The Board of AgResearch and Dexcel have agreed to investigate how they could work more closely together to enhance the contribution of research and development for New Zealand’s 12,500 dairy farmers.

 

The Chairman of AgResearch, New Zealand’s largest CRI, Mr Rick Christie said AgResearch has leading edge capability in a number of research areas which are important to improving productivity of dairy farms.    “This covers the span over new generation technologies from plant, animal and microbial genomics, through to farm systems and best management practices for environmental sustainability,” he said.

 

Mr Jim van der Poel, Chairman of Dexcel, and a Director of Fonterra, welcomed the agreement to look at greater collaboration between the two organisations. “This represents a commitment for the long-term benefit of the parties and more importantly the industry it seeks to serve.”

 

“Dexcel is the research organisation established to ensure New Zealand dairy farming remains profitable, internationally competitive in milk production and an attractive career for highly talented and skilled people.   It is already working in a number of key research areas which could benefit from close relationships with AgResearch scientists.  Together we would form an immensely powerful grouping of some of the world’s best pastoral research platforms.”