Dairy farm research to boost value

AgResearch is to spend $6 million on creating a dairy research and development farm to boost the value of the province's exports.

Andy West, the Hamilton-based chief executive of the crown research institute, said AgResearch planned to convert its existing dry stock farm, at Tokanui, near Te Awamutu, to dairying.

Dr West said the future of New Zealand dairy farming, buoyed by a record $7.90/kg milksolids payout offset by rising costs and the drought, was to differentiate milk behind the farm gate before it got to the processing factory.

"We are setting up this farm to undertake research on different types of high-value milk influenced by the cow's own genetics, feed regimes, management regimes and various therapies," he said last night at a dinner on the eve of the 40th Fieldays.

The development, in collaboration with Lincoln University, Innovation Waikato and the Coalition of 21st Century high schools, will allow New Zealand's agritechnology companies to test their latest technologies and see how they work alongside other technologies under real farming conditions. Dr West hoped Wintec and Waikato University would also use the farm.

"It will not be restricted to R&D, but will include education and training for school students to PhD students to the existing dairy farming workforce. It will also play a role in commercialisation."