Agricultural Development THE New Zealand ADV ANTAGE world leading capability in agricultural education, training, research and consultancy New Zealand’s natural advantages include a temperate climate and fertile soils that make it ideal for almost all land-based production from sheep and cattle, to cropping, horticulture, forestry and viticulture. New Zealand’s geographic isolation has resulted in a natural environment and unique disease-free animal populations. Around the world, New Zealand is well known for high regulatory standards, quality assured production methods and a long tradition of innovative research and technology in agricultural development. As a leader in addressing issues of sustainability and environmental impact in the management of its natural and food resources, New Zealand’s expertise is widely sought after and applied by other countries. New Zealand farmers have always been quick to adopt new methods and technologies, building a long history of agricultural excellence. With around 14 million hectares of land in primary production and farming systems that graze animals outdoors all year round, New Zealand farmers have pioneered well adapted and effective systems to maintain and improve pastures. There is a strong focus on animal health and welfare and on natural controls for pests, diseases and parasites. New Zealand has achieved many world first agricultural innovations in areas such as pasture establishment, soil testing, soil and water conservation, genetics, animal health, pest control, milking, shearing and stock handling. Agricultural products from New Zealand are also in global demand. This includes meat, fruit, wine and dairy products. New Zealand has the world’s lowest cost dairy industry and its dairy cows produce some of the world’s highest quality milk. A long standing partnership between science and farming underpins New Zealand’s agricultural advantage. There has been continuous investment over many decades in research and development to improve farming systems, productivity and sustainability, and add value to New Zealand’s products. The principles underpinning New Zealand’s low-input, sustainable production systems are suitable for a wide range of climates and environments. By sharing its successes and the information, expertise and experiences it has accumulated over many years, New Zealand is well placed to help overseas partners revolutionise farming. Agriculture is the backbone of New Zealand’s economy. Over nearly two centuries, New Zealand has developed world leading farming and food production systems and associated knowledge and capability. Agricultural education and training Agricultural development is a major focus for the New Zealand education system with a range of tertiary institutions offering specialised education and training, at all levels, for work in the agricultural sector. New Zealand’s universities are internationally known for their agricultural and horticultural qualifications. A national qualifications framework in New Zealand provides quality assurance for over 200 programmes for careers in the agricultural industries. Education is available at all levels, from industry training and technical and business qualifications through to graduate and postgraduate study. Students have access to excellent on-site facilities and are offered work placement experience in the industry. The expertise of teaching staff is outstanding with most having had international experience and maintaining a strong network of connections across the world. Other vocational and professional courses that focus on practical learning are delivered by state funded Institutes of Technology, which work alongside industry training organisations to ensure training is relevant, innovative, and matched to changing industry demands. Private training establishments also offer a wide range of courses, designed to deliver specific skill sets and knowledge. The education offered is diverse with providers specialising in areas ranging from fundamental science, business and engineering for the primary industries through to agritechnology, animal science, biosecurity and environmental development and sustainability for various farming systems. There is powerful capability in providing management training and professional development for senior staff in the food and agribusiness industries. Training courses follow best practice and are benchmarked to well regarded and internationally recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Many overseas students choose New Zealand to study agriculture, taking the skills and knowledge gained back to their home countries. New Zealand is also ideally placed to tailor training in its agricultural models and methods for other countries through joint ventures, partnerships, offshore campuses and e-learning. Agricultural research and consultancy Over many decades, an extensive network of research and development organisations in New Zealand has gathered substantial, world class knowledge about the pastoral industries. This knowledge base continues to grow and to be applied locally and globally by many skilled and expert consultancy services. Crown research institutes and universities carry out high quality science research for New Zealand and overseas clients. A quality evaluation system for university research funding in New Zealand has given an ‘A’ rating to over 400 individual researchers, signalling the world leading calibre of their work in terms of originality, significance and rigour. Private consulting companies also provide agricultural expertise within New Zealand and offshore. What New Zealand Offers • High quality education and training in agricultural development at all levels with a practical focus and delivered in a range of settings. • Teaching staff with outstanding expertise and experience in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, agribusiness and other supporting disciplines. • Best practice training courses delivered in New Zealand or offshore. • Agricultural training models and methods that can be easily adapted to help other economies revolutionise farming. • Access to world class research and consultancy services to propel pastoral industries forward. Further Information To find out more about agricultural education, training, research and consultancy in New Zealand visit the websites of the organisations overleaf, or contact your nearest New Zealand Trade and Enterprise office: nzte.govt.nz Key Organisations Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is the New Zealand government agency responsible for sustainable economic development of New Zealand’s agriculture, food and forestry sectors. MAF is also in charge of biosecurity and food safety. MAF is responsible for maintaining New Zealand’s stringent regulatory regime which ensures the safety of locally produced and imported foods. It also manages biosecurity, protecting New Zealand from pests and diseases through border control and eradication and mitigation programmes. MAF advises the New Zealand government on a range of industries including agriculture, food and forestry and on issues including animal welfare, rural affairs, biosecurity and food safety. Its advice feeds into policy covering the full value chain from resources to market access. In addition, MAF administers a Sustainable Farming Fund for rural initiatives and manages state owned forestry assets. maf.govt.nz Lincoln University Capability in education, training and research and consultancy Lincoln University, near Christchurch, has a proud heritage in agricultural education spanning 130 years. Established in 1878 as Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln has evolved into a specialist university with a strong focus on land-based disciplines and their associated industries. Lincoln offers more than 500 course options ranging from certificate to degree level study and specialist programmes at masters, doctoral and post-doctoral level. Areas of focus include Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Commerce, Food Industry Commerce, Natural Resources, Environmental Management, Science and Viticulture and Oenology. As well as developing teaching strengths in agricultural commerce, business and enterprise, Lincoln has built close links with industry groups and community interests ensuring knowledge feeds into industry initiatives and debate. The university’s programmes have a strong focus on sustainability. Lincoln provides research, development and consultancy services to industry and government and its research centres are at the forefront of international knowledge. It hosts the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies, the Centre of Soil and Environment Quality and the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation. The Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit focuses on the socio-economic impacts of development and its work feeds into decisions about trade negotiations, environmental policy and industry policy. Lincoln has academic alliances with complementary institutions in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. lincoln.ac.nz Massey University Capability in education and training and research and consultancy Massey University has an 80 year tradition of academic excellence across a comprehensive range of disciplines, following its early recognition as New Zealand’s premier institution for land based science, teaching and research. Today, the university continues to play a lead role in adding value to the agricultural sector in New Zealand. The College of Science offers a wide range of programmes from certificate to postgraduate level and has eight research-focused Institutes that address real-life problems facing society worldwide. Massey has world class standing in the area of food technology and hosts the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health which researches advanced foods and biological products. It is also home to the Institute of Natural Resources which focuses on the study and management of ecosystems. The Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Science is a world leader in knowledge about animal health and welfare, biosecurity, conservation and sustainable pasture production. Massey is also highly regarded for its programmes in agricommerce. Massey’s Bio Commerce Centre supports the commercialisation of new knowledge in the science and business communities by incubating fledgling technology-based businesses with potential to produce globally competitive products and services. Massey University has campuses at Albany (Auckland), Palmerston North and Wellington and a 40 year history offering distance learning study programmes to 17,000 students in New Zealand and around the world. massey.ac.nz University of Canterbury Capability in education and training and research and consultancy The University of Canterbury is located in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. It has a tradition of academic excellence and a strong research culture. Canterbury offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in over 50 disciplines. Canterbury hosts specialist centres focused on bioengineering, aquaculture and marine ecology, biosafety, wood technology and is also home to the New Zealand ICT Innovation Institute. The School of Forestry at Canterbury offers an internationally respected and unique professional forestry degree programme from undergraduate to doctoral level. The school has diverse research interests and capability covering areas from forest harvesting, soils and management to forest ecology and wood and science technology. Graduates are typically employed in forestry and natural resource management of native and plantation forests in New Zealand and overseas, processing and marketing wood and wood products and rural and urban tree planting programmes. Canterprise Limited, the university’s commercialisation and knowledge transfer company, offers contract research, consulting and the commercialisation of intellectual property. canterbury.ac.nz Unitec New Zealand Capability in education and training From its two campuses in Auckland, Unitec New Zealand offers a portfolio of programmes across a range of professional and vocational areas. Animal health and welfare is a key strength and Unitec’s degree programme in this field is delivered by a team of staff which includes internationally recognised scientists and veterinarians who are well connected with relevant organisations around the world. A Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and certificates in animal care and management are also offered and students are given many opportunities for real world learning in the work place. Other programmes at Unitec focus on conservation, floristry and training in horticulture for people entering the industry, and those wanting to further their career. unitec.ac.nz The Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC) Capability in education and training Located in a catchment area of 6,000 dairy farmers, Wintec has been teaching agriculture for over 25 years. Its main campus is in Hamilton with satellite campuses in Auckland and the towns of Thames and Te Kuiti. Wintec’s School of Science and Primary Industries offers programmes in agriculture, amenity horticulture, arboriculture, floristry, landscape design and installation and veterinary nursing. Its purpose built facilities include the latest technology and it has a specialist Horticulture Education Centre situated in the world renowned Hamilton Gardens. In partnership with other organisations, Wintec delivers specialist distance and e-learning for an expanding range of high quality, fully assessed courses and programmes. wintec.ac.nz Telford Rural Polytechnic Capability in education and training Dedicated to the primary sector, Telford Rural Polytechnic has a 41 year history of providing vocational training to support the rural community. Located in the south of the South Island, Telford is an 820 hectare property that includes a number of farm units where students learn practical farming skills. These include dairy, sheep and farm forestry units and a horticultural unit. Education and training is offered at sub degree level in farm management and agribusiness, horticulture, forestry, apiculture, rural fire and rescue, equine studies and rural safety. telford.ac.nz Agriculture Industry Training Organisation (AgITO) Capability in education, training and consulting The Agriculture Industry Training Organisation is one of New Zealand’s largest ITOs, each year helping more than 8,000 people to develop careers in the agriculture industry. Areas of focus include dairy, sheep and beef farming, agrichemical supply, pest control, pork, poultry, rural servicing, wool harvesting, artificial insemination and herd testing and water treatment and reticulation. AgITO’s expertise is being made available overseas through a subsidiary company, Agricultural Services Limited, which also provides project management and consulting services for the primary sector. AgITO develops training and resources for teachers of agriculture and horticulture and works with leading industry groups to develop training programmes that bring best practice onto farms. AgITO has developed an online library of resources for agriculture and horticulture education. agricultureito.ac.nz New Zealand Industry Training Organisation (NZITO) Capability in education and training The New Zealand Industry Training Organisation provides analysis of training needs and the development and delivery of training programmes for the dairy, meat and leather processing industries. Its Dairy Industry Graduate Training Programme develops young people with the potential to become technical leaders and managers in the dairy industry. NZITO has developed free e-learning resources in occupational health and safety, dairy technology, meat processing, competitive manufacturing and communications. It also has training and consultancy expertise in milk collection, the process supply chain for dairy, meat, leather and skin manufacturing. NZITO’s expertise is being applied offshore in partnership with New Zealand dairy company Fonterra. It is also expanding its e-learning and consultancy networks to help transfer New Zealand skills and training capability to other countries. nzito.co.nz New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (NZHortITO) Capability in education and training Since its establishment in 1992, the New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training organisation has developed and registered more than 400 horticultural study units and offers eight national certificates in horticulture. It provides horticulture based training for around 2,000 people at any one time with students regularly assessed by qualified workplace assessors and trainers. Areas of focus include fruit production, nursery production, viticulture, floristry and arboriculture. NZHortITO has a growing international focus and is well placed to provide industry-based horticulture training programmes for overseas countries. hortito.org.nz Forest Industries Training and Education Council (FITEC) Capability in education and training The Forest Industries Training and Education Council is an industry-owned organisation focused on all aspects of education and training for New Zealand’s economically important forestry sector. It provides quality assured qualifications in forestry, wood panels, pulp and paper, tissue converting, solid wood processing and furniture production. FITEC oversees a diverse range of forestry career pathways offered through secondary schools, private training establishments, industry training and universities. FITEC is exporting its expertise in training and assessment frameworks to other countries. fitec.org.nz National Trade Academy (NTA) Capability in education and training Based in Christchurch in the South Island, the National Trade Academy offers courses designed to prepare students for a career in agriculture. The NTA training farm has around 90 hectares of land developed into a dry stock farm with all students involved in developing and managing livestock and the farm itself. NTA’s training programmes focus on dairy, beef, deer or mixed cropping farming, the equine industry, pest control, forestry and parks and conservation. Students are encouraged to build on their training at NTA by completing national certificates offered through industry training organisations. nta.co.nz Agriculture New Zealand (ANZ) Capability in education and training Agriculture New Zealand Training is one of New Zealand’s largest private training establishments delivering agricultural and horticultural training to more than 3,000 learners each year at 16 locations around the country. The company provides high quality, accredited courses on behalf of industry training organisations. This includes programmes for farm and orchard workers and owners, and agribusiness and industry executives. ANZ provides a full year of training, in both theory and practice, for careers in the dairy industry. ANZ is a subsidiary of PGG Wrightson, New Zealand’s largest rural servicing company. pggwrightson.co.nz Agresearch Capability in research and consultancy AgResearch is New Zealand’s largest government-funded Crown Research Institute and has five specialist research centres around the country. Its activities are focused on the sustainability and profitability of New Zealand’s pastoral sector and developing and exporting biotechnologies and systems. The agriculture and environment science and research group works with farmers to encourage the uptake of new systems and technologies. AgResearch’s applied biotechnologies group specialises in genomics and reproductive research to deliver better grasses and animals while its food and textiles group develops new products and technologies to meet global demand. AgResearch also carries out most of New Zealand’s wool research and is developing new processing and manufacturing capabilities for wool. AgResearch collaborates with other partners to host national research centres in biosecurity and infectious diseases, reproduction and genomics and animal health. AgResearch is well connected internationally holding research collaboration agreements with more than 100 organisations around the world and strategic collaborative partnerships with a range of countries. agresearch.co.nz Hortresearch Capability in research and consultancy HortResearch is a world leader in fruit research using New Zealand’s unique resources and sustainable production systems to provide novel technologies and innovative products with high consumer appeal. The Crown Research Institute has established one of the world’s largest fruit gene and compound databases as well as leading edge scientific capability in plant breeding, tree, vine and fruit physiology. Other areas of strength include crop management and fruit quality optimisation, insect and disease control solutions, postharvest and process technologies and developing novel flavours, fragrances and functional foods. HortResearch is dedicated to researching ways of improving human health, wellbeing and performance. It works closely with industry partners to identify the intrinsic benefits found within foods and determine how these can be enhanced or extracted and delivered to consumers in a safe, tasty and convenient way. HortResearch is a partner in the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies and provides its research and consultancy expertise to a growing number of international partners. hortresearch.co.nz Crop & Food Research Capability in research and consultancy Crown Research Institute Crop & Food Research works with industry to create the foods and beverages of the future. It uses its research and development capability to help companies and industries transform high quality raw materials into high value foods, beverages, ingredients and other products. Crop & Food Research also has growing expertise in sustainable crop production. Crop & Food Research has business and research partners in New Zealand and overseas and is focused on a range of areas including horticulture, arable production, seafood, dairy products and food manufacturing and exporting. The company aims to develop long term relationships with its clients by providing services that are timely, efficient, relevant and easy to access. Crop & Food Research has forged strong links internationally with a range of research networks, universities and research providers. crop.cri.nz Fonterra Capability in research and consulting Fonterra is responsible for more than a third of international dairy trade, supplying customers and consumers in more than 140 countries. It is New Zealand’s largest private sector investor in research and development with a strong commitment to innovation and to working with external partners to find new products and technologies. Fonterra has delivered many world leading innovations in dairy processing and manufacturing and in consumer products. It owns ViaLactia Biosciences, a biotechnology company that identifies, discovers and commercialises methods of selection and genes important to the dairy industry. It is also a partner in LactoPharma which discovers and commercialises biomedical components in milk to identify new food ingredients, nutraceuticals and drug leads. Fonterra is involved in a number of environmental initiatives to improve sustainability in the dairy industry. The company has numerous ties with New Zealand universities, research organisations and businesses and is extensively networked internationally through joint ventures, partnerships and direct ownership. fonterra Scion Capability in research and consultancy Crown Research Institute Scion is focused on applying its deep knowledge of plantation forestry, wood and fibre to developing new biomaterials from renewable plant resources. Major research areas include commercial forestry, biomaterials and biomaterials engineering and sustainable consumer products. In addition to its research expertise in materials that provide alternatives to synthetic products, Scion has commercial units which develop software for the forestry industry and provide laboratory testing services for soil, foliage, wastewater and wood. Scion provides research and development services to the forestry sector through Ensis, a joint venture with Australia’s CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products. Ensis has large expert teams capable of tackling complex problems at a scale that will help the sector remain globally competitive. scionresearch AsureQuality Limited Capability in consulting AsureQuality Limited is a certification body with a 110 year history of providing technically sophisticated and robust food safety and biosecurity services to the food industries in New Zealand and Australia. The company employs specialist inspectors and auditors who serve many industries including horticulture, dairy, meat, food processing, water, arable and forestry. AsureQuality delivers products and services to more than 40 countries and maintains an extensive suite of international accreditations for certifying food products and processes for both conventional and organic operations. It is the most qualified and internationally accredited supplier of food safety and biosecurity services in the Southern Hemisphere. asurequality 10 LIC Capability in research and consulting LIC is a farm improvement company owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and providing products and services to the global dairy, beef and deer industries. Its expertise ranges from animal recording, testing and health management to consultancy services, research and development and DNA analysis. LIC holds a unique national database which offers traceability, world class genetic improvement systems and laboratory and automation solutions for animal performance management. Based in the Waikato region, LIC has regional bases around New Zealand, direct representation in Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom and agencies in other parts of the world. lic.co.nz PGG Wrightson Capability in research and consulting Drawing on the knowledge of 2,700 staff and the expertise of diverse business units, alliances and partnerships, PGG Wrightson is New Zealand’s largest and only nationwide provider to the agricultural sector. The company also has growing operations in Australia and South America. PGG Wrightson (Seeds) is a major investor in research. It has built up world leading capability in seed and grain research and development and delivers improved products to farmers through plant genetics, seed enhancement and forage animal performance. The consulting arm of PGG Wrightson employs highly experienced on-farm consultants who help improve farm productivity and profitability. The consultancy team continually updates its knowledge and expertise using information sources and research from New Zealand and around the world. PGG Wrightson has strong international connections, developing products specifically for offshore countries, forming research collaborations and exporting New Zealand farming systems to other parts of the world. pggwrightson.co.nz AbacusBio Capability in consulting AbacusBio Limited offers expertise that provides the bridge between science and business in the areas of biotechnology, agritechnology and agribusiness. The company was formed by a group of internationally recognised scientists and consultants with many years experience in commercialising technological innovations. It provides advice on strategic development and investment, genetic improvement, technology transfer and commercialisation, on-farm systems and project and company management. 11 Specialist software products developed by AbacusBio are targeted at livestock breeders and provide a suite of tools to maximise profits, genetic diversity and business progress. AbacusBio teams work in New Zealand and internationally. abacus.bio Hill Laboratories Capability in consulting Hill Laboratories is New Zealand’s largest privately owned testing laboratory providing services to clients with a focus on the environment, agriculture, horticulture and the production of food and biological products. It provides analytical testing services to gauge environmental impacts, the make-up and quality of soils, plant tissues and animal feed and to certify that food producing companies are meeting their regulatory responsibilities. Hill Laboratories also provides specialised air quality testing to ensure safe working conditions or assess impacts on the environment. Hill Laboratories has an approved containment facility in New Zealand where it can test samples from any country. The company is expanding its business internationally, opening offices overseas and working with global agrochemical and veterinary drug companies. hill-labs.co.nz Gallagher Group Capability in research and consulting Gallagher’s Animal Management Systems division has a wealth of experience and expertise in permanent and portable animal control and animal management. The company has a strong focus on research and development and has developed a number of world leading technologies. This includes SmartPower, intelligent electric fence technology that automatically adjusts power output onto fences and generates alarms when intervention is required. Other innovations include a solar powered and environmentally friendly energiser for electric fencing systems. Gallagher’s is also known for its unique weighing and electronic ear tag systems. Gallagher’s has distribution channels in more than 130 countries and aims to be the global leader in innovation, manufacture and marketing of products and services for animal and security management. gallagher.co.nz Innovation Waikato Capability in research and consulting The Waikato Innovation Park is dedicated to strengthening innovation in the region’s world leading agritechnology and agribiotechnology sectors. Waikato has one of the highest ratios of scientists per capita in the world with a quarter of the research undertaken in New Zealand occurring in this region. Home to 50 companies who share business and professional services, the Waikato Innovation Park is located next to the world famous Ruakura Research Centre, a centre of agricultural excellence, and also in close proximity to the University of Waikato. Innovation Waikato has deep expertise in the life sciences, agritechnology, ICT and high-tech sectors and a culture of collaboration and innovation between research, entrepreneurs and business. In addition to building capability within New Zealand, Innovation Waikato is focused on developing collaborative research and commercial ventures overseas. innovationwaikato.co.nz Dairy Projects International Capability in consulting Dairy Projects International are specialists in New Zealand’s pastoral dairy systems from pasture management to profitable milk production and harvest. The company has many years experience in farm management consultancy, dairy conversion projects, designing and constructing milking systems and efficient, low cost milk production. The company exports its consultancy services and its expertise in products and systems for the dairy industry. dpi.net.nz MerialAncare Capability in research and consulting MerialAncare brings together the innovation underpinning two leading animal health companies, Ancare and Merial, to create a business that is a major force for New Zealand agriculture. Ancare has a proud history of developing and selling innovative animal health products to customers in New Zealand and internationally including a number of world first drenches, drug delivery systems, vaccines and biological controls. Its research and development arm operates as Ancare Scientific and develops products for Merial New Zealand, which market them globally using years of experience in providing products and solutions that enhance the health, well being and performance of animals. MerialAncare has research connections with universities in New Zealand and direct links with the Merial parent company, which is the world’s largest investor in animal health research. merial.co.nz NZ Agritech Incorporated Capability in consulting New Zealand Agritech Incorporated is focused on developing the New Zealand agricultural technology industry and growing profitable agritech businesses through local and export initiatives. Its membership includes diverse businesses producing a wide range of products and services ranging from milking equipment and animal health remedies to livestock feed and performance data. Around the world, NZ Agritech promotes New Zealand capability in farming systems and in producing high quality, high tech products. It helps members strengthen their distribution networks offshore and works with other New Zealand agencies to promote New Zealand agritechnology in key markets. agritech.org.nz 9780478313284
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 14:00:58 +0000
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