb@agresearch.co.nz

Frank Li and Mingshu Cao have been selected for the Royal Society of New Zealand-funded delegation to contribute to an international climate change conference in Shanghai – titled Mathematical models of dynamics and control of environmental changes: scaling from genomes to ecosystems.

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