The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) has confirmed an investment of $1.73 million into research and product development around a deterrent grass for wildlife and insect control which is seen as having significant potential to the New Zealand agricultural economy.
This programme which has been developed by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), Grasslanz Technology and PGG Wrightson Seeds has two closely related product streams:
1. A deterrent grass seed product for wildlife management.
2. Development of high value by-products from the biomass; (straw, grass resulting from the seed production and turf clippings) of the deterrent grass.
The programme will focus on research, product development, promotion, marketing and capability building to deliver these new and innovative products to a range of markets.
The Problem
Birds can cause severe damage to an aircraft in the event of bird strike, quickly destroy fruit crops, significantly reduce the harvest of seed or grains and can become a nuisance in recreational and sporting areas or around waterways. Restricting birds from these areas has proved problematic.
The Solution
An option that may restrict birds from certain areas is to use plants that produce bioactives which act as a feeding deterrent. Fungal endophytes exist in a number of temperate grasses. Some endophytes produce bioactives which induce avoidance behaviour in cattle and sheep and these have been shown to also be effective against birds and insects when produced at higher levels.
The Benefit
There is a significant opportunity to develop and market deterrent grass seed products for both fescue and ryegrass with these endophytes. The use of deterrent grasses at airports, golf courses, parks and reserves and in horticulture has the potential to significantly reduce the impacts of insects, birds and other wildlife. There are significant benefits to end use industries. For example the cost of bird strikes and insurance for bird strikes internationally is approximately US$6 billion per annum.
This programme aims to support delivery of these new deterrent grasses to new markets throughout the world, using the PGG Wrightson Seeds global distribution network.
Nick Pyke, FAR's Chief Executive says the programme will provide New Zealand arable farmers with a unique opportunity to produce two potentially high value products. "New Zealand arable farmers are the best in the world and have proven skills, experience and expertise in high value seed production to capitalise on this opportunity. The Canterbury Plain has an excellent climate for grass seed production, linked with compatible farming systems, to ensure the production of high quality deterrent grass seed and the biopesticide by-product."
Derek Woodfield, General Manager for Research & Development at PGG Wrightson Seeds. says the programme will develop new markets for New Zealand produced grass seed. "The programme will provide PGG Wrightson Seeds with synergistic products for the turf and environmental market. These new seed products will result in increased sales of higher value grass seed to a broader range of world markets."
John Caradus, Chief Executive for Grasslanz Technology has been involved in the development of this programme since its conception. "New Zealand is the world leader in grass seed production and endophyte technology and we are excited about the potential use of this new technology" he says.
The range of skills and capabilities required to ensure the success of the programme are largely provided by the partner organisations.
Industry Collaboration aims to boost the New Zealand Agricultural Economy
