January 29, 2014

New Zealand to expand research on beef genetics

Over the next five years, the government of New Zealand will inject NZD15 million (US$12.4 million) in boosting genetic research to improve sheep and beef profitability, as announced by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

A new partnership called Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics will bring together existing sheep and beef genetics researchers Sheep Improvement Ltd, the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Central Progeny Test, and Ovita to run the programme.

Total funding for the new project from government and industry sources will be up to NZD8.8 million (US$7.3 million) a year.

Joyce said science and innovation were major drivers of economic growth and international competitiveness, and the purpose-driven research would benefit New Zealand. He said genetic improvement in the sheep industry had contributed greatly to farm profitability.

Over the next 10 years work by Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics is expected to deliver NZD5.90 (US$4.90) extra profit to farmers for each lamb sold. For every dollar captured on farm, it is estimated another NZD0.50 (US$0.41) is captured off-farm.

The funding, contributed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, will go towards expanding research in beef genetics, and allow both the beef and sheep industries to improve genetic gains by developing new traits to satisfy the increasing trend of farming in hill-country environments.

Joyce said the genetics project would help improve meat quality, contribute directly to improving on-farm profitability, and ensure the needs of consumers were being met.