New Zealand backs climate-resilient grass project – Asia News

The goal of a new project is to breed grasses designed to thrive in a changing climate.”Grazing AcceleratorAs announced by New Zealand’s Agriculture Minister Damian O’Connor, with the support of the Govt.

“New Zealand’s unique grazing system is the foundation of our largest export sector. With food and fiber export earnings expected to rise to a record $62 billion by 2027, it’s important to ensure our pastures and soils are healthy in the future in the face of climate change,” said Damien O’Connor.

The new project will focus on genetic technology that combines genetic information and physical information to speed up the traditional breeding process.

“Ryegrass will be bred to withstand heat and use nitrogen more efficiently, with an emphasis on growing stronger, higher-yielding clovers. Improved yields are estimated to increase farmer incomes by about $1 billion by 2040,” said Damien O’Connor.

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The government is providing $8.4 million over seven years through the Ministry of Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fiber Futures (SFF Futures) Fund. Barenbrug, Grasslands Innovation Limited (a joint venture in which PGG Wrightson Seeds is the majority shareholder) and DairyNZ will provide the remainder in cash and in-kind. AgResearch is the main research partner. Barenbrook and BGG Wrightson Seeds will use the research results.

The work, based on a successful collaborative project by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, called Pastoral Genomics, demonstrated the effectiveness of genetic selection applied to ray-grass. Damien O’Connor said it was encouraging to see two of the biggest players in New Zealand’s seed industry collaborating on such an important issue.

In the face of a changing climate, it is important to ensure that our pastures and soils are healthy for the future

“Climate change is forcing business as usual, and the seed industry recognizes the importance of working together to find solutions. This collaborative approach promises a better opportunity to help our farmers succeed in a warming world,” said O’Connor.

“The Government’s investment in this program will ensure farmers reap the benefits of improved pasture much sooner, and is an example of the work the Government is doing to future-proof our economy against the effects of climate change.”

“This will help us achieve the objectives of the government and industry roadmap for the food and fiber sector, ‘Fit for a Better World’, which aims to increase sustainability, productivity and employment over the next decade,” concluded Damien O’Connor.