Co-location based on Lincoln and Palmerston North will deliver much greater integration of science to deliver solutions to on-farm challenges, acting AgResearch chief executive Andrew McSweeney writes.
AgResearch has had a long and proud history of delivering science for the agri-sector, providing New Zealand's farmers and food industry with the kind of science that enables them to grow profitability, in a socially and environmentally acceptable manner.
It also allows us to remain competitive and to succeed in our export markets.
Part of sustaining that success is making sure our scientists have modern facilities, and are in the best locations with other research providers and industry partners, to deliver the best outcomes for New Zealand.
The recent announcement of AgResearch's plans to align its infrastructure with its strategy, to create more value for farmers, has generated significant debate in Otago.
Our current plans are about how we ensure we provide solutions to the national and regional science challenges that farmers face, in the most effective way.
Global trends in research show that this can be best achieved through collaboration between tertiary institutions, other research organisations, industry bodies and private-sector companies. It also requires modern scientific facilities.
In line with this our plan to reinvest $100 million to modernise our science facilities, co-locate our capability, and participate in large agriculture innovation hubs, reflects our goal of achieving the best possible science for our sector.
We developed our current plan with our staff and our partners - those organisations and individuals that represent the needs of the sector, including local farmers. It was through that process that Lincoln and Grasslands (Palmerston North) were identified as the best locations for co-locating our scientists to address national science issues as part of large innovation hubs.
There has been some concern expressed about the transfer of our deer, reproduction and animal genomics scientists to Lincoln. We believe their co-location there with agricultural farm systems, and supporting technology platforms, is paramount. Co-location will deliver much greater integration of science to deliver solutions to on-farm challenges. This has the potential to deliver much greater value to the sector than can be achieved by the status quo.
Our plans will see fewer staff at Invermay, but the campus will remain a vital part of AgResearch.
The Otago/Southland region has seen significant change in farming over the last 20 years with the growth of dairying and associated land-use change. This creates unique regional issues and our Invermay campus will be focused on these challenges for the long term.
Therefore, we envisage future growth in environmental and farm systems staff at Invermay to meet these specific needs. To achieve this we will continue to work with key national organisations including Beef and Lamb NZ, Dairy NZ, Deer Industry New Zealand and the two regional councils: Otago Regional Council and Environment Southland.
As DairyNZ CEO Dr Tim Mackle has said, it's not about quantity, but ensuring the right mix of skills to ensure the regional strength and focus of research is sustained. Our plan includes building capabilities at all our campuses so that our work is relevant to regional issues, and stakeholder and farmer needs.
Lastly, to correct some reports, it is incorrect that AgResearch has refused to meet with local leaders or that they have not been offered briefings on our plans. Throughout the process, we have offered briefings to local stakeholders and, up until our staff consultation was completed, there was very little take-up of these by local councils. We are now looking forward to positive ongoing dialogue.
We do recognise the impact that our plans have on our staff, and the local community, however we feel that the New Zealand farming and food sector overall will be better for the changes we are planning.
The sector is New Zealand's major economic engine and AgResearch has an important role to play in helping drive that through innovation. The $100 million reinvestment programme that we are planning will bring significant benefits to New Zealand long into the future.
