Invermay

The mood at Invermay is ''awful'' following AgResearch's decision to go ahead with restructuring, a researcher who recently visited Dunedin says.

AgResearch has made some changes to its plan to slash jobs at Invermay, but the majority of staff will still be moving north to Lincoln.

AgResearch's decision to largely stick with plans to slash jobs at Invermay has just become an election issue, with Labour vowing to overturn the move if elected.

Perendale sheep breeders have entered the debate over restructuring at Invermay, suggesting the move of ''world-class research'' to Lincoln be put on hold for two years after the planned shift.

Farmers at Beef and Lamb New Zealand's annual meeting made an almost unanimous call for AgResearch to carry out more consultation over its plan to slash Invermay jobs.

AgResearch scientists are developing a new parentage and breed assignment test for deer using SNP technology.

A suggestion that a company, involving various stakeholders, be formed to buy Invermay has been described as a ''nice idea in theory'' but one that would probably not work in practice.

AgResearch's admission it largely squandered $15.5 million on buildings in 2007 and 2008 inspires little confidence its latest plan will be a success, two former staff say.