2026 Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship. Apply by 17 August 2025. Read More...

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genetics

Dorman, Jessie

The selection goal of the New Zealand dairy industry National Breeding Objective (NBO) is to identify animals whose progeny will be the most efficient converters of feed into farmer profit. Desired traits and their relative importance in the form of an economic value are combined to produce an index known as Breeding Worth (BW). This … Read more

Meads, Murray

Breed Societies have had a place in New Zealand agriculture since the late 1800’s. Breeding groups of all species of livestock began incorporating Breed Societies particularly in the early 1900’s and this practice has continued for the last 100 years. The information gathered in this report refers to Sheep and Beef Breeds predominantly, however does … Read more

Steve Poole

Biotechnology and GM are vital to feed growing populations sustainably. NZ must overcome fear-based regulations or risk losing its competitive advantage.

Craw Hamish

The New Zealand sheep breeding industry in the next ten years is likely to be more focused on breeding for traits that meet market requirements rather than breeding for on farm production. This is being driven by meat companies starting to pay on the meat value of the carcass. With the assistance of breeding tools … Read more

Tim Hale

The purpose of this project is to explore what New Zealand Farmers think about GM and whether they would consider using, or accept others using, GM plants or animals if they were approved for release into the New Zealand environment. Releasing a GM organism is an application process which no one working with GM has contemplated undertaking at this time.

Scrimgeour John, R

Getting cows in calf has always been a concern for dairy farmers. The term “close to profit” describing a cow as being close to calving and earning an income sums up the need to get cows “in-calf”. Maximising the number of cows in calf or pregnant also maximises farmers opportunity to cull cows for other … Read more

Olsen Terry

This report attempts to analyse the main drivers in the breeding of ryegrasses and what role is farmer concern playing in the direction of new varieties. – There seems to be many varieties of rye grass available for farmer selection, but are farmers themselves aware of what is happening and what production goals are being … Read more

Murray Jagger

New Zealand's agriculture dominates exports, but biotechnology faces consumer skepticism despite lacking harm evidence. Building public trust through education, transparent regulation via ERMA, and responsible communication is essential for maintaining New Zealand's competitive global advantage.

Adrian Gault

The purpose of this report is to comment on the debate and issues surrounding the Genetic Engineering (GE) debate in relationship to whether New Zealand should allow the use of GE technology or not. In determining whether New Zealand should allow the use of GE, this report looked at some of the issues impacting on … Read more

Juliet Maclean

Agriculture is no stranger to technology but new technologies rarely receive an enthusiastic welcome, particularly when they relate to emotive issues such as animals and food.  Throughout history, people have used and adapted to both the positive and negative aspects of new technologies. Initially there were over one hundred reasons given by opponents as to … Read more

Mitchell Jane, M

Aims of this report: 1. To assess the significance of crossbreeding to sheepfarming. 2. To investigate options for crossbreeding for early lamb production. 3. To provide a resource for farmers considering crossbreeding. 4. To highlight important issues for farmers considering crossbreeding. 5. To include practical information, relevant to on-farm use. 6. To focus on early … Read more

Eynon, Grant

This report aims to look at several aspects of the genetic modification debate. It is a brief overview of some of the issues and challenges facing industries involved in genetic research including the benefits and risks (perceived and otherwise). It will look at the kiwifruit industry and see how that industry fits in the overall … Read more

Todhunter, Ben

The introduction of some agricultural biotechnologies in New Zealand has created considerable controversy. The main objections concern possible harm to man, damage to the environment and discomfit about the ‘unnatural’ status of the technology. This report has therefore examined the ethical issues that are raised by the development and application of food based biotechnologies. Three … Read more

Grigg Joanna

This paper aims to layout the issues for farmers concerning the introduction of genetically engineered seeds and animals into the farm system. This informal paper is designed to be a ‘starting point’ for sheep and beef farmers who are interested in finding out what benefits and risks the technology of genetic engineering may hold for … Read more

Coats, Ted

Livestock Improvement Corporation is presently undertaking a major review of genetic and production evaluations it provides to the New Zealand dairy industry. The Animal Evaluation Review is investigating the use of a sophisticated method of producing animal evaluations known as the Animal Model. The review is now looking into methods of combining the individual trait … Read more

Van Reenen, G

The transfer and adoption of scientific information in New Zealand agriculture is below optimal levels. This is particularly so in regard to genetic improvements in the sheep industry. The New Zealand sheep industry has experienced declining revenue versus expenditure ratios for two decades. Drastic changes in attitudes, policies and strategies will be required in all … Read more

Hart, Reese

The purpose of this project is to evaluate exotic sheep that have been introduced into N.Z, and to see if they can benefit the Meat Industry by lifting the quality of our lamb carcasses. I will give background information on the development of the Sheep and the Meat Industry to date. I will also outline … Read more