Rsnz Gm Forages Zhedits Md
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Transcript of Rsnz Gm Forages Zhedits Md
NZ Pastoral Industry Conundrum
Low cost grazing systems historically our competitive advantage, but these systems:o Need inputs - water, nutrientso Are affected by climate extremes (drought,
high temperatures)o Contribute to greenhouse gas emissions
(methane, nitrous oxide)o Do not have 1000s of years of breeding to
improve performance (unlike food crops)
Pastoral Genomics Inc.
Formed in 2002 Industry-good research consortium
between Meat & Wool New Zealand, DairyNZ, Fonterra, AgResearch, DEEResearch and matched funding from FRST
Looking specifically at pasture improvements using biotechnology techniques applied to ryegrass and clover
AgResearch Ltd
Largest Crown Research Institute Mission is to apply the depth of
experience and expertise it has in every aspect of pastoral farming and also in biotechnology to continue to build substantial competitive advantage throughout the value chain.
APPLIED DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT by PG
Improved drought tolerance
Increased year-round forage biomass
Increased quality of forages (high sugars)
APPLIED DISCOVERY forthcoming from PG
Nitrogen use efficiency
Water use efficiency
Phosphorus use efficiency
Commercialize Develop Discover
GM forages could reduce agriculture’s environmental footprint while enhancing productivity
FORAGE IMPROVEMENT THROUGH BIOTECHNOLOGY from AgResearch
High energy forage (increased lipids)
High digestibility forage (reduced lignin)
Tailored forage composition (high sugars)
More weight and milkHigh Sugar Grasses
More energy to rumenMore protein to mammal
Less protein breakdown
Less nitrogen in urine
Less greenhouse gas
Raising Energy levels in forage may improve quality and reduce GHGs
Why?• Energy levels in NZ cultivars are too low, affected by
environmental & management factorsGM approach:• “Master switch” for biosynthesis (target 5-7 fold
increase)
Why?• Drought has severe economic and animal
health effects• 4 weeks additional growth in NZ dry periods
would extend peak animal production• May also reduce irrigation costs
GM approach:• Dormant ryegrass gene now
switched on by drought
Drought tolerance could increase productivity
Unimproved
Drought tolerant cisgenic® ryegrass in the Biotron
Contains our cisgene®
Contains our cisgene®
Unimproved
Pastoral Genomics Economic Benefit estimate- Input / Output Model
Ranges depending on cultivar and adoption rate
GDP increase between $75M and $1.5B
Household income increase between $25M and $500M
Employment increase 500-8000 FTE
First field evaluation: drought-tolerant cisgenic® ryegrass
Containedproof-of-concept Field evaluation and cultivar development
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